Probe ordered into media’s ‘irresponsible reporting’ during disaster
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 5 (PIA) -- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is set to conduct an in-depth investigation over the alleged irresponsible reporting by a local radio program which caused panic at the height of the Feb. 6, 2012 earthquake that rocked Negros Oriental.
Cong. Rodolfo Biazon, chair of the Committee on National Defense and Security in the House of Representatives, during an oversight committee meeting held March 2 at the Dumaguete City Session Hall, ordered the OCD to look into the airing of unverified reports by two unnamed local broadcasters after the issue was raised by First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong.
Limkaichong, during the meeting, expressed her frustration over two “irresponsible broadcasters” who reported on air that the towns of La Libertad and Guihulngan are about to submerged after the earthquake.
This triggered panic among the towns’ residents, causing some to pack up and evacuate to higher grounds, she said.
OCD Provincial Coordinator Allen Cabaron confirmed Limkaichong’s complaint, saying that he immediately went to the radio station to correct the broadcasters’ false reports.
Limkaichong insisted that action be made to teach said broadcasters a lesson to avoid similar incidents of wrong information being reported during disasters.
She wanted Cabaron to name the broadcasters but Biazon stepped in and said that they will be identified only during OCD’s investigation.
It is up to OCD to coordinate with media organizations like the Kilusan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) for the appropriate actions to be meted out on these broadcasters, said Biazon.
He underscored the need for radio reporters to first verify the information they receive before reporting it on air especially during disasters like typhoons and earthquakes, and issues involving national security.
OCD Administrator Benito Ramos said that media entities, broadcasters and reporters should only air official information coming from his office.
“Information not coming from OCD should not be announced or reported,” said Ramos.
KBP Negros Oriental Chapter President Roy Bustillo said that to date, he has yet to receive an official communication from OCD over the alleged irresponsible reporting of the local broadcasters.
“Once I hear from them about this matter, I will coordinate with OCD and look into this issue since KBP also has its own process when it comes to situations like this,” said Bustillo. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from Maricar Aranas)