Saturday, January 12, 2008 Journalists to face charges if police operations are interfered
A MONTH after the Manila Peninsula siege, the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday issued an advisory to media practitioners to heed government calls not to interfere in legitimate police and military operations or face sanctions.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. said he issued the advisory to serve as a formal "reminder" to journalists and press organizations and not meant to send a chilling effect to media.
The DOJ advisory was addressed to all chief executive officers of media networks, companies and press groups.
"Please be reminded that your respective companies, networks or organizations may incur criminal liabilities under the law, if anyone of your field reporters, news gatherers, photographers, cameramen and other media practitioners will disobey lawful orders from duly authorized government officers and personnel during emergencies which may lead to collateral damage to properties and civilian casualties in case of authorized police or military operations," the advisory stated.
Gonzalez said reporters who will violate the advisory might be slapped with obstruction of justice, among others.
He said since the similar announcement made by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, the government has been besieged by criticism by the media.
The advisory was released after the wake of the Manila Peninsula siege last November 29, 2007, where media practitioners steadfastly refused to leave the hotel premises despite being warned by police and military authorities of the impending assault.
As a result, dozens of print and broadcast journalists were held up for questioning by authorities, after the joint military and police assault succeeded in neutralizing Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and other Magdalo soldiers.
Media groups decried the arrests and claimed that the detention and handcuffing of journalists violated their press freedom. (ECV/Sunnex)
