CHR not keen on arming journalists in poll hotspots

Despite last Monday’s gruesome massacre in Maguindanao that killed 30 journalists, the Commission on Human Rights still doesn’t recommend arming journalists covering election hotspots. Instead, CHR Chairwoman Leila de Lima proposed a system for close coordination among media outfits and networks, especially in covering conflict areas. “We would rather (encourage) media outfits and networks to have some kind of coordination protocol in covering in poll hotspots," De Lima said in an interview on dzBB radio Sunday. She added that journalists can request security from the proper authorities. At least 30 journalists were among more than 50 people killed in last Monday’s massacre. Datu Unsay town mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. has been implicated in the massacre and is now detained at the National Bureau of Investigation. - GMANews.TV