Broadcasters express no remorse

CEBU, Philippines —  Embattled Cebu broadcasters Juril Patiño, a lawyer, and Dennes Tabar, a former barangay captain, expressed no regret over their much-criticized interview of a four-year-old alleged rape victim.

They argued that they were there to help the victim even as they have been condemned by many for what was considered as inappropriate reporting.

In their regular program over Brigada News FM, Patiño and Tabar it was the mother of the four-year-old who asked for their help and this was confirmed on air.

The mother also told the two broadcasters not to take out the interview on Brigada’s social media page until the case is over.

Tabar said he had only been with the program for about a week with Patino, but said, he understood the latter’s way of interviewing vis-à-vis the broadcaster’s code of ethics, as it might just be the way to have a strong evidence against the perpetrator of the crime.

“Dili ko mubiya sa ere,” he declared, in saying what happened would not dissuade him from continuing to be heard on air.

Patiño, on the other hand, said everything that he is doing is not for the sake of viewership or to have more followers, contrary to allegations, but to help those who are in need as well as giving voice to the voiceless.

Both said he were willing to face the consequences, including possible disbarment for Patiño and losing his Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas license for Tabar.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City chapter has already issued a statement saying the interview “violated the ethical standards outlined in the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) for legal practitioners and is considered an act prejudicial to the child under Republic Act 7610.”

“It bears noting that under Section 4, Canon ll (Propriety) of the CPRA, a lawyer shall use only dignified, gender-fair, child- and culturally-sensitive language in all personal and professional dealings.”

The IBP also reminded lawyers, especially its members, to uphold the dignity and integrity of the legal profession at all times and to adhere strictly to the rule of law, legal processes, and the CPRA.

“To this end, a lawyer shall not use language which is abusive, intemperate, offensive, or otherwise improper, oral or written, and whether made through traditional or electronic means, including all forms or types of mass or social media,” it said in a statement.

“Every human being must be treated with dignity, sensitivity, and respect and not just mere objects of news. Any transgressions to the CPRA and pertinent laws will be dealt with accordingly,” it added.

 The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Central Visayas also reminded media practitioners to adhere to the guiding principles on reporting and covering cases involving children.

“In reporting or covering cases of abuse and exploitation involving children, DSWD 7 urges media practitioners to discuss the issues surrounding the case rather than the personal circumstances of the victim,” it said.

“In all cases involving children, the paramount consideration is the best interest of the child, and we must protect the children from being traumatized and keep their dignity,” it further said.

The Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB), on the other hand, called out Brigada News FM and its reporters for livestreaming and publishing the interview, saying “it was conducted in a very insensitive manner, short of being a production of a pornographic material.”

“On the whole, we consider the interview to be an act of abuse itself, aggravated by the sensational handling of the news story. Each interview of a child about alleged abuse compels him or her to re-experience the trauma suffered during the act of abuse, the reason why even experts are very careful in posing questions to a victim of abuse,” it said.

CLB also called for KBP to conduct an investigation while also encouraging media practitioners to police their own ranks and increase awareness on the proper coverage of child sexual abuse stories.

“The protection of children must be our foremost concern, having the best interest of the child in mind when making news stories about children,” the CLB said.

The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board, led by Dr. Lucelle Mercado, also said that a “show cause order” will be sent to the concerned media outlet and broadcasters for a hearing on Tuesday.

Atty. Pachico Seares, Cebu Citizens Press Council executive director, likewise said that the mother's request for a live interview with her daughter was no valid excuse to proceed with it.

“CCPC hopes media practitioners, involved or supporting a side in the debate, will keep their cool and most of media emerge from it better instructed on how to do their job. Patiño conceded the mistake when he said, ‘Pagtabang ra gyud among focus.’ And forget most everything else on broadcast standards? As one mayor loves to say aloud, ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions’," he said.

STET, Women in Media, also said this matter should not go unnoticed and urged an “investigation and corrective action for apparent violations of the Child Protection Act (Republic Act 7610), ethical standards of the KBP, and the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA) for lawyers.”(CEBU NEWS)