Press Freedom

“The failure to prevent the killing of journalists and attacks on the media means that governments and authorities around the world are depriving you, me and everyone else of a fundamental right guaranteed to us by the Universal declaration of Human Rights – that of freely receiving and imparting information and ideas. “Barry James (Press Freedom , Safety of Journalists and Impunity-UNESCO Global Conference)
Whenever a journalist covers a story, there is a chance of conflict between the public’s right to know and the right to privacy of individuals. But the incident which happened Saturday June 9,2012 at the Pinoy Fiesta Trade Show held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre is something else. It is, in reality, a public event where media organizations and the Filipino-Canadian community were invited to attend. The event was also marred by what the president of the Philippine Press Club of Ontario (PPCO) calls an infringement on Press Freedom.
PPCO newly elected president Ricardo Caluen calls it “shocking “to learn that veteran journalist Romeo Marquez who intended to cover the event and interview Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney was barred entry. Mr Marquez showed his ID and credentials to no avail. Whatever reasons the organizers of the event may have for denying entry to this public event should stand to serious media scrutiny.
The first duty of a journalist is to let people know what is going on in the world around them. Likewise, a community journalist is duty bound to inform the community about the goings on in the community, in this particular case, the Filipino-Canadian community. How can we expect community journalists to accurately report about public events and gather their news stories if we deny them access to these public and community events?
Practising journalists, taking into consideration the charter rights of others to privacy, in order to enable them to discharge their essential function in the public interest, shall have the right to freedom of expression that apply to all mass media communications.
“This right shall include freedom to seek, receive, impart, publish and distribute information and ideas.” (Parliamentary Assembly, Resolution 428 (1970)(1) Council of Europe).
Personally I find it somewhat strange that Mr. Marquez was denied entry to the Pinoy Fiesta Trade Show since his intention was to fulfill a writer’s obligation to cover an event as part of his newspaper assignment as columnist for widely read community newspaper “Balita”.
A couple of years ago while writing for the Philippine News Agency and Ang Pahayagang Malaya, I was invited by Linkod Tao Kalikasan to cover an historic global conference on environment. At the media processing centre, I presented my Philippine media ID cards and was admitted to the 3-day “Global Conference on Atmospheric Change” held here at Ontario Place.
If a global conference attended by top journalists around the world would give me, a newcomer from the Philippines , the accreditation and entry into a world class historic conference. I wonder by a simple comparison, why would “Pinoy Fiesta” organizers and representatives deny access to this community public event to veteran journalist Mr. Marquez whose credentials speak volumes?
Doing my research , I came across the Calgary International Airport (YYC) Access Policy, which states:
“Public Area Media Access Policy –Specific permission is not required from the Calgary Airport Authority for media personnel wishing to conduct interviews, film, or take photographs in public, non-restricted areas of the Terminal. It is important, however, that such activity does not impede airline queuing areas or people moving about in the higher traffic areas. Care should be taken to tape down any cables that may present a tripping hazard.”
As far as I am concerned, “Pinoy Fiesta” was not as busy as the Calgary Airport, nor did Mr. Marquez intend to impede any traffic flow of people, Neither did Mr. Marquez need any cables or tapes to secure his small video camera. Interesting to know, isn’t it?
Sure, his name was not on the “Master” or friendly list. But why deny journalist Romeo Marquez access and allow other journalists and dozens of people “free entry” without questions asked?
I am of the view that this unjust and unfair treatment of a fellow journalist is uncalled for and must be strongly condemned in the pursuit of Press Freedom.
Edwin C. Mercurio Chairperson– National Union of Journalists of the Philippines – Canada Chapter