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Lawyer Harry Roque is questioning the guidelines set by the Supreme Court regarding the live media coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial saying that these may violate press freedom.
MANILA, Philippines — Maguindanao massacre prosecutor Harry Roque on Wednesday questioned the guidelines set by the Supreme Court regarding the live media coverage of court proceedings saying that these may violate the freedom of the press.
In an interview over 990AM, Harry Roque, legal counsel of the victims’ family, admitted that they were initially relieved that the high tribunal agreed to their petition for a live coverage which they filed last January 2010.
However, Roque said that the SC guidelines would impose control as to what the media may or may not air and it would be a violation of press freedom.
“Hindi naman pwede sabihin ng Korte Suprema kung ano ang dapat i-cover ng media [The Supreme Court could not dictate what the media should cover],” he added.
The Supreme Court issued the ruling Tuesday allowing accredited media entities to air the live court proceedings against former Datu Unsay, Maguindanao Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr.; former Maguindanao Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr.; former acting Maguindanao Governor Sajid Ampatuan; suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Governor Zaldy Ampatuan; Akmad Ampatuan; Anwar Ampatuan; and 196 others.