Iloilo Media-Citizen Council

Iloilo Media-Citizen Council An umbrella group of News Houses/Organizations and Private Sector
Currently chaired by Francis Allan L.

Angelo with retired Prosecutor Jeremy Bionat as executive director

๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐š๐ฅ ๐‘๐ž๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐จ๐ง ๐‚๐š๐ฅ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐€๐œ๐œ๐ฎ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ฒTo our colleagues in the media,As we know all too we...
09/11/2025

๐€ ๐‚๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐š๐ฅ ๐‘๐ž๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ: ๐‘๐ž๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐จ๐ง ๐‚๐š๐ฅ๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐ž๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐€๐œ๐œ๐ฎ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ฒ

To our colleagues in the media,

As we know all too well, our region is often in the path of natural calamities. When these events strike, our community turns to us. Our reports become a lifeline, and our words carry immense weight.

This is one of the most challenging parts of our job, requiring us to balance speed, accuracy, and compassion. In the spirit of supporting one another and serving our community to the best of our ability, here is a gentle reminder of the principles we all strive to uphold during a crisis.

1. ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ฉ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ข๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฆ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐—ฒ๐—ฑ
In a disaster, information is a critical utility, but misinformation can be a second disaster.
โ€ข Avoid Causing Panic: Unverified reportsโ€”on casualties, dam breaks, or tsunami warningsโ€”can cause real-world panic, diverting emergency resources and endangering the public.
โ€ข Check and Double-Check: Let's commit to confirming vital information (especially casualty figures, "looting" reports, or structural failures) with official, on-the-ground sources (PDRRMO, PAGASA, local officials) before we broadcast or publish.
โ€ข Amplify, Don't Speculate: Our job is to be the reliable filter. Let's be wary of amplifying unconfirmed social media posts.

2. ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐˜„๐—ถ๐˜๐—ต ๐—›๐˜‚๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป ๐——๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐—ถ๐˜๐˜†
The people we are covering have just lost their homes, their livelihoods, or their loved ones. They are our neighbors.
โ€ข Ask, Don't Intrude: A grieving person is not a "scoop." Let's be mindful of how we approach survivors. Asking "Are you okay to talk?" and respecting a "no" is fundamental.
โ€ข Think Before We Show: Let's be thoughtful about graphic images. Does showing this image serve the public interest, or does it simply strip a victim of their dignity? We can convey devastation without exploiting suffering.
โ€ข Avoid "Disaster P**n": Our focus should be on the situation, not just the spectacle.

3. ๐—ข๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฅ๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐—œ๐˜€ ๐—ฃ๐˜‚๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฐ ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ
Beyond reporting what happened, our greatest value is providing actionable, life-saving information.
โ€ข Be a Lifeline: The most important stories are often the most practical: Which roads are passable? Where are the active evacuation centers? Where can people find food, water, or medical help? What do rescue teams need?
โ€ข Focus on Human Spirit, Not Just Ruin: Let's also look for stories of bayanihan, of neighbors helping neighbors, and of official systems that are working. This gives context and hope.

4. ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ข๐˜„๐—ป ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜†
Finally, please take care of yourselves. We cannot report the news if we become part of the emergency. A reporter who needs rescuing is a drain on limited resources. Please, do not take unnecessary risks. Your safety comes first.

Thank you for the incredible, difficult work you do. Let's continue to serve our community with the integrity, accuracy, and compassion it deserves. (Image created using Gemini prompts)

๐€ ๐‚๐Ž๐‹๐‹๐„๐†๐ˆ๐€๐‹ ๐‘๐„๐Œ๐ˆ๐๐ƒ๐„๐‘ ๐Ž๐ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“๐ˆ๐๐† ๐’๐„๐๐’๐ˆ๐“๐ˆ๐•๐„ ๐‚๐€๐’๐„๐’ ๐–๐ˆ๐“๐‡ ๐‚๐Ž๐Œ๐๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐€๐๐ƒ ๐‚๐€๐‘๐„Hello, colleagues.We are all part of a press c...
09/11/2025

๐€ ๐‚๐Ž๐‹๐‹๐„๐†๐ˆ๐€๐‹ ๐‘๐„๐Œ๐ˆ๐๐ƒ๐„๐‘ ๐Ž๐ ๐‘๐„๐๐Ž๐‘๐“๐ˆ๐๐† ๐’๐„๐๐’๐ˆ๐“๐ˆ๐•๐„ ๐‚๐€๐’๐„๐’ ๐–๐ˆ๐“๐‡ ๐‚๐Ž๐Œ๐๐€๐’๐’๐ˆ๐Ž๐ ๐€๐๐ƒ ๐‚๐€๐‘๐„

Hello, colleagues.

