As of posting time, journalists have been required by the military authorities to evacuate Barangay (village) Sta. Catalina because of heavy firefighting.
The following is a summary of the Charter for the Safety of Journalists Working in War Zones or Dangerous Areas adopted by the Reporters Sans Frontieres or Reporters Without Borders:
(Intro. gist) International law requires the warring parties to provide protection to journalists working in war zones. Employers must also provide basic protection, compensation, and guarantees. The following eight principles apply:
Principle 1. Commitment. (gist) Media organizations, the State, and journalists must reduce risks by exchanging useful information, providing enough preparation, equipment, insurance.
Principle 2. Free Will. (gist) Covering armed conflict must always be voluntary. A reporter and/ or his/her crew has the right to refuse the assignment, or to terminate it even while in the field.
Principle 3. Experience. (gist) Only experienced reporters shall be sent to a war zone. Those who are covering combat for the first time must be accompanied by an experienced colleague. After the assignment, editors must provide a debriefing to cull lessons.
Principle 4. Preparation. (gist) Training in how to cope in war zones, how to reduce risks, and how to conduct first aid, must be regularly provided.
Principle 5. Equipment. (gist) Editors should provide war correspondents and their crew with enough safety equipment such as bullet-proof vests, helmets and, if possible, armored vehicles,
communication equipment (locator beacons) and survival and first-aid kits.
Principle 6. Insurance (gist). Before sending reporters and their crew to dangerous assignments, editors must provide insurance for illness, repatriation, disability and loss of life and comply with all professional obligations and agreements.
Principle 7. Psychological counselling. (gist) Media management must ensure that reporters and their crew, if they so desire, have access to psychological counselling after returning from a dangerous assignment.
Principle 8. Legal protection. (gist). Under Protocol 2 of the Geneva Conventions, journalists are considered civilians and entitled to protection. Any attack on journalists that causes their death or injury is a breach of the Protocol and is considered a war crime.
– Summary of the Charter for the Safety of Journalists Working in War Zones adopted by the Reporters sans Frontieres
In remembrance of our colleague and dear friend, Prof. Chit Estella
A mass will be held tomorrow at 10am at the UP CMC auditorium in remembrance of our colleague and dear friend Prof. Chit Estella, sponsored by the faculty and staff of the Department. Family and friends are all invited – please join us!
From gmanetwork.com: “’Run for Road Safety’ to mark Chit Estella’s death anniversary”
“A run for road safety around Metro Manila will mark the first death anniversary of veteran journalist and University of the Philippines Professor Lourdes “Chit” Estella-Simbulan on May 13.
“Estella was killed when a speeding bus hit a taxi she was riding. She was on her way to a gathering with friends at the Ayala TechnoHub at the time.
“In a post on its Facebook page, the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication said the run will come from four points of Metro Manila.
“ ‘On her first death anniversary on May 13, a Sunday, there will be a Metro Manila-wide Run for Road Safety in memory of Chit coming from four points of Metro Manila: Antipolo, Quirino Grandstand, Gateway Cubao and Fairview,” Estella’s husband Professor Roland Simbulan said on the post.
“The runs will all converge at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, where a coordinated program will be held.
“Sponsors and backers of the run include the newly formed Families of Road Victims and Survivors (FRVS), which Simbulan chairs. Co-convenors of the group include former Bulacan Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan and Figaro Executive Pepe Alcantara.
“Other supporters include: Department of Transportation and Communications, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Automobile Association of the Philippines, Motorcycles clubs, bicycle clubs/cyclist clubs, commuters association.— RSJ, GMA News”
invited – please join us!