Bayan Muna scores draft House rules on media

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate has called on the House of Representatives’ leadership to reconsider the draft rules cracking down on reporters who “besmirch the reputation” of its members.

In a statement, the militant lawmaker said the draft media rules “can be used as a pretext to pressure media not to cover, publish or air criticisms or opposition to the leadership and the majority.”

“These rules can really hinder freedom of the press, as well as the right to self expression,” Zarate said, adding that the proposal could also “stifle not only the media but members of the House of Representatives themselves.”

Restricted access

He noted that the proposed House media rule coincided with the move to restrict the access of Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines reporters to press briefings in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Singapore.

“It seems that there is an intensifying trend in the Duterte administration to control, even muzzle the media, especially now that its approval ratings are going down,” Zarate said.

Revocation grounds

Under the draft rules prepared by the House Press and Public Affairs Bureau, the press card of an accredited reporter may be revoked “if the bearer besmirches the reputation of the House of Representatives, its officials or members.”

Other grounds for revocation of credentials include: false claims, involvement in activities that violate House policies, abuse of privileges and entitlements extended to accredited media, gross misconduct and other similar misdeeds.

The draft rules would also restrict the conduct of on-the-spot interviews with House members and guests in the House lobby. —Vince F. Nonato