Campaign control

With the campaign period kicking off in March, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tightened its reins on campaign advertisements and the right of reply (RoR).

The 120 minute limit of TV airtime and 180 minutes of radio spots may be objectionable to the broadcast media who believe it doesn’t give candidates enough exposure to promote themselves.

But like all campaign ad materials for print, broadcast and online, sooner or later there has to be a saturation point for the public to be given a real choice instead of being bombarded by excessive ads.

There should be more space and time for well-informed discource and debate , not a one-way attack on the senses.

We look with some envy at campaign materials and the level of stimulating discussion in US presidential and senatorial campaigns—not that they don’t have personality-driven campaign ads like those employing Hollywood stars.

Of more pressing concern is the resolution, now amended, by the Comelec on the right of reply for candidates who feel offended by media coverage. Earlier, the poll agency also reminded the media to give them prior notice before interviewing candidates.

The Kapisanan ng Mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) said the previous resolution encroaches on the freedom of expression enshrined in the Constitution. Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes said the resolution doesn’t do so since it only requires them to give “prior notice” before interviewing candidates in order not to exceed the campaign exposure ceiling they imposed on the candidates.

We hope the amended resolution will be what Brillantes said was “protective of media” through a mechanism that will have Comelec screen the complaints first before addressing them to media outlets concerned.

But then again, establishing a common venue where the Comelec, the candidates and media can meet and thresh out differences can help prevent ugly lawsuits and resolve disputes amicably.

Such was the arrangement worked on by the Cebu Citizens -ress Council with both the local Comelec and the candidates in the 2010 elections with much success.

Now that the Capitol standoff has eased up with the voluntar departure of suspended Gov. Gwen Garcia, one can expect this year’s campaign period to heat up earlier that the official kick-off. Both the One Cebu and Liberal Party (LP) are firing off broadsides at each other and the Garcia case has become political ammunition for the United Nationalist Alliance’s (UNA) to use against the LP.

In this combustible environment, it’s vital for the Comelec to maintain balance and order among combatants while ensuring that it allows the media to do its job to cover the campaign thoroughly, and hopfefully, with the same regard for balance and fair play.