'Right to reply' bill against press freedom, says Gasataya
BACOLOD CITY -- Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Greg Gasataya is against the passage of House Bill No. 3306 authored by Bacolod City Lone District Representative Monico Puentevella which seeks to punish the publisher and editor in chief of a publication or the owner and station manager of a broadcast medium if they fail to give equal treatment to a complainant's reply to a specific report.
Gasataya, a former broadcast journalist, said that Puentevella's bill would only create a problem because if the politicians involved is not available within 24 hours, the station and print media management will be the one to face punishment and penalties.
"What if the politician is not available for interview because he is not around or cannot totally react on the issues hurled against him?" asked Gasataya.
Earlier, Congressman Puentevella said that he filed House Bill No. 3306 at the start of the 14th Congress last year because of his bad experience with some reporters here in Negros Occidental.
He complained that he was victimized all the time and if it is happening here in Negros Occidental, this could also happen elsewhere.
On the other hand, Gasataya said that under the Constitution, "A Filipino citizen has the freedom of expression, and if this freedom is curtailed, he has the right to bring his grievances in court."
"There is a court to hear our grievances if we are accused," Gasataya added.
On the other hand, Puentevella said that the attacks are more vicious during the election season courtesy of newspapers supposedly controlled by people identified with his political opponents.