The danger in the Right of Reply Bill is that it will be
legislated--a law for anyone to dictate to media when, what to publish or air.
The danger in the bill is its chilling effect that could dissuade the
easy-to-scare, the easy-to-intimidate reporters from investigating what would be
crucial information for the public.
The NUJP tells us that it is unfortunate and ironic that the
principal authors of the bill in the two chambers of Congress ought to have
known better--Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Bacolod Representative Monico
Puentevella.
NUJP understands the frustration and anger of Pimentel and
Puentevella over some media outlets’ refusal to air their sides on issues. The
NUJP also tells us that it is also clear, from the pronouncements of both
lawmakers, that this bill is a product of the sorriest excuse for legislation:
personal pique. But is it fair to allow the sins of one or two to be an excuse
for the wholesale muzzling of a free press and the suppression of free
expression? To do so would allow bad governance to triumph, writes NUJP.
The House version of the bill, HB 3306, parrots the Senate’s
SB2150. HB3306 wants the reply to run a day after receipt instead of the three
days SB 2150 grants. HB 3306 seeks to impose heftier fines and the absence of
self-regulation (in the case of block-timers) and sunset clauses.
"All persons…who are accused directly or indirectly of
committing, having committed or intending to commit any crime or offense defined
by law, or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in
behavior in public or private life shall have the right to reply to charges or
criticisms published or printed in newspapers, magazines, newsletters or
publications circulated commercially or for free, or aired or broadcast over
radio, television, websites, or through any electronic devices."
The bill also mandates that these replies be "published or
broadcast in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or
publication, or aired over the same program on radio, television, website or
through any electronic device."
The bills would free public officials, especially the corrupt
– and they are legion – of accountability. The corrupt are now protected by HB
3306 to force their lies on the suffering public.
One article on the Right to Reply bill: "It lumps together
imputations of a crime with simple criticism ‘of any lapse in behavior in public
or private life’ or what would otherwise be considered ‘fair comment.’ There is
no judicial review. It does not differentiate direct and indirect criticism. It
has been noted that under the proposed law a journalist does not even have to be
in error to draw a right of reply claim."
"We urge the media and the people to close ranks against the
passage of this bill, to challenge it before the Supreme Court if it is passed,
and, if even that fails, to defy it by refusing to comply. No less than our
freedoms are at stake. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.--NUJP,
632/411-7768, nujphil@gmail.com
Tell your senators what you think:
edgardo_angara@hotmail.com,
sbsa_iii@yahoo.com,
office_sen_jokerarroyo@yahoo.com,
pongbiazon@yahoo.com,
alancayetano@yahoo.com,
pia@senatorpiacayetano.com,
miriam@miriam.com.ph, senmds@yahoo.com,
mdsmediabureau@yahoo.com,
senator_enrile@senate.gov.ph,
senjinggoyestrada@senate.gov.ph,
sen.escudero@gmail.com,
reachus@chizescudero.com,
mediagroup@chizescudero.com,
rjgordon@senate.gov.ph,
gringo_chq@yahoo.com,
ospml@yahoo.com (Panfilo Lacson),
sen.litolapid@senate.gov.ph,
loren_b_legarda@yahoo.com,
mam@senate.gov.ph,
kilosko2004@yahoo.com,
kikopangilinan@gmail.com,
kikopangilinan@kiko.ph,
aqp@senate.gov.ph (Aquilino Pimentel),
senbongrevilla@senate.gov.ph,
mar@marroxas.com,
senatortrillanes@gmail.com,
mb_villar@yahoo.com,
senzubiri@yahoo.com.ph,