Tuesday, September 11, 2007 Editorial: The right to know
THERE is something to be said about the petition by the Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas to have the Sandiganbayan announcement of the Estrada plunder case ruling covered live tomorrow at the agency's office that could pose serious ramifications on the country's fragile peace and order situation.
On the one hand, we have the concern about the outbreak of violence and fomenting of dissension by the pro-Estrada supporters who would use the occasion to stir up new trouble in the nature of the aborted so-called "Edsa III" rally that nearly reached the gates of the Palace itself and which nearly got repeated in the 20th anniversary of the first Edsa Revolution courtesy of some generals dissatisfied with the Arroyo administration.
On the other hand, we have the guaranteed right under the Constitution for freedom of speech which allows the public nearly unfettered access to public events of national importance that directly affects their welfare and their interests at hand.
And the Estrada plunder case is a national interest issue set to be resolved after six years of trial.
The argument clearly weighs in favor of the latter argument since any prohibition of live coverage would give rise to censorship of future events of national importance and further restriction of other events the current regime; and future administrations may deem as inimical to its interests and thus should not be exposed to the public.
The precedent part is what concerns us because once the national government is allowed to place restrictions on media it won't hesitate to do so anew in the event something crops up that would place their interests at stake. This violates the basic principle of freedom of expression and thus should not be allowed to happen.
And any fears of a violent reprisal had been softened somewhat with the assurance by the Estrada camp that it won't support any attempts to stir up violence against the Arroyo administration.
That is certainly not an iron-clad guarantee but according to Erap's counsels, his case could be appealed before the Supreme Court.
And that appeal would drag on for years when the President can issue a presidential pardon to the former president whether he accepts it or not, thus diffusing the whole situation.
But more than that is the right of the people to know immediately what would become of Estrada without any filtration or censorship by the National Government.
