Just the facts, Chief Justice Sereno reminds journalists, magistrates
Citing the parallel roles of journalists and magistrates in nation building, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has called for brave and independent journalism based on facts and not on “unconfirmed leaks.”
At the same time, she urged her peers in the Supreme Court to exercise “self-regulation” in the premature release of information about cases.
Speaking at the awarding ceremonies for the Metrobank Journalists of the Year on Thursday night, Sereno cited the growing role of journalists in exposing wrongdoing in government—reports that eventually lead to cases being handled by the courts.
“Let us practice the power in our hands in a manner the Filipino people deserve and in a way that ensures the nation benefits. It will be a long and arduous task ahead but it is definitely not impossible,” said Sereno in her keynote speech.
The chief magistrate drew similarities between journalism and judiciary work, and the importance that both fields play in the public sphere.
“The judiciary which I represent has a lot in common with journalists. We both thrive on independence and public trust, which are mutually reinforcing. We are both only as strong and independent as the public believes and has faith in us, while the public trusts us only to the extent that it perceives us to be strong and independent,” Sereno said.
The same expectations
“Indeed the public expects judges and justices to deliver a just and honest ruling the same way it expects journalists to do fair and accurate reporting,” she added.
She issued a call to this year’s awardees—Inquirer’s Nancy Carvajal, GMA Network Inc. anchor and vice president for professional development Howie Severino, and Rappler editor at large Marites Vitug—to help develop others in the field with the same level of professionalism they have.
“… [It] is truly a joy to find outstanding journalists who not only hone their craft by putting a premium on ethics, integrity and dedication in a most challenging occupation but who do so in the service of the public interest and the nation,” Sereno said.
“I urge you to infuse your ranks with the highest level of professionalism—reporting that does not rely on unconfirmed leaks, and end up only in sowing intrigue. Help others hone their skills so that they ably investigate the facts and not end up just peddling gossip,” she said.
Backed by proof
She underscored the role that journalists play in keeping watch over those in power, adding that news reports on wrongdoing should be backed by proof to yield results when cases eventually reach the courts.
“The court receives this evidence usually at the end of a long process initiated by reports of wrongdoing, sometimes publicized by journalists. Regardless of what the journalists and the public say, however, courts can only convict as the evidence warrant,” Sereno said.
“In some instances, the courts are actually saying: You have come to us with a loud howl of alleged wrongdoing, but you end up with evidence that only evinces a whisper. Sayang (what a pity) if all that capital of goodwill from the public turns out to have been relying on dud ammunition,” she said.
Later in an interview, Sereno called for self-discipline and self-regulation among justices and personnel in the high court, saying that leaks to media on major cases preempted official announcements.
“We have been actually reiterating the guidelines on confidentiality of proceedings. But of course the reality that we face is that there is still lack of discipline. And we continue to probe ourselves on why the institution continues to experience that,” said Sereno, when asked how the high court could guard against “unconfirmed leaks” she had mentioned in her speech.
She said the high court already had a system in place responsive to the need to release public information “while protecting the professionalism that we need to exercise in adjudication.”
“It’s more a self-regulatory call that I am making, not formal discipline… I have been convincing everyone that, you know, we have entrusted so much to (spokesperson Theodore Te). Let’s vest him with greater and greater trust,” Sereno said.
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