Basic Rights of Mediapersons

BASIC RIGHTS OF MEDIAPERSONS (1988)

1. THE RIGHT TO ACQUIRE INFORMATION – On all matters of public concern, the right to access to information actually belongs to each individual citizen. But with media as a valuable source of information, mediapersons actually represents the people’s right to know. Media practitioners, therefore, should not be restricted in their task of acquiring information – be it in the form of documents, interviews or photos – on matters of public concern, including those that may tend to embarrass the powers that be. During the Marcos dictatorship, the interest of “national security” was invoked to keep secrets from the citizenry.

2. THE RIGHT TO PUBLISH OR BROADCAST INFORMATION AND OPINIONS – Freedom of expression, of speech and of the press are recognized as basic and inalienable rights not only by the Philippine Constitution but by no less than the 1948 universal declaration of human rights. Like the right to seek information. This belongs to every citizen; but due to media’s role in society, media establishments must assert and safeguard this right. There are enough laws to check irresponsibility and wanton disregard for the rights of others; prior restraint – meaning, censorship – can only be legally justified during emergencies formally declared according to the “clear and present danger” doctrine. In the broadcast industry, the principle that “the airlines belong to people” has often been used to reverse its very spirit making it extremely difficult for ordinary “owners of the airlines” to use broadcast facilities to air grievances or demands that may be construed as “destabilizing”. The right of the state to protect itself has also been corrupted to refer to the right of the incumbent administrators to defend themselves against criticism.

3. THE RIGHT TO JOB SECURITY, FAIR COMPENSATION, SELF-ORGANIZATION AND RELATED INTERESTS – Paragraph five of the “Philippine Declaration for Press Freedom” reads: “We believe that press freedom necessarily encompasses the right of professionals and workers in the mass media to job security, fair compensation, just and humane working conditions and self-organization, as well as the right of media establishments to be protected against undue sanctions from sources of revenue.” These economic rights belong to all working people. Problems of management, of the rationality of the size of the industry, and the present shape of the economy as a whole, are all important factors that affect the enjoyment of these rights, but the locus of responsibility should be pinpointed in every case, and the rank and file must not be made to suffer the bigger weight of the economic problems.

4. THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST UNDUE RETRIBUTION – Media people are not exactly the most well-loved, especially among reluctant informants that get embarrassed or get in hot water due to media reportage and commentary. Mediapersons therefore need protection while in actual coverage and after their output has reached the public. We had have to contend with death threats and actual bullets, million-peso libel suits designed merely to harass and intimidate, sudden dismissals after aggrieved parties talk with management, and other forms of retribution. The hazards are graver during periods of civil strife, especially if some mediapersons are drawn into the struggle as combatants.

5. THE RIGHT TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT – All employees, professionals and workers should have opportunities to improve on their individual capabilities in order to afford them advancement in their respective stations in the industry, thus improving their lot and increasing their sense of fulfillment.

THESE ARE THE RIGHTS OF MEDIAPERSONS. To discuss them in detail and to illustrate the rampant cases of their violation would need the length of a book. But we hope this brief representation would be of help to our media colleagues to start off discussions among themselves and with groups and entities that affect their work (employers, sources, etc.) The People’s (Philippine) Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF) is committed to help promote and assert their rights, and we are eager to cooperate and coordinate with other media-based organizations in the pursuit of this commitment.

This was first presented at a multilateral workshop conference held during the National Press Week of 1988, attended by representatives from the PMPF, National Press Club, Philippine Press Institute (PPI), Kapisanan ng mga Manggagawa sa Media sa Pilipinas (KAMMPI), Press Foundation of Asia (PFA), Photojournalists Guild of the Philippines (PhotoGuild) and the provisional (organizing) committee of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). It was published in Press Freedom Advocate “Clipboard” No. 10 (May 10, 1988), from which it was also clipped to be posted in newspapers and radio station booths in various parts of the country.

Source: The book “Press Freedom: The People’s Right” by Ed Aurelio C. Reyes, pp. 179-181.

Retyped for information campaign by: Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.