We, the members of the Union of Journalists of the Philippines--University of the Philippines-Diliman (UJP-UP), wish to express our grave concern over the alleged wiretapped conversations between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an official of the Commission on Elections.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered radio and television stations, especially all broadcasters, "to be careful and circumspect in the handling of news reportage, coverage of current affairs and discussion of public issues."
The NTC has also warned that the broadcast/airing of the tapes would cause the suspension, revocation and/or cancellation of the radio and television stations' licenses or authorizations issued to (them) if the said tapes are found to be "false and/or fraudulent."
As students of journalism, we have been taught of the principles of journalism ethics and mass media law. We believe that media should only be reprimanded if they show any unfair coverage or unethical practices; until the government could find some, they should not control the media.
The UJP-UP embraces a pro-student and pro-masses stance and inculcates in its members the ethical principles and responsibilities that should govern the practice of the profession. Committed to preparing and training our members to become confident, competent, responsible and principled media practitioners, the UJP-UP is worried about this NTC decision that threatens the Philippine media, not to mention the growing number of unsolved killings of journalists.
Although the NTC decision does not concern us directly, we believe that our future, as would-be media practitioners, is at stake.