Palace favors live coverage of Ampatuan murder trial

Malacañang favors live media coverage of the trial on the multiple-murder case stemming from last year’s Maguindanao massacre, but admitted the court has the final say on the matter. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said what happened on November 23 last year was a “media event" and a tragedy that the world took notice of. “The decision to cover it live or not is with the judiciary. But for us, live coverage will be good because we can keep track of the proceedings," he said on government-run dzRB radio on Saturday. Court hearings on the Maguindanao massacre case resumed on September 8, nearly a year after 57 people – including 32 journalists – were massacred in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao province. Sen. Miriam Santiago pushed for live media coverage of the trial. But the Quezon City court handling the case has banned live coverage of the trial. Media representatives covering the trial are barred from bringing electronic items into the court room. “Unfortunately, it is out of our hands. We were all shocked at the ignominy that occurred and we would like to know what happened there," Lacierda said. He said it may be up to the Supreme Court to determine if the trial can be aired live. — LBG, GMANews.TV