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Protocol on media coverage rejected

GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – A famed veteran broadcaster who has almost 40 years in journalism, including 20 years of experience in field reporting has rejected a proposal to draft a protocol on media coverage and police standard operating procedures to avert a crisis similar to the Peninsula Manila hotel siege in Makati on Nov. 29.

Jose Taruc, station manager of radio dzRH, said protocol on media coverage does not apply to the Philippine media where the order of the day is looking for a “scoop.”
“In the Philippines, we are always trying to out-scoop each other. Kung saan bawal, don ka naroon (Where it is prohibited, your are there),” he said.

Earlier, Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., PNP spokes­man, said they can meet with the officials of the Kapi­sanan ng mga Brodkasters ng Pilipinas, National Union of Journalists of the Philippines and the Philippine Press Institute to hammer out common protocol to avoid a repetition of the controversial incident involving the police and the media.

Taruc, more popularly known as “Manong Joe,” said the police should leave it to media practitioners to do their work and not restrict their movements. “For as long as we do not violate any laws, they should not restrict our movements. If we leave, we will be depriving the people of the right of information.”

He said presence of the media during the siege was providential. “For all we know, kung walang media, baka pinatay na nila lahat and nasa loob (if there is no media, they might have killed everybody inside),” Taruc said.