NBI probing members of mainstream media

MANILA, Philippines — Some members of mainstream media face a probe for possibly committing a criminal offense of inciting to sedition, the head of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said yesterday.

“We are probing legitimate media men who are exceeding their parameters,” NBI Director Jaime Santiago said over dzBB radio.

He did not name the media practitioners or reveal how many they are. He said they were not only expressing opinions but were also stirring disorder and urging people to commit sedition.

“They are creating a disturbance; they are urging people to commit sedition, things like that. It’s too much,” Santiago said.

They “abused their freedom of speech and expression,” he added.

“For example, if you say the director is wrong, that he should have done this or that, that’s OK. That’s your commentary. That’s what you think is right,” he said. “But if you are already cursing out someone and saying nonsense, then you are already going beyond the parameters of the law.”

On Monday, Santiago revealed that the NBI is investigating at least 20 Filipino vloggers based overseas for allegedly spreading fake news in the country.

“We are looking into why these are the themes of vloggers now,” referring to their deceitful and damaging contents. “Is there someone behind them? We are looking into that,” he said.

Santiago said government officials are usual targets of vloggers who peddle content that is full of vitriol and disinformation.

“Everything. Even the bashing against government officials. They post news reports that are not true at all,” he said, referring to vlog contents being looked into.

In an interview on ANC, Santiago said certain vloggers intentionally spread false information to gain more views and increase their earnings.

“They’re making money out of it. Depending on their views, it seems like they’re enjoying what they’re doing. They’re making money,” Santiago said in Filipino.

He noted that some vloggers manipulate news reports, distort facts and create panic and confusion among the public.

“They insist on presenting events in a way that does not reflect reality. This creates confusion and could incite people against the government or individuals, which disrupts peace,” he said.

Santiago also cited challenges in pursuing cases against vloggers, especially those based outside the Philippines, where laws on libel and sedition are different.

“We’re looking deeper into this issue. Some cases could fall under inciting to sedition or unjust vexation, especially when someone is repeatedly maligned,” he said.

MTRCB for socmed?

House Minority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said yesterday they are eyeing the creation of a body, similar to the Movie and Television Regulatory Board (MTRCB), to regulate social media platforms.

In an interview with Storycon on One News, Acidre said it was Bataan 1st district Rep. Geraldine Roman who made the proposal, which she intends to name Oversight Council.

“Congresswoman Roman has her own proposal for an oversight council, similar to MTRCB, that will take into consideration social media,” Acidre said.

“On our part, we have a proposal for national digital responsibility oversight board, the framework that we are working with and we know that social media platforms, they have their own respective terms and conditions and also community standards,” he added.

“However, what is happening is that there has been quite a challenge in the reporting of false information. There are also many steps. It is not that easy, and it is not that efficient,” Acidre said.

He said there are really no serious sanctions against erring social media account holders.

“The worst that could happen to your social media account will be it’s suspended or terminated. But what we are looking at using the framework provided for in the terms and conditions of the said social media platform, as well as the community standards that they adhered to,” Acidre said.

Torre avoiding media

Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, director of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), is under instructions to avoid media interviews, at least for the time being.

The instruction from the higher ups came days after he held several media interviews defending his role in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The STAR was invited on Tuesday to attend an event of the Rotary Club of Makati at the Manila Polo Club, where Torre served as a guest speaker, to provide members with “a deeper understanding” of Duterte’s arrest.

Before the CIDG chief spoke at the event, one of the attendees asked The STAR to leave the venue at Torre’s request, as he did not want any media outfit present.

After an hour of waiting, the attendee informed The STAR that higher-ups within the PNP had barred Torre from engaging with the media.

He said the CIDG director showed him messages from reporters that he willfully ignored.

Torre oversees one of the PNP’s 17 national operational support units, which report to the chief of the directorial staff and the police chief himself.

The CIDG director had granted media interviews over the past two weeks on Duterte’s arrest. — EJ Macababbad, Jose Rodeo Clapano