We are all part of a press corps that works hard to cover our community, often under difficult circumstances.

Recently, there have been several reports circulating concerning the tragic death of a minor in our community. The nature of this crime has, understandably, shocked us all.

This event has also highlighted the immense ethical challenges we face. In the rush to report breaking news, we've seen instances where sensitive, graphic details were published, and where information that could inadvertently identify a victim's family was included.

This is not a message to single out any individual or organization. Rather, it's an opportunity for all of us, as a professional and collegial body, to take a collective pause. It's a moment to reflect on our shared standards and the profound impact our words have on victims and their families.

In that spirit, we would like to share the following reminder.

๐™Š๐™ฃ ๐™‹๐™ง๐™ค๐™ฉ๐™š๐™˜๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™‘๐™ช๐™ก๐™ฃ๐™š๐™ง๐™–๐™—๐™ก๐™š
We all know the profound importance of protecting the identities of minor victims of abuse. This standard isn't just a rule; it's a compassionate pact we have with our community.
โ€ข Mindfulness with details: Let's be mindful that details like nicknames, relatives' names, or specific family information can inadvertently identify a family.
โ€ข Preventing further harm: Our ethical duty to protect victims and their families from further trauma and stigma is a cornerstone of our work.

๐™Š๐™ฃ ๐™๐™š๐™ฅ๐™ค๐™ง๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐™ฌ๐™ž๐™ฉ๐™ ๐™๐™š๐™จ๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™–๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™ฉ
Our role is to inform, not to sensationalize. When covering a horrific crime, the line between fact and sensationalism can be thin.
โ€ข Serving the public interest: Let's ask ourselves if graphic headlines or explicit, lurid details truly serve the public's need to know, or if they primarily contribute to shock value.
โ€ข Compassion over clicks: A "trigger warning" should not be used as a prelude to graphic content that exploits a family's tragedy. True compassion lies in restrained, factual reporting that focuses on the investigation and the community's safety, rather than on gruesome specifics.

The public trusts us to be their source of truth, but also to be a voice of compassion and responsibility. By holding firm to these ethical standards, we honor the victims, protect the grieving, and maintain the integrity of our profession. (Photo: Getty Images)

STATEMENTSeptember 22, 2025On the Harassment of News 5 Reporter Gary de LeonThe Presidential Task Force on Media Securit...
22/09/2025

STATEMENT
September 22, 2025

On the Harassment of News 5 Reporter Gary de Leon

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFOMS) strongly condemns the harassment experienced by News 5 reporter Gary de Leon, who was shouted at and subjected to aggressive gestures by a group of demonstrators during his live coverage of a protest rally in Mendiola, Manila, on Sunday, September 21.

According to reports, the crowd became unruly upon recognizing De Leon, shouting vulgarities and accusations that disrupted the live broadcast. Several protesters attempted to block his camera view and physically confronted him, pushing and jostling as he tried to carry out his journalistic duties. Despite the chaos, De Leon maintained professionalism and was able to relocate to a safer area, allowing him to resume his coverage amidst a tense and intimidating environment.

โ€œNo journalist should ever be subjected to intimidation, threats, or obstruction while performing their duty to deliver truthful and timely information to the public,โ€ said PTFOMS Executive Director Jose Torres Jr.

โ€œWe strongly condemn this blatant harassment of Gary de Leon and underscore that such acts threaten press freedom and the safety of media workers,โ€ Torres added, emphasizing that โ€œjournalists must be able to work without fear of violence or intimidation.โ€

Torres commended the police officers present at the scene who responded swiftly to ensure De Leonโ€™s safety. โ€œTheir immediate actions prevented further escalation and demonstrated the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and the media,โ€ he said.

