CAIB to meet Banat news execs

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board is meeting editors of Banat NEWS over a series that it found objectionable.

‘Karon, sa dugay namong pag-monitor sa mga newspapers or tabloids labi na ni ang mga Bisaya, we found out nga nibalik na sad ilang paghimo og mga series nga sugilanon. This time gibalik na sad ilang practice sa una nga descriptive kaayo sa tanan (ug) makapukaw sa imong imahinasyon,” said City Administrator and CAIB Chief Lucelle Mercado.

She said that aside from the editorial executives, they will also summon the writer of the article in question.

Mercado said what they will request is for the papers not to publish sexually-suggestive articles, adding that this is not the first time that local tabloids have committed a similar act.

“Before, ato man ni silang gipatawag pud, giwarningan ug ni-comply…. Karon, among na-notice nga nibalik…ug atong giobserbahan ug unya nianam-anam gyud, mao na siyang atong ipatawag,” the CAIB chief said.

In a press conference yesterday, she particularly mentioned “Mga Eba sa Paraiso ni Adan” written by “Dro Arts” under the entertainment section “Kalandrakas” of Banat NEWS, the sister publication of The FREEMAN.

Quennie Bronce, editor-in-chief of both publications, clarified that it is not the purpose of the daily tabloid to produce stories that CAIB interprets as inappropriate.

“It is never our intention to publish lewd articles. The ‘Mga Eba sa Paraiso ni Adan’ is a story that tackles family issues and is definitely not smut,” she said in a press statement.

She, however, said executives of the daily paper are willing to have a dialogue with CAIB pertaining to the article.

“We are very much open to discuss with them their concerns about the Banat NEWS series,” she said.

Mercado clarified, though, that they are not singling out Banat NEWS.  She warned other tabloids and even radio stations to refrain from publishing and/or broadcasting sexually-suggestive stories, as CAIB continues to keep an eye and ear on them all.  (FREEMAN)