Limiting our Freedom

University of Saint La Salle

Bacolod City

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Mass Communications

TOLENTINO, Jim Austin M.

ABCO2 - A

Limiting Press Freedom

Mass media is self-regulatory. It is controlled by various media organizations and societies that govern the operations. There are codes of ethics and conduct, there is the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas), PPC (Philippine Press Council), which is the Ethics body of the PPI (Philippine Press Institute).

Minimize Harm by Limiting Press Freedom

According to the Society of Professional Journalists of Northwestern University, they believe, as part as their preamble that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. However, they limit the extent of the obtaining and the exposure of truth to the following:

Journalists should:
— Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage. Use special sensitivity when dealing with children and inexperienced sources or subjects.
— Be sensitive when seeking or using interviews or photographs of those affected by tragedy or grief.
— Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
— Recognize that private people have a greater right to control information about themselves than do public officials and others who seek power, influence or attention. Only an overriding public need can justify intrusion into anyone’s privacy.
— Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.
— Be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes.
— Be judicious about naming criminal suspects before the formal filing of charges.
— Balance a criminal suspect’s fair trial rights with the public’s right to be informed.

These are items coming from the Society of Professional Journalists in Northwestern University under "Minimize Harm." It gives us a view of ethical treatment of news subjects by limiting the journalistic practice to give way for respect.

Locally, there is the KBP (Kapisanan gn mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas) Code of Ethics as a governing body among media organizations. Under General Porgram Standards in the Observance of Decency and Proper Decorum in Programs, it says: "Programs shall not use dialogues, actions and other similar manifestations which are obscene, blasphemous, profane, derogatory, or vulgar." Not just about everything one has to say about an issue. Dialogues should be screened as to maintain professionalism in decency. The same code of Ethics authorizes the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board), another media regulator within media itself, to approve or disapprove programs and to prosecute violators.

References

http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp


Arao, Danny (February 25, 2009).Uniting Against the Right to Reply Bill. Retrieved August 14, 2009 from http://risingsun.dannyarao.com/2009/02/25/uniting-against-the-right-of-reply-bill/

THE TELEVISION CODE OF ETHICS IN THE OBSERVANCE OF DECENCY AND PROPER DECORUM IN PROGRAMS; LAWS ON OFFENSES AGAINST DECENCY AND GOOD CUSTOMS; AND CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISION ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Retrieved August 14, 2009, FROM http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/researches/rrb_0303_4.pdf