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Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to
search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts
Vol. VII, No. 8
March 25 - 31, 2007 Quezon City, Philippines |
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Iskandalo
Cafe
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Copyright 2004 Bulatlat
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DEMOCRATIC SPACE
High-handed and
Arbitrary
BY THE NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (NUJP)
Posted by Bulatlat
The National Union of
Journalists of the Philippines protests in the strongest terms the
high-handed and arbitrary ban imposed by Manila Police District director,
Sr Supt Danilo Abarzosa on personal interviews with detained Bayan Muna
Rep Satur Ocampo .
We do understand that there are some limits imposed on access to
detainees, although it is worth mentioning here that Rep. Ocampo is an
accused detainee not a convicted prisoner and one who has yet even to go
to trial.
But we question Abarzosa's reasons for the media ban.
First, he professes the lawmaker's safety. But reporters do not pose any
security threat for Ocampo and there is no link between the lawmaker's
exercise to free speech with dangers to his person.
Second, Abarzosa's comment, "what's there to ask?" is not just fatuous; it
is dangerous because we have a police officer taking over the news
judgment functions of editors and reporters. This, in effect, is prior
restraint on media.
We would like to believe that Abarzosa's ill-advised media ban is a
unilateral decision and not officially sanctioned or ordered by PNP
headquarters. We assert that there is and can be no compelling reason for
the ban and demand its immediate lifting.
We also demand that the PNP leadership look into this unfortunate decision
by one of its own and impose the necessary disciplinary action on Abarzosa.
Inaction in this instance would be tantamount to approving of this
abominable policy.
Reference:
Jose Torres Jr., NUJP chairperson
Rowena Paraan, NUJP secretary-general
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