Bill threatens Philippine press freedom and media groups
Any time officials pass a bill they are thinking of a way to make or steal money, gain more power or shut up an already scared news media.
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A proposed law guaranteeing the right of reply to anyone who feels they have been poorly treated by the media threatens press freedom in the Philippines, media groups said Wednesday.
The "Right of Reply Bill", which has wide bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and Senate, proposes heavy fines and jail terms for media groups who do not comply.
A version of the bill has been passed in the Senate, while the House is debating a counterpart bill, although officials said it too is likely to pass.
No date has been given for a consolidated version of the bill by a committee of both houses.
Asked if President Gloria Arroyo would sign it into law or veto it if passed by the legislature, her chief aide Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita told reporters it was "speculative" at this point.
However, Ermita urged Congress to take care that the proposed law does not abridge freedom of the press, which would then violate the Philippine constitution.
"The caveat is be sure it will not be an infringement on the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press," Ermita added.
What has worried local and foreign media groups is the wording of the bill which says anyone "accused of a crime or criticised for any lapse in behaviour" shall be given the right to reply in the medium that published or aired the accusation.
"This bill is in direct conflict with the constitution which guarantees press freedom," Vergel Santos, chairman of the Business World editorial board, told AFP.
"This is just a bill for the politicians who can say what they like about anyone or anything in both houses where they are protected by privilege but scream like hell when they are criticised," he said.
"This is just another attempt to muzzle freedom of speech not only for the local media but foreign media as well," Santos said.
"Once again, press freedom is under siege from political forces insidiously trying to further their personal agenda, this time through legislation," said Nonoy Espina of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines.
The final bill is expected to impose fines of up to 50,000 pesos (1,037 dollars) for failure to comply or up to six months in jail.
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