Cebu declaration 2020: what Cebu media stands for
Cebu media speaking as one
Cebu declaration 2020: what Cebu media stands for
Feb. 28, 2021
CEBU CITIZENS-PRESS COUNCIL
[1] Freedom and accountability. CCPC’s catchphrase: “Being accountable comes with being free.”
[2] Don’t decriminalize but remove jail penalty, harsh rules. CCPC says the community may want to keep libel, unlawful utterances and the other legislated limits to free press. But remove imprisonment, change oppressive venue, reduce excessive fines.
[3] Right of reply shall not be legislated. Standards and policies of media organizations already require the grant in the interest of fairness. If “fake news” shall be penalized, Congress shall clearly define terms and the prohibited acts, which must not constitute prior restraint.
[4] Right of the aggrieved person to sue or the government to enforce regulations shall not be abused. Often it is used to punish for adverse news or to quell dissent.
[5] Call out falsehood even in a news story. When the lie is patent and even on record, tagging it as false or misleading is not opinion or commentary. It is part of the news story’s facts.
[6] Hear out local government and nongovernment groups for legitimate complaints against the press. Media’s claim of the right to self-regulation might be rebuffed if it is seen as incapable or unwilling to correct mistakes and lapses.
[7] Consultation and mediation, instead of litigation, may be more efficient in settling media issues. This has worked in Cebu when media and news sources listen to one another’s grievance. 