He said the Task Force, together with the Philippine National Police Media Vanguards, โ€œwill remain vigilant and proactive in addressing threats against journalists.โ€

โ€œWe call on all sectors to respect the vital role of the media and to work together in ensuring a safe environment for journalists,โ€ said Torres. #

It is conventional wisdom among journalists that while the world around us changes, our ethics do not. Yet a fresh look ...
06/09/2025

It is conventional wisdom among journalists that while the world around us changes, our ethics do not. Yet a fresh look at our standards and practices seems a worthwhile pursuit at this moment. Trust in the press has declined. Politicians lie to the media and to the public, and we have to decide how to cover those lies. Internally, journalists are debating the merits of objectivity in the approach to news, and how to best protect their sources. The rise of nonprofit newsrooms brings new questions about funding. And the rapid growth of AI presents new quandaries. This series is the result of months of interviews with scholars and journalists, including many standards editors in the biggest US newsrooms. Much of the digging was done by Julie Gerstein, a veteran editor and a research fellow with me at Columbia Universityโ€™s Craig Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security. โ€”Margaret Sullivan

It is conventional wisdom among journalists that while the world around us changes, our ethics do not. Yet a fresh look at our standards and practices seems a worthwhile pursuit at this moment. Trust in the press has declined. Politicians lie to the media and to the public, and we have to decide how...

30/08/2025

NATIONAL PRESS FREEDOM DAY

On this day, we honor the courage of journalists who
seek truth, amplify voices, and guard our democracy.

A free press is the light that guides a nationโ€”when shadows fall, we choose to keep it shining.

๐€ ๐’๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐…๐ซ๐ž๐ž๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ: ๐ƒ๐ž๐Ÿ๐ž๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ƒ๐ž๐ฆ๐จ๐œ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ฒ ๐“๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐‰๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆOn this National Press Freedom Day, we ...
30/08/2025

๐€ ๐’๐ญ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฆ๐ž๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐š๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐š๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐…๐ซ๐ž๐ž๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ: ๐ƒ๐ž๐Ÿ๐ž๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ƒ๐ž๐ฆ๐จ๐œ๐ซ๐š๐œ๐ฒ ๐“๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐‰๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐š๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ

On this National Press Freedom Day, we pause to recognize the vital role that a free and independent press plays in the foundation of our democratic society. Today, we also confront the sobering reality that press freedom faces unprecedented challenges that threaten not only journalism itself, but the very fabric of informed citizenship and democratic governance.

๐˜พ๐™๐™–๐™ก๐™ก๐™š๐™ฃ๐™œ๐™š๐™จ ๐™๐™–๐™˜๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐™‹๐™ง๐™š๐™จ๐™จ ๐™๐™ง๐™š๐™š๐™™๐™ค๐™ข
๐˜Œ๐˜ค๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ๐˜ช๐˜ค ๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ณ๐˜บ ๐˜›๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ
The digital revolution has fundamentally altered the media landscape, creating financial instability that undermines newsroom capacity. Local newspapersโ€”once the backbone of community journalismโ€”continue to close at alarming rates, creating news deserts where citizens lack access to vital local information. The shift to digital platforms has disrupted traditional revenue models, forcing news organizations to compete for attention in an increasingly crowded information ecosystem.

๐˜›๐˜ฉ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ด ๐˜ต๐˜ฐ ๐˜‘๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜š๐˜ข๐˜ง๐˜ฆ๐˜ต๐˜บ
Journalists worldwide face escalating physical threats, harassment, and legal intimidation. From war correspondents reporting in conflict zones to local reporters covering municipal corruption, press freedom advocates document increasing attacks on media professionals. Digital harassment campaigns, particularly targeting women and journalists of color, create additional barriers to free expression and reporting.

๐˜๐˜ฏ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜—๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜›๐˜ณ๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต ๐˜Œ๐˜ณ๐˜ฐ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ
The proliferation of misinformation and disinformation has created an environment where legitimate journalism must compete with false narratives that spread faster and wider than factual reporting. This crisis of information quality has eroded public trust in media institutions, making it more difficult for journalists to fulfill their watchdog function effectively.

