EDITORIAL - Justice, not guns, the only real protection for journalists

As usual, it is most unfortunate that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales should open his mouth when he should have kept it shut. His out-of-turn statements only serve to muddle up things and does not contribute positively to that which he chooses to concern himself with.

Take the case of the continuing violence against journalists. Instead of moving to ensure that his department does its best to tighten the screws against those who would kill journalists and undermine press freedom, he is instead calling on mediamen to arm themselves.

This is not to say that journalists cannot arm themselves, as in fact a number of them already have. After all, as citizens, they can always do so as a matter of right, provided they comply with certain requirements.

But to say it in a manner that implies an industry-wide concession is to place journalism in an entirely different light, one that is drastically different from both the essence and image of real journalism.

Journalism may be a dangerous profession but nowhere does its practice require that journalists must arm themselves. Once journalists start arming themselves, they become no different than some of the subjects they cover.

Many times in the course of its long history, journalism sends its practitioners to some of the most dangerous places on earth. Yet these hardy and dedicated journalists never require protection more ample than a helmet or a bullet-proof vest, in the case of a wartime assignment.

Perhaps, nowhere is the saying "if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" more appropriate than in journalism. We are in this profession because we love it. The moment you start getting the feeling that you need to arm yourself to shoot back, it is time to get out.

Again, we are not precluding the fact that, as citizens, even journalists can arm themselves. But to invoke the right to bear arms as a journalist demeans the very purpose of why journalists are dedicating their very lives to a lofty cause.

And for anyone to suggest, as what Gonzales did, that journalists should arm themselves in order to fight back is to insult the profession and its practitioners. If Gonzales means well, he knows what to do.

Nevertheless, if he needs reminding, Gonzales should move now to ensure that justice is given to those who have fallen. The only real protection for journalists, or anyone else for that matter, is to ensure that criminals are caught and brought to justice.