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Saturday, September 27, 2003
Local media, NUJP, to label Valencia city as 'media hotspot'
By Lizanilla Amarga
A GROUP of local journalists are planning to declare Valencia City, Bukidnon as a "press freedom hot spot," said the Cagayan de Oro City chapter of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP-Cagayan de Oro) yesterday.
This came amid reports that officials of a news media company and Valencia, Bukidnon Mayor Jose Galario forged an "amicable settlement" this week in order to end the brewing controversy over last week's closure of radio station
dxMV-Radyo Ukay.
NUJP-Cagayan de Oro coordinator Herbie Gomez said in a statement that their chapter and the Cagayan de Oro Press Club (COPC) condemned the exit of a dxMV broadcaster described to be "unfriendly" to Galario."
He said dxMV broadcaster Arlene Ayon became a "sacrificial lamb" of sorts when she lost her job in protest against the University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network (UMBN) decision that barred her from going on air.
"I was told that I would no longer be going on air because there was already an agreement between Galario and the station," said Gomez quoting Ayon in a telephone interview.
Meanwhile, COPC president Jerry Orcullo lashed out at UMBN for "kneeling down and "surrendering" to Galario.
"Here we are fighting for your right to speak and you gave up just like that," said a visibly irked Orcullo, speaking to dxMV manager Nonita Rosales over the phone.
He recounted how he was told by Rosales that Ayon's resignation was a decision of the UMBN management.
"What was really compromised was the interest of dxMV's listeners, the people, from whom UMBN's right to broadcast really comes from," Orcullo said.
He added that press freedom cannot and should never be compromised.
On Sunday, Orcullo and the local NUJP raised the issue on the alleged shutdown on dxMV by the Valencia city hall during a "Solidarity Run for Press Freedom" in Cagayan de Oro, an activity that coincided with the commemoration of the declaration of martial law.
Orcullo said COPC and NUJP leaders would meet and discuss a proposal to declare Valencia as a "press freedom hot spot" in view of the recent events.
He said organized journalists would also discuss other options.
Gomez in a statement described what happened to Ayon as "another dangerous form of censorship", adding that the "message is very clear: say or write something that Mayor Galario dislikes and you lose your job."
The COPC and NUJP leaders said the Valencia case would have a "chilling effect" on journalists who are performing their "watchdog role".
Gomez also called on Bukidnon Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri to do something about the problem. "How can Gov. Zubiri allow such a thing to happen in his province?," he asked.
Valencia is a component city of Bukidnon and the most progressive place in the province.
Over DxIF-Bombo Radyo yesterday, Galario said he respects the freedom of the press and that he never ordered dxMV padlocked, saying he knew he did not have the right to close down the radio station.
He said what he did was merely revoke the business permit of the UMBN-owned station for alleged violation of a city ordinance.
Ayon laughed off Galario's claim, saying dxMV personnel had to remove the padlock when they decided to defy the closure order on Sept. 18. "It was padlocked," she said.
Documents also belie Galario's recent claim. NUJP-Cagayan de Oro has copies of documents, signed by Galario, that show he had ordered DxMV closed down last Sept. 17.
Among the reasons Galario gave for ordering the closure were "for violations of conduct prejudicial to the interest of the public."
The violations for him included how in May 15, 2001, the station during the crucial period from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. make it as FM station and denied the public of the results due to the loosing candidate of the Mr. Romeo Chiang, the former manager.
He said the station this time has been used as "instrument of political war" by certain broadcaster by "agitating the public on various political issues."
Galario claimed that the station has not initiated any acts to stop or prevent "malicious accusations attacking personal issues that is tantamount to discredit certain officials without valid evidences."
"The station is allowing illegitimate anchor persons without valid credentials as licensed broadcasters not duly accredited with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)," his order reads.
Rosales, in a letter to Bedasua the same day, asked that the closure of dxMV be recorded by the local police.
In her letter, she claimed Lucot and some 15 personnel of the local licensing division, "escorted" by Supt. Bedasua "with his men in full battle gear," ordered dxMV radio technician Ric Jhon Rom "to shut off the radio transmitter." She also said the group placed a sign at the main door of the station that says dxMV was temporarily closed.
A report published yesterday said one of the "agreements" made during the UMBN-Galario talks was for dxMV broadcasters to refrain from talking about the issue.
The report said UMBN vice president Roland Raval has assured Galario this.
Orcullo and Gomez have called on journalists to unite and rally behind Ayon, describing the broadcaster as "another casualty" in the cause for press freedom.
"This is what happens when media owners compromise. Media owners should stand by their people and fight for them. The day media owners start putting their business and other interests above public interest will be the day we will see and hear nothing but "praise release" journalism," said Gomez.
He also said NUJP would continue to keep an eye on Valencia, saying the city is "fast becoming a very unfriendly place for journalism and press freedom."
(September 27, 2003 issue)
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