Local media groups expressed concern over the arrest of a radio broadcaster over a report involving a Manila City councilor accused of lascivious conduct with a minor.
DZRH reporter Misael “Boy” Gonzales Jr. was arrested by police officers while on coverage at the Department of Justice on Wednesday for an alleged violation of the Data Privacy Act by publishing details of an arrest warrant against Manila Councilor Rosalino Ibay Jr.
Ibay is reportedly facing allegations of abuse of a 17-year-old girl while still a colonel of the Manila Police District.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said Gonzales’ arrest by Ibay’s former comrades is “clearly retaliatory and an abuse of the law.”
The case against Ibay, especially since it involves alleged abuse of a minor by a public servant, is a matter of public interest and reporting it is Gonzales’ duty as a journalist, NUJP pointed out.
“This is not the first time that the Data Privacy Act (DPA), which recognizes exceptions for journalistic work, has been used to intimidate, harass, or retaliate against media workers,” NUJP said, adding it demands the dropping of charges against Gonzales.
The group also said that while the security of personal information is important, the DPA is also commonly used to deny media workers access to information essential to their work and for ‘lawfare’ suits to deter or punish coverage.
The National Press Club (NPC) said it is seriously concerned about the potential chilling effect of Gonzales’ arrest on press freedom and the ability of media practitioners to report on matters involving public officials and alleged allegations of wrongdoing.
“The NPC calls on authorities to ensure that due process is strictly observed and that the constitutional guarantees protecting freedom of the press are upheld,” it said.
The NPC has a standing agreement with the Philippine National Police that the former be informed by the latter before an arrest warrant against a journalist is effected.
“Journalists must be able to perform their duty of informing the public without fear of intimidation or undue legal harassment, particularly when reporting on issues of legitimate public interest,” the NPC said.
Aside from publishing reports of his arrest, Gonzales’ DZRH has not yet issued a statement. The Presidential Task Force on Media Security has also yet to comment on the arrest. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)