Media groups, SC to discuss Ampatuan massacre trial live coverage

Media organizations and networks are set to meet with court administrator Jose Midas Marquez next week to discuss the implementation of the Supreme Court's guidelines for the live coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial. "I've agreed to some appointments already.... My meeting with these media groups will be basically within the parameters set by the resolution," said Marquez, also the SC's spokesman, at a news briefing on Friday. Marquez, however, declined to name the parties he will have a dialogue with because "the media networks and groups may not be amenable to my disclosing." The high-profile Maguindanao massacre trial, where members of the powerful Ampatuan clan are the key suspects, is being handled by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221. Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued a landmark resolution allowing the trial to be aired live. While media groups like the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomed the SC's ruling, they still found the coverage guidelines strict. In addressing the complaints, Marquez said the SC wanted no commercial breaks and no remarks by news anchors so that the public can watch the trial in its entirety and enable them to form their own opinions. "As much as possible, we don't want to unduly influence the public. That is what this live coverage is all about," he said. Marquez added the parties that petitioned the court to allow the live coverage — NUJP, ABS-CBN and GMA — may file a motion for clarification or a motion for reconsideration to challenge or appeal the SC's guidelines. On Friday, Marquez said that the SC will only amend the guidelines if there are proper pleadings filed with the SC. "Amendments of those guidelines will have to have a court action. I cannot amend those guidelines myself," said Marquez, clarifying the scope of his meeting with media groups and networks. — RSJ, GMA News