Black armbands symbolize media protest over Maguindanao massacre

Black ribbons and armbands will highlight media practitioners’ outrage over the killing of at least 12 of their colleagues in Monday’s massacre in Maguindanao province. Radio dzBB reported Wednesday that the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) sought this gesture also as a show of solidarity with families of the slain media workers. KBP president Herman Basbaño also called for wearing of black ribbons or armbands to send a message to the perpetrators that media will not be cowed over Monday’s carnage. Basbaño is also an official of Bombo Radyo, which lost its Koronadal chief reporter Bart Maravilla in Monday’s incident.

Media practitioners in the provinces started wearing black as early as Tuesday. Radio dzBB’s Iloilo affiliate reported media practitioners wore black shirts or sported black ribbons and armbands as a show of protest. A similar action was reported in Cebu province. - LG/RSJ, GMANews.TV