Rappler reporter barred from covering Palace event

MANILA, Philippines — The Malacañang beat reporter of Rappler was barred yesterday from covering an event of President Duterte at the Palace, the latest episode in the tiff between the administration and the online news outfit.

The Presidential Security Group (PSG) briefly denied Pia Ranada entry to the New Executive Building yesterday morning upon the orders of “higher ups.”

The building houses the press working area and the press briefing room.

Ranada was allowed to enter the building after a representative of the Media Accreditation and Relations Office clarified that she is only prohibited from entering Malacañang, where Duterte’s events are held.

In the afternoon, the PSG denied her entry to the Palace, where Duterte administered the oath-taking of the officials of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce of the Philippines Inc.

The restriction was implemented a day after Duterte’s longtime aide Christopher “Bong” Go attended a Senate hearing on the frigates deal. During the hearing, Go described as “fake news” the reports by Rappler and The Philippine Daily Inquirer that he intervened in the procurement of the weapons system of Navy ships.

It also came a month after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the registration of Rappler for supposedly violating constitutional provisions on foreign ownership.

Rappler has claimed the decision constituted suppression of press freedom but officials have denied this, saying the corporate regulator was just upholding the rule of law.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Rappler could still cover Malacañang events pending a decision by the Court of Appeals (CA) on the news website’s petition against the SEC ruling.

“As of (Feb. 19), the Executive Secretary was asked whether or not Rappler can cover Malacañang. The answer given by the Executive Secretary is ‘yes, because they have a pending appeal,’” Roque said in a press briefing.

“But after the CA decides, and if the decision of the SEC is sustained, Rappler would have to transfer to (the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines),” he added.

Ranada said she has received information that Duterte was the one who ordered the PSG to bar her from his events. Roque, however, could not verify the information, as he denied that the restriction was a violation of press freedom.

“There’s no denial of press freedom. We’re televised,” he said.

Asked by Ranada about the order prohibiting her from covering Duterte’s events, Roque replied, “Well, I do not know about that. That’s absolute (PSG) discretion. But I do not know if there is such an order.”

“I do not know about the orders that the PSG may have given, because I’m not connected with the PSG. All I am confirming is you’re welcome to cover my press briefings,” Roque added.

Pressed by Ranada whether it is the administration’s policy to bar reporters who publish unsavory reports about the Palace, Roque said, “I don’t think the issue is unsavory reporting. The issue is fake news and pending legislation on who will be penalized for fake news.”

“Please understand that you’re dealing with institutions that want also to promote the truth,” Roque added.

He reiterated that the report about Go’s alleged meddling with the frigates project was “fake news.” Ranada, however, insisted that the documents cited by the Rappler report were authenticated during the Senate hearing.

‘Power attempting intimidation’

In a statement, Rappler described the order as “another instance of power attempting to intimidate independent journalists.”

Rappler said its accreditation to cover Malacañang cannot be canceled on the basis of the SEC ruling because the decision to revoke its registration is not final and executory.

“The case has been elevated to the CA and is awaiting final decision. The executive branch must respect the judicial process and await the court’s decision,” Rappler said. 

“The Palace cannot jump the gun in this latest attempt to evade public scrutiny and monopolize the conversation on matters of public interest,” it added. 

Rappler said Duterte himself gave the order to ban Ranada from entering Malacañang despite proper press credentials. The ban was allegedly extended to Rappler chief executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa.

“It is the first time, post-Marcos, that a duly elected president has banned particular journalists from entering the Palace,” Rappler said. 

Rappler denied that it is editorializing and making “conclusions without facts.”

“We encourage the government to answer these uncomfortable questions and avoid using its immense power to obstruct, harass and evade public scrutiny,” the online media outfit said.

Trillanes condemns ban

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV condemned the ban imposed on Ranada from covering official events inside Malacañang, which he said should not be taken lightly by the rest of the members of media.

Trillanes said that the action taken by Malacañang against Ranada was clearly meant to harass the critics of the President. 

“As long as you’re hitting him and are critical of them, they will exert pressure on you, not only to keep whoever it is in check, but to send a chilling effect on every other media outfit,” Trillanes said, referring to Duterte and his administration. 

“So, I’m very worried about the gradual destruction of the democratic institutions in our country and this is it, this is now a creeping dictatorship,” he added. 

Trillanes warned that the administration would keep on testing the limits as long as the legitimate media do not push back. 

He expressed his concern about the impact of the move against Ranada on media coverage of Malacañang in general. 

“What will happen now is that to avoid inconvenience, you will tone down your stories and come up with reports favorable to them. Once this happens, then our democracy is dead,” Trillanes said.

“So, the journalists should unite and protest this. If it means boycotting the Malacañang press briefings, then do so just to send the message that you are solid here and will not be bullied,” he added.

Poe seeks explanation

Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate public information committee, wants to find out exactly why Malacañang barred Ranada from covering events at the Palace.

She said she knows the Malacañang Press Corps has priority over covering the President but the Palace apparently was using a technicality to bar Rañada.

“I think Malacañang should explain the timing. It (ban) may be justifiable but it cannot be avoided that many will think there are other reasons why this happened,” Poe told reporters.

“It might send the wrong message to our countrymen that there are certain freedoms that might be compromised but I wouldn’t speak that soon, we need to find out again the reason behind it and I think it is owed to us for them to explain the rationale behind that decision,” she said, emphasizing that the media have a role in protecting democracy but they also should be responsible. – With Marvin Sy, Paolo Romero

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