SC affirms ban on live media broadcast of Maguindanao massacre trial

MANILA, Philippines–The Supreme Court stood pat on its decision not to allow live media broadcast of the Maguindanao massacre trial wherein members of the Ampatuan political clan are accused of masterminding the killing of 58 people, including 32 media workers.

In its ruling, the high court said it saw “no reason to reverse” its earlier decision disallowing the live media broadcast of the trial.

“The court cited the lack of uniformity in rule or practice in other jurisdictions in relation to allowing cameras in the courtroom. It also cited the need to protect the rights of the parties and the dignity of the courts as well as ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings,” Theodore Te, the high court information chief, said.

Te said the high court also took into consideration the “practical aspects of broadcasted criminal trial proceedings in foreign jurisdictions, finding that most countries still do not allow cameras in their courtrooms.”

The Maguindanao trial is being conducted inside the heavily guarded Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City where more then 90 of the accused are detained.

In June 2011, the high court through retired Associated Justice, now Ombudsman, Conchita Carpio-Morales allowed live media coverage of the trial subject to several conditions, such as disallowing voice overs except brief annotations of scenes depicted in the trial and prohibiting the repeat of audio-visual recordings except upon finality of judgment.

The relatives of the massacre victims then filed a motion for partial reconsideration saying the guidelines prescribed by the high court constitutes prior restraint on the media.

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