Bill banning Muslim, Christian tag on suspects gets House nod

CEBU - The use of “Muslim” and “Christian” or any word that denotes religious, regional or ethnic affiliation in describing suspects or convicts in mass media may soon be prohibited.

This after the House of Representatives recently approved on the third and final reading the House Bill No. 100, which imposes a fine not lower than P50,000 to the editor-in-chief, in the case of print media, or the news editor in the case of broadcast or other forms of mass media.

The proposed law has now been transmitted to the Senate for plenary action.

Cebu City north district Representative and Deputy House Speaker Raul del Mar is one of the co-authors of the proposed measure that is principally authored by Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara.

Other co-authors include Reps. Pangalian M. Balindong, Arnulfo F. Go, Luzviminda C. Ilagan, Bienvenido M. Abante, Justin SB Chipeco, Yusop H. Jikiri and Neptali Gonzales II.

The bill covers the editor-in-chief, in the case of print media, and the news editor in the case of broadcast media and other forms of mass media, as well as juridical entities.

The use of religious, regional, or ethnic affiliations to describe suspects or convicts in mass media allegedly creates a sweeping generalization on other members of the race, culture or region who did not commit any crime.

The lawmakers lamented that many members of media continue to callously use terms such as “Muslim Criminal”‚ “A Muslim Terrorists” and other denoting words in describing suspected criminals or even convicted criminals.

Under the bill, the juridical entity that will be found violating the proposed legislation should be imposed a fine not lower than P50,000 for every violation.

The bill also penalizes any person or media entity who would be found violating provisions of the law with six years imprisonment and a fine of not more than P10,000.

Once the bill is enacted into law, it shall be unlawful for newspapers, radio stations, televisions and even electronic mass media to use the words “Muslim” and “Christians” and other words denoting religious or ethnic affiliation in describing a person.

The bill was sponsored by the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, chaired by Balindong under the legal/political cluster 5 headed by Deputy Speaker Simeon A. Datumanong. — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)