Nalzaro column’s suspension is ‘censorship’ says media watchdog

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said it “deplores the apparent censorship of veteran columnist Bobby Nalzaro of Sun.Star by the newspaper’s owners.”

Nalzaro’s hard-hitting column Saksi in Sun.Star Cebu and Sun.Star Superbalita was suspended at the start of January after the owners complained about his criticism of suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“The suspension comes at the expense of the reading public that needs to see issues — in this case, the standoff at the Cebu Provincial Capitol — from all possible sides so that they can make sound judgment,” said the NUJP statement signed by chairman Nestor Burgos Jr. of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

It said the suspension “sends a chilling message that columnists like Nalzaro who are expected to offer their perspective on pressing issues can be gagged if their opinions displease the newspaper’s owners or their relatives.”

“All ties that bind media owners should not compromise fairness and freedom of expression, among other rights and values we must hold firm as journalists,” said the NUJP statement.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) quoted Sun.Star Cebu editor in chief Isolde Amante in a Jan. 14 website article, as saying that Jesus “Sonny” Garcia Jr., board chairman of Sun.Star Publishing, had instructed Sun.Star Cebu’s editorial board to suspend Nalzaro’s column until the resolution of Governor Garcia’s protest of her suspension.

Amante  clarified that the owners of Sun Star are not the suspended governor’s immediate family but her relatives. Sonny Garcia is a first cousin of Gwen Garcia.

In the same CMFR article, Pachico Seares, executive director of the Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) said that council members may discuss the suspension of Nalzaro’s column in its next quarterly meeting.

“I am inhibiting myself from the case because I am identified with Sun.Star and its media group. CCPC rules provide against conflict-of-interest situations,” said Seares, the former editor in chief of Sun.Star Cebu and currently its Public and Standards Editor.

The camp of suspended Gov. Garcia denied any hand in the suspension of Nalzaro’s column.

According to Nalzaro, he was told by board members that it was Gwen’s father, Rep. Pablo Garcia, who asked his nephews in Sun.Star management to suspend his column.

“Blood is thicker than water; it’s no longer the fight of Gwen but also of the family. I understand and respect the decision.” He clarified that he is not “declaring war” or “severing ties” with the paper.

“It’s up to the public. I’m not judging Sun.Star as far as reporting (of opposition to Gwen) is concerned. Nalzaro is also a popular radio-TV anchor in Cebu with GMA 7’s “Balitang Bisdak” and hosts a morning radio commentary on radio dySS where he is the station manager./Associate Editor BenCyrus G. Ellorin