Sunday, October 05, 2008 Palace denies media censorship
MALACAÑANG insisted Saturday there was no attempt of censorship in a canceled media exchange between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap) last October 2.
But Press Secretary Jesus Dureza remained mum on Focap's concerns that Arroyo would not entertain political questions at the forum.
"We cannot censor, I have been in the media for 20 years. That is the last thing I will do. The media cannot be censored even during Martial Law," Dureza said.
"They made a big deal out of it... I think the matter was given some twist," he added.
Focap had arranged with Dureza to have a forum with Arroyo on October 2, but the media group questioned Malacañang's request for it to submit questions in advance.
The press secretary stressed that this was standard operating procedure since Arroyo's statements carry the "presidential weight" of policy.
"Every time she opens (her mouth) or speaks, it is policy; it is every word she issues and every answer she gives to a question carries the weight of the presidency," he said.
But Dureza said the Palace's request apparently gave Focap a different impression, that there was censorship or media management involved.
"I was surprised. Traditionally in courtesy to President Arroyo we ask so that the President will not be startled by the questions," he said.
He said that he would even ask Malacañang reporters for advance questions in time for regular press briefings so he can research on the subject.
In contrast, Dureza said a media exchange with another group, the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC), last Friday went smoothly.
He said the lunch meeting with the MOPC had a "no attribution arrangement" where the President was game, (and) she gave all the information she could."
"I am sure those who were present, the MOPC officials and others who came, would take all this information and how to handle this information with great sensitivity," he said.
"Nobody cried media censorship... that was never an issue at all. Both sides benefited, the President gave her side openly on issues (and) the media gave her inputs for her to consider in governance," Dureza said. (JMR/Sunnex)
