The PNP/AFP Press Corps in the region inked a pact that formalizes a protocol to be observed by the media during a crisis situation.
Following the desire of Davao media to have a guide to follow, especially in a hostage crisis, the latter signed last Thursday an agreement with police regional office officer-in-charge Senior Superintendent Jose Jorge E. Corpuz in the presence of some members of the PNP/AFP Press Corps.
The AFP, PNP, and local media mutually and voluntarily agreed to observe the protocol when a crisis situation arises.
The media is called to report immediately to law enforcers the occurrence of a hostage or critical incident that was brought to their attention. During a live coverage, media should seriously weigh benefits to the public as against the potential harm the information may cause before releasing it.
Inflammatory catchwords and phrases are highly discouraged as well as making telephone calls to interview terrorists, gunmen, or hostage taker.
The media also agreed to avoid reporting police operational plans, like assault plan and other tactics. Reporting a factual or speculative mental condition of the hostage taker is also found crucial, thus, the media is discouraged from doing so.
In interviewing family members of those involved in a stand-off operation, the media is also called to exercise care.
Also included in the protocol is the clear role of the journalist to fight his urge to become a player in the stand-off or as negotiator.
Learning from last year’s hostage incident that killed tourists, the media here came up with an agreed protocol to avoid the recurrence of such situation. [Mai Gevera/ PIA 11]
