CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board (CCAIB) alleged the feature stories in Sun.Star Superbalita and Banat News “obscene and indecent” under the Penal Code and the city ordinance. Both newspaper contend the feature stories are not.
Let the prosecutor and, if necessary, the courts decide the issue. As long as the CCAIB move is not being used for repression or persecution, the mechanism is accepted by the industry.
CCAIB though should’ve taken heed of the Supreme Court injunction that only publication that is “so depraved and corrupt” with no trace of moral redemption or purpose whatsoever is punishable.
Cebu Media Legal Aid (Cemla), a volunteer service arm of CCPC, will assist, if asked, in defending the journalists sued by the city agency. (FREEMAN)