EASTERN Samar Representative Ben Evardone on Monday, September 24, said the proposed rules for media coverage in the House of Representatives might restrict access to information.
Evardone, who chairs the House public information committee, said he will discuss the rules with reporters first before discussing it in his committee.
He also urged the reporters to discuss the proposal among themselves and submit their comments and proposed amendments to him.
“Actually it's a draft guidelines on the manner on the process of covering Congress. Actually iko-consult ko sa inyo kase (I will consult you because) I have some reservations and questions on the draft guidelines kase ako naiintindihan ko e," he said in a press conference Monday.
"Hindi pwedeng, hindi mo pwedeng kase siyempre nag hahanap tayo ng balita, gagawa tayo ng paraan na makakuha ng balita, di ba? So, bibigay ko sa inyo bago siguro i-tackle yan sa committee, pag-usapan nyo dahil ako talaga maraming... dahil binasa ko e, binasa ko,” Evardone, a former member of the media himself, added.
(We find ways to get the news, right? So I will discuss it with you before we will tackle it in the committee. Discuss this among yourselves because I have many reservations after I read the guidelines.)
Under the proposed rules, reporters are barred from conducting ambush interviews and holding interviews at the lobby, among others.
A resolution urging the House of Representatives to adopt the proposed rules for media coverage is now pending before the committee on public information.
House Resolution No. 2149 was filed by Antipolo Rep. Cristina “Chiqui” Roa-Puno last September 4.
In the resolution, Roa-Puno said “there is a need to merge, codify and amend the various rules on media coverage, in accordance with acceptable standards of courtesy, propriety, dignity and decorum to ultimately guide media representatives in their coverage of plenary sessions, committee hearings, and other news events in the House."
According to the resolution, the proposed rules for media coverage was drafted by the Press and Public Affairs Bureau (PPAB) in consultation with the Office of the Speaker, the legal department, the secretariat and even with the media practitioners.
Puno said the rules were patterned after the rules of the House of Representatives in the United States of America and various parliaments of nations that rank highest in the press freedom index, such as Norwegian Storting and the Swedish Rikstag.
For Evardone, the set of guidelines might restrict media's access to information.
“Parang in a way it might restrict your access e to securing vital information kasi maraming pasikut-sikot. May guidelines e. Hindi naman masamang magkaron ng guidelines pero kung to the point na ma-prevent kayo in your efforts secure necessary information, data, etc, e parang di maganda yun,” he said.
(It is not wrong to set guidelines, but it would not be fair if these prevent you from securing necessary information.)
“Hindi pwedeng.. alam mo yan. Basta ang assurance ko, I will, bigyan natin lahat; electronic, print, radio, broadcast ng kopya, pag-usapan niyo. Tapos give me your comments, suggestions, amendments. If you want to delete, to scrap an entire paragraph or whatever, sabihin niyo sa akin. Basta’t ako ay hindi papayag na ikahon yung mga reporters. Palagay ko yung leadership hindi rin papayag na ganon,” he added.
(I assure that everybody - electronic, print, radio, broadcast - will get a copy. Discuss it among yourselves. Then tell me your comments, suggestions, amendments. If you want to delete, to scrap an entire paragraph or whatever, just tell me. I assure you that I will not allow efforts to put you in a box. I believe the House leadership would also not allow that.)
The PPAB has yet to release a revised copy of the Proposed Rules For Media Coverage.
Under the rules released last April, the PPAB said journalists who bersmich the reputation of the House of Representatives, its officials or members may lose their accreditation for coverage.
The media ID may also be revoked: if applicant/bearer is found to have made false claims; if applicant/bearer is involved in activities that run counter to or violate the policies of the House; if bearer abuses the privileges and entitlements extended to House-accredited media; and if bearer is found guilty of gross misconduct.
Sought for comment, Roa-Puno explained that the Proposed Rules for Media Coverage, issued during the stint of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has been revised.
"We have revised the version first presented to media during Alvarez’ time. The current version went through consultations even with media members and please be assured it does not in any way curtail press freedom,” she said.
"As a media practitioner, I made sure of it. This is just for the safety of both members and media members and also to safeguard order and security within the house,” Roa-Puno added. (SunStar Philippines)