Palace exec rejects media regulation

Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) head Joel Egco has rejected a proposal to regulate mass media through a so-called Magna Carta for journalists, saying such move was “wrong.”

In a recent interview, Egco said the living conditions of journalists in the country can be improved without resorting to either “regulation” or “accreditation.”

“Ayaw ko ng regulation, mediaman din ako eh (I am also a mediaman, I do not want regulation),” Egco told reporters at the sidelines of the PTFoMS “Seminar on the implementation of the Operational Guidelines of Administrative Order 1.”

AO 1, which was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on October 11, 2016, created the PTFoMS to address violations of the right to life, liberty and security of the members of the media.

Egco rose from the ranks as a reporter to becoming assignments editor and chief of reporters of The Manila Times. Prior to joining the government, he was president of the National Press Club.

Egco said his desire was to give dignity to the profession by strengthening the industry and addressing vulnerabilities.

“How do we address those vulnerabilities para patibayin yung industry (to strengthen the industry?). Hindi para alisin yung mga tao pero para patibayin, lagyan mo ng dignidad yung profession (Not to remove or terminate people, but to dignify the profession),” he said.

On the issue on salaries and wages, Egco cited an old bill in Congress, the Magna Carta for Journalists, which never prospered for reportedly being outrightly unacceptable.

“Dati may Magna Carta for journalists, tinurn-down natin. Why? Walang nakasaad kung magkano ang sweldo. Nire-regulate [ang industriya], ayaw ko din yun (There was a Magna Carta for journalists which we turned down because it did not mention the salaries. It sought to regulate media, I don’t want that too),” he said.

“Hindi mo pwedeng sabihin kung sino lang mag-practice, accredit or not accredit. (You cannot dictate who can practice, who can be accredited or not) That’s wrong!” he added.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE

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