CCPC explains 'Corruption of Media' video (Statement of the Cebu Citizens-Press Council)

CEBU, Philippines - After a review of the video documentary “Corruption of Media: the Cebu Setting,” the Cebu Citizens-Press Council affirms its full support for this work as an honest self-appraisal of the ethical challenges and efforts to address corruption in the media industry.

The CCPC project is a concrete step in the process of having journalists police their own ranks by confronting an old problem and presenting ways to uphold the values of professional journalism.

However, the 25-minute video documentary, which is not the final authority on the subject, has drawn sharp reactions from some media colleagues and government officials who feel they were unfairly portrayed when it was first shown during the annual celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week in September 2010.

We received today the resolution of the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists (CFBJ) requesting the CCPC to refrain from further showing the video, which beat reporters fear will cause damage to the reputation of news media workers.

The discomfort is understandable given the thorny nature of the topic. 

Our review of the script, images and dialogue shows there was nothing libelous or unfair to individuals, media organizations or government offices mentioned. Care was taken to use testimonials and first-hand experiences of identified reporters, editors, broadcasters, publicists and public officials for a balanced discussion of corruption in the print and broadcast media in Cebu. Contrary to fears that one or another entity was singled out, the 25-minute video covered a broad scope of concerns.

A copy of the script is available on the CCPC’s website cebucitizenspresscouncil.org for anyone to make his or her own assessment.

However, we wish to open the door for more dialogue with the federation of beat journalists to address their specific concerns and to invite them to a meeting at the soonest time possible. We extend the opportunity for dialog to other sectors of society to bring up their own concerns.

There are no villains to flay in this video documentary, just the journalists’ collective conscience to disturb and hopefully lead to a deeper role of public service and concrete action.

The project was intended to be a springboard for discussion in newsrooms, classrooms and professional circles.   If the video documentary can be improved to get across the message of reforms and professional values, we welcome suggestions.

We have utmost confidence in the maturity and commitment of the journalism community in Cebu to see this process through, even as the CCPC stands proudly behind this ground-breaking project.

(RESOLUTION unanimously approved by the CCPC en banc in its meeting on Nov. 16, 2010 presided by vice chairman Sabino Dapat at the Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Center, Sudlon, Cebu City.

Present: Atty. Jonathan Capanas, Fr. Ramon Echica, Jose Rafael Ferreros, Mayette Tabada, Leo Lastimosa, Atty. Ruphil Bañoc, Lucky Malicay, Eileen Mangubat and Michelle So) — THE FREEMAN