Journalists ask KBP to look into block-timers

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Journalists have called on the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) to look into block-timers, especially those funded by candidates and local government units, to protect the integrity of journalism.

Print and broadcast journalists participating in a two-day roundtable sponsored by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) have expressed concern over the impact of block-timers hosting shows sponsored or funded by LGUs and candidates.

In a statement released by the CMFR yesterday, journalists said these programs are obviously part of the campaigns of candidates.

“Unfortunately, these are not identified as political advertising, and can be misconstrued as independent commentary over radio,” read the statement.

“As a self-regulatory body for broadcast media, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (Alliance of Broadcasters of the Philippines) upholds ethical practice among their members and requires them to make sure that their programs observe professional values.

“One of the tenets of news and public affairs programs is to make the distinction clear between news and information and advertising material such as commercials.”

The journalists said political space and airtime paid for by political candidates should be identified as such.

“If it is paid for by a local government office, then the people should know that it is taxpayers’ money that is being spent, in clear violation of the electoral law,” read the statement.

“The KBP should discern which block-timers are paid by political campaign groups. It is within the KBP’s powers to police the ranks of broadcast practitioners all over the country.

“In a landmark election such as the 2010 ballot, the media should let voters know when talk shows are part of someone’s political campaign.”

The journalists said they are not calling for the banning of block-timers or their sponsorship by political candidates.

“We are simply obliging them to make full disclosure of the nature of their programs,” read the statement.

The journalists called for the observance of ethical norms for the broadcast media.

“This call does not violate anyone’s freedom of expression,” read the statement.

“We want the KBP to follow the fundamental prescriptions of free press. If the press is to retain public trust, then press programs – and these include any program that carries political information – should be autonomous and independent of political pressure and influence.”

The journalists said the public should know if talk show programs have been bought to serve the purpose of advertising for candidates.

“The persistence of politically-sponsored block-time news and public affairs programs masquerading as independent news and commentary reflects a highly dysfunctional press system,” read the statement.

“The commercial nature of most media enterprises in the Philippines makes elections a high-revenue season. But it is incumbent on the owners of such businesses to observe their responsibilities to the public and to disclose fully the source of sponsorship for the programs they air.

“Otherwise, the public may be misled and influenced by those they may perceive to be independent commentators but are after all only paid hacks.”