Mga mamamahayag, hindi lusot sa civil at criminal case kahit hindi obligadong ibulgar ang source

Dr. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta / Magtanong Kay Attorney

Dear Chief Acosta, Maaari pa rin bang mapanagot ang mga mamamahayag kahit pa sakop sila ng privileged communication tungkol sa kanilang pagbabalita? — Yessah

Dear Yessah, Naaangkop sa inyong katanungan ang Republic Act No. 11458 na mas kilala bilang “AN ACT EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF EXEMPTIONS FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE BY INCLUDING JOURNALISTS FROM BROADCAST, AND NEWS AGENCIES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53”, na nagsasabing:

“SECTION 1. Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal laws, any publisher, owner, or duly recognized or accredited journalist, writer, reporter, contributor, opinion, writer, editor, columnist, manager, media practitioner involved in the writing, editing, production, and dissemination of news for mass circulation, of any print, broadcast, wire service organization, or electronic mass media, including cable TV and its variants, cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news item, report or information appearing or being reported or disseminated through said media, which was related in confidence to the abovementioned media practitioners unless the court or the House of Representatives or the Senate or any committee of Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State.” (Sinalungguhitan at binigyang-diin)

Maliwanag sa nabanggit na probisyon ng batas na bagama’t, mayroong prebilehiyong hindi magsiwalat ng source ang mamamahayag tungkol sa kanyang iniulat ay maaari pa rin siyang mapanagot sa kasong naaangkop at maaaring sakop ng umiiral na criminal at civil laws.

Nawa ay nasagot namin ang inyong katanungan. Nais naming ipaalala sa inyo na ang opinyong ito ay nakabase sa inyong mga naisalaysay sa inyong liham at sa pagkakaintindi namin dito. Maaaring maiba ang opinyon kung mayroong karagdagang impormasyong ibibigay. Mas mainam kung personal kayong sasangguni sa abogado.

Maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.