๐˜—๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜“๐˜ฆ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด
Press freedom faces direct challenges from legal restrictions, government surveillance, and political rhetoric that delegitimizes journalism. Freedom of Information laws are being weakened in some jurisdictions, while others use national security concerns to justify restricting press access to information that serves the public interest.

๐™‹๐™–๐™ฉ๐™๐™ฌ๐™–๐™ฎ๐™จ ๐™ฉ๐™ค ๐™Ž๐™ค๐™ก๐™ช๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™จ: ๐™Ž๐™ฉ๐™ง๐™š๐™ฃ๐™œ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š๐™ฃ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐™‹๐™ง๐™š๐™จ๐™จ ๐™๐™ง๐™š๐™š๐™™๐™ค๐™ข
๐˜š๐˜ถ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฑ๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜š๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ฃ๐˜ญ๐˜ฆ ๐˜‘๐˜ฐ๐˜ถ๐˜ณ๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ฎ ๐˜”๐˜ฐ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜ด
We must invest in diverse funding mechanisms that preserve editorial independence while ensuring financial viability. This includes supporting nonprofit journalism initiatives, encouraging philanthropic investment in local news, and developing subscription models that value quality reporting. Public media systems deserve robust funding to serve communities without commercial pressures.

๐˜“๐˜ฆ๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜—๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜บ ๐˜™๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด
Strengthening shield laws that protect journalists' sources, reforming Freedom of Information statutes to ensure meaningful public access, and updating privacy protections for journalists in the digital age are essential steps. We must also resist legislative attempts to weaken press protections under the guise of national security or public order.

๐˜‹๐˜ช๐˜จ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜“๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ข๐˜ค๐˜บ ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜”๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ข ๐˜Œ๐˜ฅ๐˜ถ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ
Combating information pollution requires a comprehensive approach to media literacy education. Citizens need tools to distinguish credible reporting from misinformation, understand how journalism works, and recognize the value of professional editorial standards. This education must begin early and continue throughout civic life.

๐˜›๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜จ๐˜บ ๐˜š๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด ๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ ๐˜—๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด๐˜ด ๐˜๐˜ณ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฎ
Investing in secure communication technologies, fact-checking tools, and platforms that prioritize authoritative sources can help journalists work safely and effectively. Technology companies have a responsibility to design systems that support, rather than undermine, quality journalism.

๐™Š๐™ช๐™ง ๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ก๐™ก๐™š๐™˜๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™ซ๐™š ๐™€๐™ฉ๐™๐™ž๐™˜๐™–๐™ก ๐™๐™š๐™จ๐™ฅ๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™จ๐™ž๐™—๐™ž๐™ก๐™ž๐™ฉ๐™ฎ
๐˜ˆ๐˜ด ๐˜Š๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ป๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด
We bear the responsibility to actively seek out reliable news sources, support quality journalism through subscriptions and donations, and engage critically with information we encounter. Our democratic system depends on an informed citizenry that values truth over convenience and accuracy over confirmation of existing beliefs.

๐˜ˆ๐˜ด ๐˜”๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ๐˜ช๐˜ข ๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ถ๐˜ฎ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด
We must resist the temptation to share unverified information, take time to read beyond headlines, and seek out diverse perspectives on complex issues. Supporting local journalism and holding news organizations accountable for their editorial standards strengthens the entire media ecosystem.

๐˜ˆ๐˜ด ๐˜๐˜ฏ๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ต๐˜ช๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ด ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ ๐˜“๐˜ฆ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ณ๐˜ด
Government officials, business leaders, and civic organizations have a duty to respect press freedom, provide transparent access to information, and refrain from undermining public trust in legitimate journalism. This includes refusing to use the term "fake news" as a weapon against unfavorable coverage and instead engaging constructively with media accountability.

๐˜ˆ๐˜ด ๐˜›๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ฉ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ญ๐˜ฐ๐˜จ๐˜บ ๐˜—๐˜ญ๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ง๐˜ฐ๐˜ณ๐˜ฎ๐˜ด
Digital platforms that have become primary news distribution channels must accept responsibility for promoting authoritative sources, combating misinformation, and ensuring that algorithms do not prioritize sensationalism over accuracy.

