Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists (Part II)

November 23, 2008

Press Freedom and the Killing of Journalists

(Second Part of Two Series)

By Fiscal Eldred Cole

The killing of radio commentator Arecio Padriagao of Radyo Natin of Gingoog City last week is the first in region 10 since 2001. The issue of journalist killings therefore is no longer an echo from the distance but a resounding clap of thunder just outside the door.

From the data of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) of the University of the Philippines, since 2001 there are 33 journalists who were killed in the line of duty and about 20 who were killed for reasons not related to their work. In the line of duty technically means that the journalist was killed because of a work-related issue, and he or she is known to be a journalist. The list does not exclude cases where there are reports that the victim’s lack of professionalism as media practitioner or if he or she is reputedly corrupt that brought his or her demise, for as long as they are killed because of a work-related issue, they are still considered a casualty in the war waged to achieve genuine press freedom.

And since that year too, most of the journalists killed come from radio, 53% block timers or free lance print journalists, and none was affiliated with national news organizations. And in that same note, among the slain broadcasters, some received informal training in seminars sponsored by Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) or by other media, but only half were accredited by the KBP.

What does it mean? That if you are not nationally affiliated, not trained and accredited, you are vulnerable to attacks? Or does it mean that if you go “solo”, no one is there to protect you, shelter you and watch your back? I think so. The trend is silencing the lone wolves, and just like a pack of tigers running after a prey, the perpetrators choose the weakest of them all and devour it.

So I submit that aside from continually struggling to achieve a genuine press freedom, journalists should also be mindful that freedom is not enough. We should know that the necessary companion of freedom is responsibility. Therefore, we must also be skilled, knowledgeable and ethical, in addition to being free from external restraint. In fact, we should have ethics, safety and security training courses. We should accredit free lance journalists and block timers, strengthen the Press Club, bond as one, secure the ranks.

Let us not limit ourselves at saying or writing words of condemnation alone. Rather, let us advocate helping the investigation and putting perpetrators to justice. If we have noses for news, there is no reason we cannot smell evidence far hidden from law enforcers or hidden by the law enforcers themselves. Let’s do it together. Remember that together we are more, and more effective, than we are separately. (For comments and violent reactions e-mail me at coi_416@hotmail.com)

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Written by admin · Filed Under Columnists, Sai/Mami/Fiscal Eldred Cole