Manicad seeks better pay for media members

SENATORIAL candidate Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad Jr. called on media companies to provide hazard and overtime pay for members of the media covering campaign sorties.

Manicad, a former journalist, vowed to push for better compensation and rights of media members, especially those who work long hours wered subjected to vulnerable situations.

He said that this move was important since the media industry must serve as a “model” for others to follow.

“It is just right to look into these issues, since members of the media are being looked up to by the public. We should not treat reporters or cameramen like commodities, just like how we should not be treating our minimum wage workers as commodities,” Manicad said in a statement.

He added that the plight of provincial media members should be looked into because these were sometimes disregarded and ignored.

“I would like to stress here especially the rights of the local and regional press. For members of the national press, their needs are more visible. But those in the local or provincial media, their exposure is smaller and their rights are not discussed as much,” he said.

Manicad said provincial media members often serve as “strong guardians” of public welfare in many localities.

“Local and provincial press do an equally important job of telling the news and exposing the truths in small towns and municipalities. This election, one of our watchers against election- related violence and cheating are the local media. We have to treat them more fairly,” he added.

Manicad earlier called on local government units and the police to safeguard the lives of members of the media during the election season, saying many journalists and reporters had been attacked while on coverage.