๐˜พ๐™ค๐™ก๐™ก๐™š๐™˜๐™ฉ๐™ž๐™ซ๐™š ๐˜พ๐™–๐™ก๐™ก
Press freedom is not a luxury of stable democraciesโ€”it is the foundation upon which democratic stability rests. The challenges facing journalism today require urgent, coordinated action from all sectors of society. We cannot afford to treat press freedom as someone else's responsibility or assume it will survive without active protection and investment.

Today, we call upon:
- Policymakers to strengthen legal protections for journalists and transparency requirements for public institutions
- Business leaders to support local journalism through advertising, partnerships, and direct investment
- Educational institutions to prioritize media literacy as a core civic skill
- Technology companies to design systems that elevate authoritative journalism
- Citizens to become active supporters of quality journalism in their communities

๐™ˆ๐™ค๐™ซ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐™๐™ค๐™ง๐™ฌ๐™–๐™ง๐™™
The future of press freedom will be determined not by any single action, but by the accumulated choices we make daily about how we value, support, and engage with journalism. On this National Press Freedom Day, let us recommit ourselves to the principle that a free press serves not the interests of journalists alone, but the fundamental requirements of democratic society.

The work of protecting press freedom belongs to all of us. Democracy itself depends on our success. (๐˜๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜จ๐˜ฆ: ๐˜‹๐˜ˆ๐˜“๐˜“.๐˜Œ)

29/08/2025

On Public Accountability and Journalist Safety: A Statement on the Actions of Rep. Richard Gomez

The Iloilo Media-Citizen Council (IMCC) expresses grave concern over the recent actions of Leyte Fourth District Rep. Richard Gomez, who publicly posted the names and contact numbers of journalists and accused them of engaging in a paid "media spin."

Rep. Gomezโ€™s act of posting private information is a form of doxing that endangers journalists, exposing them to harassment and intimidation. His unsubstantiated claim of a paid attack is a reckless accusation that undermines the role of the free press. Public officials must understand that scrutiny is part of public service. The media's duty is to ask questions on matters of public concernโ€”such as a collapsed, taxpayer-funded projectโ€”and providing an opportunity for officials to respond is a standard of fairness, not a conspiracy.

Undermining journalists who asks questions that matter to public interest is a deplorable move of public officials who demand comfort in their seats and will only talk to the docile.

A Reminder to Our Colleagues
This incident is also a critical reminder to our colleagues in the press. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to ethical journalism.

Our primary duty is to report on matters of public interest and welfare. We must pursue these stories with unwavering fairness and balance, diligently seeking all sides of an issue and reporting without fear or favor. Let us continue to be the public's watchdog by ensuring our work serves the truth and the public good above all else.

The IMCC stands for a press that is not only free but also responsible.

โ€œโ€ฆthe vision of an effective body that deflected libel cases in favor of voluntary settlement never left the PPIโ€™s Ariel...
15/07/2025

โ€œโ€ฆthe vision of an effective body that deflected libel cases in favor of voluntary settlement never left the PPIโ€™s Ariel Sebellino who was program director during my term. As executive director eventually, Sebellino had been setting the ground for regional media-citizen councils. There are currently 10 of them nationwide, each of them with representatives who have passed a comprehensive course on mediation and conciliation given by the Department of Justiceโ€™s Office of Alternative Resolution. They are also at various stages of completing their registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, and their respective local governments.

We hope that after 60 years, the shift from a self-regulatory national council to an independent co-regulatory mechanism succeeds in upholding a free, professional and ethical press, and mediating potential libel cases.โ€

โ€˜We hope โ€ฆ the shift from a self-regulatory national council to an independent co-regulatory mechanism succeeds in upholding a free, professional and ethical press, and mediating potential libel cases.โ€™ ON this day, 60 years ago, the Philippine Press Council elected its first members. Today, w...

Mark your calendars for the LinK4All Online Summit Day 1!Join the panel discussion on Road Crash Data Insights this July...
14/07/2025

Mark your calendars for the LinK4All Online Summit Day 1!

