THE dialogue held recently at the Davao City Police Office between the police/military on one hand and local media practitioners on the other regarding the need to protect journalists from elements who would want to do them harm was an activity whose time had come following the series of attacks on media persons in the country in recent years—not the least the Maguindanao Massacre.
The concern shown by the military and police for the safety of journalists is well taken, and media people ought to appreciate that. But at the end of the day, the best protector of a journalist is himself/herself. This is especially true in the Philippines where, more often than not, the victim happens to be a member of the broadcast industry, usually a block-timer who does not adhere to the Media Code of Ethics. In this country of hotheads, even the slightest insult can trigger dire consequences.
This is not an excuse for people at the receiving end of personal attacks in media to go on the warpath, but a reminder to irresponsible members of media that there is a limit to press freedom. To go beyond that is to invite trouble, sometimes in the form of retaliation that can be deadly, fatal.
There is no way the police or military can protect journalists from those who want them dead unless they assign a bodyguard to each and every member of media 24/7. That’s impossible. Only the journalist can protect himself/herself by exercising prudence and being responsible. Other than that, nobody lives forever. Que sera, sera.
