Brigada suspends anchorman over ‘mishandled’ interview

CEBU, Philippines — The controversial interview by Brigada News FM Cebu anchors that made a 4-year-old rape victim recount her traumatic experience has already caught the attention of Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, said she was “aghast at the inappropriate behavior of the Brigada News FM Cebu anchors.”

“I take great offense at the re-traumatization they caused a 4-yr-old girl,” said Hontiveros in a statement.

A reliable source told The Freeman that the Brigada News Network has already suspended Lawyer Juril Patiño, who made the minor victim recount her experience on the air with lurid details of the incident, starting yesterday until March 31.

His co-anchor Dennes Tabar and reporter Junalyn Jumabis were just given a stern warning since they did not participate in the interview.

The Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) has also looked into the incident for violation of the broadcast code.

According to Hontiveros, one does not need to be a broadcaster to know that what the interviewer did is wrong.

“Sa katunayan, hindi natin kailangan maging mamahayag para makita na napakamali ng ginawa nila,” she said.

Hontiveros also cited the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Law of which she authored that it is unlawful for any announcer or producer to cause any publicity that may result in the suffering of the victim-survivor.

She said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development Administrative Ordinance No. 15 also clearly states that “no live telephone interviews shall be allowed to children victims, particularly the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.”

“I call on the appropriate government agencies, including the DSWD, to lead the inquiry on this matter. We need to ensure that the child is not harmed any further,” she added.

“Ngayon pang Girl Child Week, siguraduhin natin na ang karapatan at kapakanan ng bata ay higit na naproprotektahan,” said the senator.

Earlier, DSWD-7 has expressed concern about media reporting and coverage of cases involving children.

As one of the agencies mandated to protect the rights of children and as Chair of the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children (RCWC), DSWD-7 has called on media practitioners to adhere to the guiding principles on reporting and coverage of children.

DSWD reiterates that conducting interviews of children on sensitive cases require the presence of a psychologist or social worker to assist the interviewee.

“The children’s level of comfort when asking questions and the length of time spent in the interview to prevent the child from further traumatization or victimization should be one of the considerations,” it said.

In reporting or covering cases of abuse and exploitation involving children, DSWD 7 urges media practitioners to discuss the issues surrounding the case rather than the personal circumstances of the victim.

“In all cases involving children, the paramount consideration is the best interest of the child, and we must protect the children from being traumatized and keep their dignity,” it added. – /FPL (FREEMAN)