(CMFR/IFEX) – Two commentators and a reporter from dyFM Bombo Radyo, a local radio station in Iloilo (south of Manila), have been barred from conducting interviews and attending official Iloilo provincial government press functions. On 30 May 2005, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada confirmed that Bombo Radyo commentators Novie Guazo and Rhoderick Tecson and beat […]
(CMFR/IFEX) – Two commentators and a reporter from dyFM Bombo Radyo, a local radio station in Iloilo (south of Manila), have been barred from conducting interviews and attending official Iloilo provincial government press functions.
On 30 May 2005, Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada confirmed that Bombo Radyo commentators Novie Guazo and Rhoderick Tecson and beat reporter Roger Gencianeo were blacklisted upon the orders of Governor Niel Tupas.
Mejorada said the three journalists have been “unprofessional, unethical, and do not adhere to the basic tenets of journalism” in their criticisms of the governor.
During a 30 May press conference, the Iloilo governor berated Gencianeo in front of other reporters and allegedly threatened to throw his tape recorder. Mejorada claimed that Gencianeo had insisted on expressing personal opinions during the press conference.
Tupas refused to comment on Mejorada’s claims. Gencianeo and Guazo said they were not disturbed by the ban against them.
Meanwhile, media groups in Iloilo denounced the provincial government’s decision. In a statement, the Iloilo Press Club said the office of the governor must not “deprive any individual, more particularly a media practitioner, from access to information, especially if it is of public interest.”
“If the governor, or any public official for that matter, feels he is being unfairly treated by the media, he has all the legal remedies to take against them,” the statement said.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-Iloilo Chapter said government officials “should expect scrutiny in all their actions and transactions.” NUJP-Iloilo added that the media “should be held accountable for their acts and the information they deliver to the public.”
