Media groups thank SC for allowing live coverage

Broadcast companies and media groups on Wednesday thanked the Supreme Court for allowing the live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre case trial, saying the move would help raise public awareness on the killing of journalists.

Led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), the media groups met with Supreme Court spokesperson and administrator Midas Marquez to convey their thanks and seek clarification on the coverage guidelines set by the tribunal.

NUJP secretary general Rowena Paraan also expressed gratitude to Chief Justice Renato Corona for ordering the live video streaming of the court proceedings on the Internet.

“Basically, we’re very happy with the decision to allow the live coverage. Nothing can beat that opportunity,” Paraan told reporters after the hourlong meeting with Marquez.

“We don’t mind the guidelines. What we really wanted was to give the public access to what’s happening during the trial,” she said, adding that the NUJP and other media groups present at the meeting were not inclined to appeal the high court’s June 14 resolution.

No commercial breaks

During the meeting, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) chair Herman Basbano asked Marquez to explain the policy banning commercial breaks during the live coverage.

Basbano said broadcast firms had already entered into contracts with corporate sponsors and advertisers and were concerned about the prohibition.

“There are some portions of the guidelines that we would have wanted to modify. But we will respect whatever decision the court will take,” he said.

In response, Marquez told the media groups that the policies laid down by the high court should be strictly observed.

He said the justices had issued the strict rules “to balance the rights of the accused and the right of the people to information and the freedom of the press.”

“I hope you understand why the court issued these guidelines… [It] also wanted to ensure order inside the courtroom during the proceedings,” he said.

Marquez reiterated that broadcast companies found violating the guidelines could lose their accreditation and be cited for contempt of court.

He said anchors and broadcasters wanting to air their opinions during the coverage “may do so at their own risk.”

“Their comments will be subject to the court’s sub judice rule,” he said.