|
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Seares: Killing journalists
By Pachico A. Aeares
News Sense
There are settled points about the killing of journalists: l It is basically a problem of peace and order and law enforcement, for which government is primarily responsible.
l Not every killing is an attack on press freedom. Yet every murder, whoever the victim, wherever done, must be condemned.
l There is need to determine whether the killing is job-related to see if there is systematic assault on journalists and what the journalist can do about his work to stave off the attack.
In Cebu particularly, where journalists feel safer compared to colleagues in other areas, extrajudicial executions of more than 170 crime suspects, none of which is solved, mean breakdown of the criminal justice system.
The culture of death is scary, to journalists and anyone else concerned about the value of human life and the democratic process.
Motive
But when is a murder job-related? A sensible basis is motive for the attack.
If one is killed for what he wrote in the paper or said on radio, it is assault on press freedom. It is job-related.
No matter if he violated ethics or law or did his job badly or used his craft for ill motive or gain. No matter if he used print or broadcast for blackmail or spite. No matter if he wrote freelance or paid for radio time.
Victims of journalistic abuse have remedies provided by law and the industry. And violence is not one of them.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
