A Dumaguete radio announcer was acquitted last Friday by the Regional Trial Court of two counts of libel.
Libel is a common crime that journalists could be charged with. This is considered as one of the hazards of this job because there is only a fine line that divides libel from fair comment.
But while a libel charge is fairly common, there is something unusual about this case. This case was filed at the instance of a complaint filed by no less than the governor of Negros Oriental.
Gov. Roel Degamo filed libel charges against broadcaster Cornelio Pepino, a.k.a. Rex Cornelio of radio DYMD Original Energy FM, after the broadcaster uttered statements in his radio program that the Governor said maliciously maligned his good name.
RTC Judge Arlene Catherine Dato examined the statements uttered by Pepino word-for-word, and found that the broadcaster was merely telling the truth, and that all his statements were backed by documents.
Most of all, the Judge said the Prosecution was not even able to prove that the statements were uttered with malice. Thus, she threw the complaint out the window.
Of course, no one likes to be criticized. In fact, it is always tempting for people in top public positions to believe they can do no wrong, thanks to the many sycophants surrounding the top honchos, and praising them every minute.
But isn’t it true: When all a leader hears around him/her are admiration, applause, flattery, adulation, accolade, shouldn’t he/she start to get worried?
Once someone decides to become a public official, he/she should be open to criticism.
Public officials have to accept criticism from legitimate media if it pertains to their fiscal policies and programs.
They cannot be, as the good Judge reminded, too onion-skinned.
In local parlance, we say, “Pildi ang maglagot.” In Tagalog, “Talo ang pikon.”
We hope this becomes a learning experience for politicians and legitimate media alike.
Long live legitimate media!
