Sen. Richard Gordon (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
While commending the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for enforcing the constitutional clause on media ownership in our country, Sen. Richard Gordon warned on Monday that its order to shut down Rappler could trigger a “chilling effect to all media practitioners.”
The SEC, in a 29-page decision dated Jan. 11, ruled that Rappler, Inc. and its controlling shareholder Rappler Holdings Corp. were “liable for violating the constitutional and statutory Foreign Equity Restrictions in Mass Media enforceable through rules and laws within the mandate of the Commission.”
The media outfit has been accused of violating a provision in the Constitution that mandates 100-percent Filipino ownership of mass media.
“I would like to commend the Securities and Exchange Commission for enforcing the constitutional clause on media ownership in our country. It shows that no one is exempt and has special privilege in our justice system,” Gordon said in a statement.
“However, the SEC should be ready to present convincing and factual evidence to back its ruling on Rappler because the Freedom of the Press is sacrosanct in every democracy. The Freedom of the Press is our insurance that we have a clear and transparent society,” he said.
If Rappler was guilty of violating the Constitution, then should be given due process and a chance to disprove the allegation, Gordon said.
“The legal actions should proceed with fairness, otherwise it may be construed as an affront to the guaranteed right of freedom of the press,” he said. “Furthermore, it can trigger a ‘chilling effect’ to all media practitioners to fear government reprisals when criticized.”
The SEC, he said should also explain why it came up with the decision only now when Rappler’s registration was approved on Jan. 1, 2012.
On the other hand, Gordon said Rappler should explain and reveal on record the paper trail of its investors through all those years.
“I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to our media friends to be as objective as possible in their reporting to remove doubts that there are biases and opinionated views in their midst,” he said. “Stay vigilant in checking government’s wrongdoings, but we should adhere to the ethical standards of true journalism that we always cherish.” /atm