Cebu declaration 2023: what Cebu media stands for
Cebu media speaking as one
Cebu declaration 2023: what Cebu media stands for
Announced this third day of May in the year 2023 in Cebu City, Philippines in celebration of World Press Freedom Day.
The Cebu Citizens-Press Council shall strive:
[1] To observe the guiding principle, the core of its existence: While media must value and fight for the sacred right to free press and free speech, it must recognize the inherent duty to exercise that freedom responsibly. As summed up in CCPC’s catchphrase: “Being accountable comes with being free.”
[2] To continue CCPC’s initiative to help shape bills or reshape laws related to media — such as those on libel, disinformation, contempt, inciting to sedition — and oppose provisions that enable the aggrieved or vengeful to harass, silence or otherwise fetter the press. CCPC had initiated the drafting and filing of bills in Congress bills aiming to remove unfairness to journalists or avoid source of confusion in existing legislation. Pending bills include House Bill 139, correcting and fixing the venue of criminal and civil action on libel against community journalists, broadcast stations or publications; and HB 6750, setting period of prescription of cyber-libel at one year.
CCPC’s initiative already helped produce (1) the amendment of the Sotto Law or Republic Act #53 by Republic Act 11458 of Aug. 30, 2019, to include broadcasters and digital journalists in its protection and (2) the law, Republic Act #11122 of 2018, declaring Sept. 21 of each year as Cebu Press Freedom Day, a non-working holiday in the province and all the cities and towns of Cebu, to inspire a free yet responsible press.
Its position on pending bills related to media — in CCPC’s public statements — has aimed to help legislators craft legislation regarding media and the practice of journalism.
[3] To push the complete enactment of Cebu City’s Freedom of Information Ordinance of 2019, which allows access to public records of the city government, and help ensure efficient implementation of the ordinance.
Mayor Michael Rama signed on July 28, 2022 City Ordinance 2657, also known as Freedom of Information Ordinance of 2019, but as of April 2023, the ordinance was not yet ready for implementation as (a) the City Council still had to approve the list of exceptions and (b)the city’s executive department, through the City Legal Office, still had to draft its IRR or implementing rules and regulations.
Through its different stages, since 2017– when its first version (Ordinance 2471) was vetoed by then mayor Tomas Osmena — CCPC has worked for its approval and implementation.
[4] To pursue its program of prodding local governments to use their own media prudently and well, resist total propaganda, and instead improve public messaging by candid disclosure of solid facts in plain language. The local government can be pro-active by routinely disclosing information of public interest without waiting for formal request.
With more efficient technology and bigger resources available, each LGU can enlighten constituents directly and through private media.
[5] To raise caution or, when necessary, alarm in case of a threat of prior restraint or actual suppression, be it against an accredited journalist and news organization or anyone else speaking out in social media or public platform. To continue its main program of consulting sectors of the community on media-related issues.
CCPC has brought together various sectors and the journalists covering them. Public officials, police officers, PIOs, the clergy, among others, with the consultation resulting in identifying cause/s of friction. And often in such forums, the threat or violation is better seen and assessed.
When called upon, to mediate in a conflict between news source and journalist over a published material, and thus avert costly and stressful litigation. Unilaterally, it looks into cause of conflict by consultation with aggrieved individuals or sector and the news media.
[6] Whenever and wherever it can, CCPC shall help promote media literacy among news consumers for them to recognize and reject false news and disinformation. It shall encourage adherence to basic values of accuracy and fairness, even among those engaged in media work who justify lapses and errors with the excuse that they’re not journalists. 