Media score Panagbenga deputized marshals

A PETITION decrying how media marshals treated Manila-based and local mediamen during the coverage of street dancing and float parades last Saturday and Sunday is circulating nationally.

A portion of the petition complained that local media were treated like second class citizens in their own turf and their freedom suppressed by marshals led by Deltacom, a communications group tapped by Panagbenga executive committee to regulate movement of the media coverage of the event.

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The quality of output was likewise affected due to limited movement.

As of March 1, there are 45 signatories from both local and Manila-based media.

“We, legitimate members of the working press, protest and denounce in the strongest possible terms the evident curtailment of press freedom in the conduct of our coverage of the Panagbenga 2010 activities,” a portion of the petition stated.

Signatories to the petition said the marshals not only curtailed their movement, but also treated them harshly.

The petition did not specifically contain how the curtailment was done but in separate interviews with colleagues, marshals allegedly blocked the vantage point of photojournalists and it was their members who freely took pictures as they dominated the center portion of the road.

Andrew Pinero, head of the media committee, acknowledged receiving complaints. He said he immediately acted on these complaints and admonished the team leader of Deltacom.

“They are just there to implement the rules and exercise maximum tolerance,” he said.

Pinero said he was not aware that Deltacom, at the last minute, called for reinforcement from other members in Pangasinan and Tarlac.

“Hindi yata sila na-briefing nang husto, pero yung mga Baguio-based na Deltacom, alam na nila ang patakaran,” Pinero said, but stressed the complaint was immediately addressed so that on the second day of coverage, incidents similar to what happened on the first day were not heard anymore.

“We welcome the sentiment of our colleagues. It gave us an idea by helping improve policies on coverage,” Pinero said, lamenting the petitioners failed to acknowledge that the execom provided some requests of media, such as the installation of foot bridges to facilitate movement of photojournalists and hobbyists without having to block the view of the crowd, provision of meals, and accommodation of request for the holding of a photo contest for both local and Manila-based practitioners.

The same petition stated press identification cards (IDs) should suffice without need of a separate accreditation ID.

Pinero said before the Hotels and Restaurants and Association of Baguio was tasked to handle the Panagbenga, past organizers imposed an accreditation process, which media also complied.

Along with the issuance of accreditation cards is their acknowledgement that there are guidelines to be followed during coverage,” Pinero explained.

He added that other festivals also have guidelines and an accreditation process during coverage.

A portion of the petition also alleged that despite a stringent accreditation process, non-media members are given IDs.

Pinero said the media committee is ready to investigate if the petitioners could specify whom the ID was given and who issued it.

“We were strict in the screening and issuance of IDs,” Pinero said.

He said interns were accommodated but were required to submit endorsement letters from the editors, publishers or station managers where they hold their on-the-job trainings.

“Who are we to say no when these media outfits need additional manpower during the coverage,” he said.

The petition also stated there should be genuine consultation among media and not just information dissemination sessions about Panagbenga media policies before these are implemented.

Pinero said he feels the forums the execom called are consultations, as there was an exchange of ideas during those times.

He assured the media committee will continually improve its policies to assure better coverage in the future.

Copies of the signed protest will be forwarded to the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation on Friday, and will be furnished to concerned government offices or entities. (Rimaliza Opiña)