NUJP will no longer appeal SC guidelines on massacre coverage

After a meeting with Supreme Court spokesman and administrator Jose Midas Marquez on Wednesday, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said it will no longer appeal the guidelines for the live media coverage of the Maguindanao massacre trial. Speaking to reporters, NUJP secretary general Rowena Paraan said the meeting with Marquez provided clarity, making it easier for media networks to work around the guidelines. "We will no longer file a motion for reconsideration because a lot was clarified. And I think that the sentiment during the meeting earlier is we will no longer file a motion for reconsideration," Paraan said. Fifty-seven people, including 32 journalists, were killed in the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre blamed on the powerful Ampatuan clan. Among the SC's guidelines is the prohibition of commercial breaks or voice-overs by news anchors. The guidelines also said that those who ask permission to air the trial live must cover the proceedings in full until a decision is promulgated. The NUJP was among the groups that initially found the rules too strict. On Wednesday, Paraan said despite the NUJP's earlier criticisms, they still welcome the high court's decision to allow the live broadcast of the trial. She also said the group is "very happy" with Chief Justice Renato Corona's order to have the SC's website host a live webcast of the trial. "So basically, we are very happy with the decision to allow the live coverage. Wala pa din makakatalo dun. And then yung decision ni chief justice sa web streaming, okay iyon for us," Paraan said. — Sophia Dedace/KBK, GMA News