CAGAYAN DE ORO — The media community mourns the sudden passing of photojournalist Armelito Son during his Traslacion coverage on early Friday, January 9. This incident, according to a coalition of media organizations, should be viewed as an urgent need to review safety protocol for journalists.
In a statement, the Movement for Media Safety Philippines (MMSP) reminded journalists and media workers that safety and security should be a top priority. “Self-assessment on our ability to cover safely as well as establishing when and how to pull out of coverage is an essential step in coverage planning,” the statement reads.
Son, who had been contributing to the tabloid Saksi Ngayon, reportedly collapsed near Quirino Grandstand, which was the starting point of the procession in celebration of the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Manila.
He was rushed to Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center for medical treatment, but was later pronounced dead.
According to MMSP, Saksi Ngayon confirmed that the photojournalist had a cough and cold during coverage, and he had reportedly been experiencing flu-like symptoms since before Christmas. This information was also stated in the Presidential Task Force on Media Security’s statement.
MMSP acknowledged the commitment of Saksi Ngayon to provide financial assistance to Son’s family.
In 2020, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) produced the Philippine Journalists’ Safety Guide, which can be used by journalists and media workers as lead for their work assignments. As a health precaution, the group cited the suggestion of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) that journalists may undergo a complete health check-up prior to deployment to ensure they are in top shape.
MMSP acknowledged that making these decisions would be arduous due to the lack of manpower in some newsrooms, as well as the economic conditions faced by many journalists and media workers.
“Photojournalists and reporters for tabloid newspapers, for example, may be paid on a per-piece basis, at rates of as low as P50-P100,” it said, adding that these practices practically force media workers to work despite not being physically, mentally, and emotionally ready.
It also found out through consultations that some were not even paid or the payment is delayed.
The coalition called on media managers and owners to help keep their staff, stringers, and contributors safe and healthy.
MMSP is a coalition of media organizations, including NUJP, the Philippine Press Institute, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and the People’s Alternative Media Network, among others. They aim to promote the safety and protection of journalists in the country. (RTS)
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