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Monday, July 31, 2006
Seares: Radio libel and that tape
By Pachico A. Seares
News Sense
BROADCAST journalism had long gone past the era when it was mostly writing and talking in the wind.
Recording can be digital, for history or re-use. High-tech savvy: loads of material can be stored in tiny space.
In this country though, complaints for broadcast libel are often averted or stalled by the absence of tape.
Unlike in print media, where fresh or back issues of the paper abound, broadcast complainants nag the station for the tape.
Many still think that to sue they must get a copy of the station’s recording.
Own noose
Stations have resisted demands for tape copy, arguing they can’t be forced to supply evidence against themselves. They prefer paying NTC fine to getting hanged with their own noose.
Oh well, broadcast’s days of dodging may be over.
The Supreme Court decided in the landmark Choy Torralba case that tape from complainant will do. Just show who recorded it and how, then support it with testimony of those who heard the libel.
Reckless broadcasting has rested on the wrong belief there is no hard evidence of what one says on the air.
Now broadcasters know there is.
Soon, we might hear more careful broadcast opinions: fewer “per se”—libelous gutter words, less slimy attacks based on gossip or speculation.
I said we might.
Some broadcasters think nobody listens unless they sound mean and tough and wreck people’s reputations and lives.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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