EXCHANGES between the media and government officials in the media over an advisory issued by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez will only prolong debates, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo said yesterday.

He said instead of debating through the media, representatives of the press, the justice department, and the PNP should sit down in a dialogue to "forge clear, workable parameters for the security and coverage of crisis situations."

Gonzalez’ advisory warned media practitioners of sanctions if they interfere with police and military operations.

Following criticisms over the advisory, Cerge Remonde, chief of the Presidential Management Staff suggested the dialogue.

"Every time na may isyung ganito, I always propose a dialogue kasi naintindihan ko naman ang side ng media. Tayo sa media ay, very allergic and very sensitive about anything that we may rightfully or wrongfully consider as an attempt to muzzle or limit press freedom," said Remonde, a former media man.

The Gonzalez advisory was issued more than a month after the Manila Peninsula hotel standoff wherein about 50 media men covering the incident, with their hands tied with plastic, were hauled to the Metro Manila police headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig after the incident.

The standoff was led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant and one of the leaders of the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.

Gonzalez has said he issued the one-page advisory to serve as a formal "reminder" to media men and press organizations and not meant to send a chilling effect to the media.

He later said the advisory was prompted by an intelligence report of a destabilization plot to be launched between today and January 22. – Jocelyn Montemayor