JBC issues guidelines for media coverage
By Philip C. TubezaPhilippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines–Unruly reporters covering the formal public interviews of the nominees for the next Chief Justice will be shown the door, the Judicial and Bar Council said.
In its new media guidelines, the JBC said that only one reporter will be allowed to cover the interviews inside the Division Hearing Room of the Supreme Court in Manila.
“Media representatives are advised to put their cellular phones, beepers, radios, and other communications equipment on silent mode so as not to disrupt the proceedings,” the JBC said.
“Any member of the media and the public may be asked to leave the Division Hearing Room at any time for inappropriate behavior or conduct,” it added.
Junking its previous policy, the JBC on June 18 allowed live media coverage of its interviews of nominees to improve transparency in the process of choosing nominees for the country’s top judicial positions.
The new guidelines also cover interviews of candidates applying for judicial positions in appellate courts, Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsmen, Special Prosecutor, and Chairperson and Members of the Legal Education Board.
“Media accreditation for the JBC media coverage is mandatory. All media persons, representatives of other media agencies, and crew members of TV /radio reporters are required to apply for accreditation,” the JBC said.
“In view of inadequate space, seat stubs shall be issued by the JBC Secretariat to the public,” it added.
The JBC said the Supreme Court Public Information Office will be responsible for media accreditation.
“To decongest the Division Hearing Room, press photographers and videographers will be given a photo and video opportunity before the start of each morning or afternoon session. After which, only PIO in-house photographers and videographers will be allowed to cover the proceedings for documentation purposes,” the JBC said.
It said only cameras without flash are allowed during the proceedings and the media will be provided with the PIO photographs and footages upon request.
“Due to limited space in the Division Hearing Room and the numerous requests for live coverage, only the PIO will be allowed inside the Division Hearing Room. All media networks should coordinate with PIO so it can provide audio-video live feed to all other networks,” the JBC said.
“A ‘no media ID, no entry policy’ shall be strictly enforced. Only reporters wearing their company-issued media IDs will be allowed inside the premises of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Division Hearing Room where the interviews will be conducted,” it added.
The JBC said a projector showing live coverage of the interviews would be placed outside the Division Hearing Room for the rest of the public and members of media who cannot be accommodated inside.
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