Tags: Accidents and Tragedies, Administration, General News
By Anna Valmero
MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA – The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) slammed President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III for blaming the media for allegedly contributing to a bloody hostage-taking incident on Monday.
The Philippine leader was quoted as saying that media coverage of Ronaldo Mendoza’s brother being taken into custody further agitated the hostage-taker.
“The HKJA notes with concern that President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines made the media the scapegoat when he made the statement. Using this flimsy excuse, Mr. Aquino said he would consider imposing new restrictions on media coverage should a similar crisis occur,” said HKJA in statement posted scrutiny on the media’s lack of ethics during the hostage crisis coverage.
“The role of the media is to tell the world what is happening and what has happened. This is the essence of what the democratic world has come to know and to accept as freedom of the press and freedom of expression. The media’s presence is vital to the preservation of human rights of minorities in any conflict.”
HKJA said the Philippine police do not have the strategy or know-how to deal with a hostage crisis situation when it arrested the brother of former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza during the negotiations for the release of 25 Hong Kong Chinese tourists at a hijacked bus Monday.
“As in the case of Manila’s killings, nobody can tell if the same tragedy would not have taken place without the presence of the media. What we can be sure of is that without the presence of the media no knowledge of this horrific tragedy would have been known to the outside world,” the group added.
The letter supports the side of the National Press Club officials, who stated that police should review proper guidelines for media coverage of an ongoing crisis.
“The act of arresting the brother would, clearly, irritate the gunman. Yet the police forcibly wrestled the brother down and handcuffed him, all directly in front of the media,” HKJA said.
This was also the sentiment of incoming human rights chief Loreta “Etta” Rosales, who noted that she will enforce a review of human rights education among the police.
In another interview, radio correspondent Dennis Jamito of Bombo Radyo Philippines, said it is a journalist’s job to report what is happening. “Trabaho namin ang magreport, kung pinagbawalan kami titigil kami. (If we were told to stop the coverage and have a news blackout on the crisis, we would follow the order).”
Jamito further said it is not necessary that President Aquino himself will order the suspension of the live feed while the incident was ongoing.
“Hindi naman kailangang Pangulo mismo ang mag-order sa media. Pwede syang magtalaga ng mga tao na magsasabi sa media kung hanggang saan lang at susunod kami… Sana rin nagpakita man lang sa lugar kundi ang pangulo, PNP (Philippine National Police) chief at NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) chief para may solid command (We don’t need the order from the President. He could’ve designated the task to someone and we would obey. I just wished the PNP chief or NCRPO, if not President Aquino could’ve been visible on site so there is a solid chain of command in handling the situation).”
Bombo Radyo was among stations which suspended the airing of ads to give live updates to listeners about the situation, said Jamito in defense of allegations that broadcast networks aired the siege to earn more money.
Jamito said that based on his intelligence, Mendoza talked a lot on his cellphone even before the TV on the bus was turned on past 5p.m. of Monday. “Buhay ang cellphone ng suspek at kung sinu-sino ang kausap niya (The suspect’s cellphone was busy the whole time and he was answering calls a lot) according to my sources.”
Jamito added that instead of blaming people, the government should review the tactics employed by the police during the 12-hour standoff and improve it to prevent civilian deaths in the future.
He added there should also be a review of how the funds for training of police and SWAT on hostage crises are spent by the Arroyo administration.
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I understand how and what HK people and HK media feel. I, for one, am very sorry and frustrated of what happened.
I know everyone has the right to express his/her opinion especially on matters like this that involves the international community. However, come on, I guess HK Media just sound so PURE and PERFECT in their letter. The criticism they slap against Pres. Aquino just went overboard.
Piece of advise: before you try to criticize other government, have u ever tried to voice the same concern in your country when thousands of people died in tianamen square – when they were massacred? How many times does your government LIMIT MEDIA coverage in your country in EVENTS like this??
You just took Pres. Aquino’s statement out of context. Be critical.
just really wondering if you can do such statement to your leader in China (?). hmm
pray nlng natin na maging peace na 2ng essue na 2.