Organizers of rapporteur’s Baguio meeting slammed

A GROUP of news reporters in Northern Luzon expressed deep concern regarding what they called “lack of transparency and accountability” allegedly demonstrated by the organizers of a recent meeting with United Nations Special Rapporteur Irene Khan held in Baguio City.

The Northern Luzon Command Defense Press Corps (NDPC) issued the statement over the weekend after its members were prevented from entering the venue where a meeting with the UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression was taking place.

Homer Teodoro, NDPC president, said inviting the press to cover an event but are barred from entering the venue “is a glaring and clear disrespect to members of the media.”

Teodoro said such conduct is “unacceptable and a clear repression of freedom of the press contrary to the purported goals of the visit of Khan.”

“In effect, the press is suppressed, and the public’s right to information was curtailed,” he said.

The NDPC has demanded that the organizers provide a full explanation for their actions and take measures to ensure that similar actions are not repeated in the future.

“We demand the organizers to provide a full explanation for this decision and to ensure that such actions are not repeated in the future,” Teodoro said.

The NDPC also emphasized that transparency and accountability are essential for fostering trust and credibility in any organization or event, and called on all involved parties to prioritize these principles moving forward.

Meanwhile, the Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) called on all organizations and event organizers to respect the role of the media and uphold the principles of freedom of the press.

In a separate statement, the Nolcom vowed to ensure that the rights of the press to cover events and report on matters of public interest are safeguarded.