Join the panel discussion on Road Crash Data Insights this July 15, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The three-day summit runs from July 15-17, 2025 at this time. Register now: bit.ly/L4A_Online_072025 or scan the QR code on the poster.

Reminder for Journalists Covering Police Death in Barotac Nuevo, IloiloAs journalists report on the death of a police of...
09/07/2025

Reminder for Journalists Covering Police Death in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo

As journalists report on the death of a police officer in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, we remind everyone to strictly observe ethical and responsible reporting practices, especially when su***de is suspected.

The Department of Health, in collaboration with mental health professionals and advocacy groups, has released Guidelines for Ethical Reporting of Su***de to minimize harm, avoid sensationalism, and ensure dignity for those affected.

Here are key reminders based on these guidelines:

1. Avoid explicit details of the method or location of death.
Do not describe how the death occurred or where exactly it happened within the police station.

2. Do not speculate on motives or label the incident as su***de without official confirmation from medical or investigative authorities.

3. Use appropriate language. Avoid terms like โ€œcommitted su***de,โ€ which may imply criminality. Instead, use โ€œdied by su***deโ€ or โ€œwas found dead.โ€

4. Respect the privacy of the family and colleagues. Avoid publishing personal details unless they are essential to the story and consent has been obtained.

5. Provide context and balance. Highlight mental health resources and include interviews with experts when relevant, rather than focusing solely on the incident.

6. Include hotline numbers and services for people who may be in crisis. For the Philippines, contact:

Hopeline Philippines: 0917-558-4673 / 0918-873-4673

National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline: 1553 (landline) or 0966-351-4518

Journalists have a crucial role in informing the public without causing further trauma or inadvertently encouraging similar incidents. Letโ€™s approach stories like this with care, compassion, and professional responsibility.

Our sympathies to our colleagues in Bombo Radyo Iloilo 837kHz and the family of Mr. Brabanzo.
26/06/2025

Our sympathies to our colleagues in Bombo Radyo Iloilo 837kHz and the family of Mr. Brabanzo.

๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—ง ๐—œ๐—ก ๐—ฃ๐—˜๐—”๐—–๐—˜, ๐—•๐—ข๐— ๐—•๐—ข ๐—ฅ๐—ข๐—ก๐—›๐—˜๐—Ÿ ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ๐Ÿ•ฏ๏ธ

Ka-Bombo, ginakasubo namon nga ipahibalo sa inyo ang pagtaliwan ni Bombo Ronhel Palencia Brabanzo subong nga adlaw, Hunyo 26, 2025.

Tumandok siya sang Barangay Bancal, Alimodian, nag-gradwar sa program nga Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting sa West Visayas State University, kag nag-umpisa sa iya karera bilang volunteer sa Bombo Radyo Iloilo sang 2022 elections.

Sang Septyembre 2023, pormal siya nga nagpangalagad bilang Bombo Reporter, tubtub nga nangin News Writer kag nag-uyat man sang pila ka programa sa Bombo Radyo Iloilo kaangay sang Bombo Reports First Edition, Bombo News and Views Morning Edition, Bombo News and Views Afternoon Edition, Bombo Reports Afternoon Edition, kag Dura Lex Sed Lex.

Salamat sa pagpakigbahin sang parte sang imo kabuhi sa pagpangalagad sa publiko paagi sa mikropono sang Bombo Radyo. Salamat gid sa imo serbisyo, Bombo Ronhel.

May you rest in peace.

๐๐ฌ๐š๐ฅ๐ฆ ๐Ÿ’๐Ÿ–:๐Ÿ๐Ÿ’ โ€” ๐‘ญ๐’๐’“ ๐’•๐’‰๐’Š๐’” ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’… ๐’Š๐’” ๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐‘ฎ๐’๐’… ๐’‡๐’๐’“ ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’“; ๐‘ฏ๐’† ๐’˜๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐’ƒ๐’† ๐’๐’–๐’“ ๐’ˆ๐’–๐’Š๐’…๐’† ๐’†๐’—๐’†๐’ ๐’•๐’ ๐’•๐’‰๐’† ๐’†๐’๐’…. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿ•Š๐Ÿค

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