(We yield this space to the statement of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines’ National Directorate due to its timeliness. – Ed.)
THE NATIONAL Union of Journalists of the Philippines is concerned about a directive to police units nationwide to implement a communications program that has seen law enforcers visiting media outfits to seek “partnerships” to “showcase the PNP’s good deeds.”
We have obtained a copy of a directive issued to the Cebu City police dated Oct. 2 that “pertains to the optimal use of various media platforms to enhance the PNP’s operational capability” and is based on the “verbal instruction of CPNP,” meaning PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde.
While it does not explain how the police should use media to enhance their capability, the directive orders them to “coordinate with local media outlets within your AOR and embark on partnership programs/activities to showcase the PNP’s good deeds” and is “for strict compliance.”
The memo to the Cebu PNP also reminds police personnel to “always stay composed and steadfast in the performance of their sworn duty to serve and protect” and “to always observe proper decorum at all times and refrain from being swayed by emotions in spite of the countless pressures and stresses that they may encounter in the performance of their duty as police officers.”
Apparently as a result of Albayalde’s order, our Bacolod City chapter has confirmed that policemen visited the local office of a daily asking for positive coverage because most of the news about the PNP lately has supposedly been negative. Other news outlets in the city were also visited. Colleagues in Cebu City also confirmed similar visits to the main office of the newspaper chain and at least one radio station.
More worrisome is that the visiting lawmen actually took photos of the staff at the Bacolod newspaper’s office without asking permission first and, reportedly, also at the Cebu radio station.
NUJP members in Batangas also reported that the PNP in the province now refuses them access to spot reports, citing a so-called directive from the national headquarters. They are only being given press releases that only cite their “accomplishments” in a clear effort to dictate how the local media report on police activities.
To be fair, there is nothing wrong about wanting good press.
However, it is one thing to cover the PNP’s accomplishments, and the media have never been remiss about giving credit where it is due. It is a totally different matter, though, to seek to recruit the media in a campaign meant to spruce up the service’s image.
The truth is, the best way – the only way, in fact – for the PNP to improve its standing and earn the public’s trust is simply to fulfill its sworn duty to serve and protect the citizenry. It fails to do so and no amount of image building can hope to succeed.
