A REPRESENTATIVE of the police beat reporters in the Province of Cebu asked police officials to reconsider their decision to disallow journalists from looking into spot reports.
Veteran broadcast and print journalist Arnold Bustamante, the Defense PNP Press president, said that police officials need not worry about releasing any information through spot reports or press releases, as the journalists are exercising due diligence in reporting with standard of professionalism.
“We are open for any communication from the police officials to resolve the matter as soon as possible purposely not to curtail what the public deserves to know,” he said.
The police in Central Visayas received on Tuesday morning, September 12, a memorandum ordering them not to release spot reports to the media. The order was sent via text message from Camp Crame. The memorandum was not publicized as it was labeled “confidential.”
The order was issued just as the Cebu media is celebrating the Broadcasters Month and about to mark the annual Press Freedom Week, which will start this Sunday, Sept. 17, with a parade.
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For his part, Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists president Elias Baquero criticized the move, saying it is an attack on the freedom of the press.
“It is the duty of the media reporters, as members of the fourth estate, to get reports (like spot reports) from the PNP,” he said. “If the PNP officer/s will not give the copy of a spot report...then he cannot prevent the public from speculating that he is hiding something.”
Police Regional Office 7 Director Jose Mario Espino said the spot reports should not be freely given to reporters.
“Media could continue their rapport with the PNP by asking the PNP officers for some information and facts of the incidents, but the PNP official reports, case folders, etc. should be treated with utmost care because it might affect or jeopardize the investigation,” he said.
The Cebu City Police Office will also be implementing the same measure.
Insp. Llewelyn Reyes, CCPO public information officer, said that the city police force received the order through text from Camp Crame. (KAL/JOB)