Ban on Ocampo interviews: High-handed and arbitrary

MANILA -- The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines
protests in the strongest terms the high-handed and arbitrary ban
imposed by Manila Police District director, Sr Supt Danilo Abarzosa on
personal interviews with detained Bayan Muna Rep Satur Ocampo .

We do understand that there are some limits imposed on access to
detainees, although it is worth mentioning here that Rep. Ocampo is an
accused detainee not a convicted prisoner and one who has yet even to
go to trial.

But we question Abarzosa's reasons for the media ban.

First, he professes the lawmaker's safety. But reporters do not pose
any security threat for Ocampo and there is no link between the
lawmaker's exercise to free speech with dangers to his person.

Second, Abarzosa's comment, "what's there to ask?" is not just
fatuous; it is dangerous because we have a police officer taking over
the news judgment functions of editors and reporters. This, in effect,
is prior restraint on media.

We would like to believe that Abarzosa's ill-advised media ban is a
unilateral decision and not officially sanctioned or ordered by PNP
headquarters. We assert that there is and can be no compelling reason
for the ban and demand its immediate lifting.

We also demand that the PNP leadership look into this unfortunate
decision by one of its own and impose the necessary disciplinary
action on Abarzosa. Inaction in this instance would be tantamount to
approving of this abominable policy.

Reference:
Jose Torres Jr., NUJP chairperson
Rowena Paraan, NUJP secretary-general

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NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
www.nujp.org
105-A Scout Castor Street (near Morato Avenue)
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (+632) 4117768
Email: nujphil@gmail.com
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Report it to NUJP's Threat Hotline: (+632) 411-7768
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"There can be no press freedom if journalists
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