De Castro: Don’t abuse freedom of the press

Sen. Noli de Castro called yesterday on media outfits and practitioners not to abuse the power and freedom of the press.

De Castro, a broadcast journalist, made the call after a hearing by the Senate committee on pubic information and mass media on the closure of Bombo Radyo stations in Cauayan, Isabela and Butuan City, Agusan del Norte by local government units, and the impending closure of 11 more stations by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Sen. Rodolfo Biazon called for the Senate investigation into the closures, as he noted that there could be a conflict between freedom of the press and the powers of local governments under the Local Government Code.

"Lumutang sa inquiry na maaaring may paglabag sa Journalist Code of Ethics ng ilang taga-media. Hindi natin tatangkilikin ang anumang pang-aabuso sa power of the press (The inquiry showed that there could be violations of the Journalist Code of Ethics by some media members. We will not condone any abuse of the power of the press)," De Castro said.

During the hearing, Butuan City Mayor Daisy Plaza accused Bombo Radyo of using "vulgar and foul" language against the city government. She said she would give the committee taped evidence of her charge.

Plaza also claimed that Bombo Radyo violated the broadcast and public service laws and the city’s zoning ordinance.

She assured the committee that all Bombo Radyo has to do is conform to the laws and city ordinances and it will be allowed to operate again.

Senators, however, were puzzled why Bombo Radyo-Butuan was closed for alleged lack of business permits when it has been issued these permits for the last five years.

Bombo Radyo claimed that its stations were closed without due process, all because it has been a severe critic of local officials.

During the Senate hearing, senators took NTC Commissioner Eliseo Rio Jr. to task for issuing a suspension order to Bombo Radyo without due process.

It was pointed out that Bombo Radyo had sufficiently and promptly filed the needed congressional franchise as the NTC required.