Media group proposes standards in presenting suspects to public

Standards "on describing or identifying crime suspects" have been proposed to protect the rights of the suspects before they are convicted or proven guilty.

The Cebu Citizen's Press Council raised the matter during yesterday's conference with government law enforcement heads, the Commission on Human Rights, prominent local journalists, and police beat reporters.

The group noted the usual practice of authorities to parade or present crime suspects they have arrested for "photo opportunities" to the media, as if these suspects are "trophies" or a "backdrop" of their achievements.

The group asked the authorities, when presenting a suspect to the media, to stop putting on cards or letting the suspect wear shirts with the word "detainee", "prisoner", or something that would mislead the public to believe he committed the crime.

Reporters on the police beat should also refrain from sensationalizing their story by emphasizing the suspect's race, religion, or ethnic background if this is no longer vital to the story, said the group.

Reporters must be cautious and prudent in revealing personal information that could hurt the reputation of the suspect and the victim, as well as their respective families even before the case is resolved, the group said.

The CCPC further asked the media to be sensitive in dealing with cases about children or those affected with tragedy or grief.

It also said that the collaboration of media and the police might be a strong combination in fighting and solving crimes, but such should not encroach matters that should remain confidential otherwise it would jeopardize operations or endanger the lives of the involved parties.

Senior Supt. Ronald Roderos, deputy director for administration of the Police Regional Office-7, welcomed the proposal but he blamed the media and some policemen on the manner of presenting the suspects to the public.

Policemen have been too generous in reciprocating to the persistent needs of reporters for better videos and photos of arrested suspects for airing to the public, said Roderos, adding that a seminar should be conducted to let the police know the rights of the suspects under the law. - Edwin Ian Melecio/RAE