Strict coverage rules set for Ampatuan trial judgment

Only two video cameras will be allowed to take footage of the proceedings to be provided and manned by the personnel of the state-run PTV 4. #maguindanaomassacre

The BJMP compound will be locked down at 6 a.m. on 19 December. (GMA video)

The People’s Television Network (PTV) will be the only media entity that will cover live the promulgation of judgment on the Ampatuan trial inside the courtroom of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) inside the Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on 19 December.

PTV 4 will then feed the footage to TV organizations, the Supreme Court said Monday in a briefing of members of the media on the coverage rules.

SC Spokesperson and Assistant Court Administrator Atty. Bryan Keith Hosaka conducted the final briefing of the various media organizations that were given accreditation to cover the much awaited promulgation that was coming since a decade after members of the Ampatuan clan were charged for the crime.

Strict guidelines has been set by the BJMP and SC for the members of the media. Hosaka said the media should follow all the guidelines for the orderly conduct of the coverage.

Last week, in a notice sent to newsmen, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Hosaka assured the public that the high court will immediately upload the decision of the trial court in the case in the SC website as soon as possible.

Only two video cameras will be allowed to take footage of the proceedings to be provided and manned by the personnel of the state-run PTV 4 upon the request of the high court.

The first camera of PTV shall be directed at the judge and whoever will read the decision, on a wide angle shot, while the second camera of PTV shall be directed at the lawyers, counsels and the parties, also on a wide angle shot.

There will be no pan of shot of the surroundings or zoom in on any individuals inside the courtroom.

The video footage shall be shared in real-time with other broadcast networks.

Also, there will be no expert commentaries to be allowed during the live coverage of the promulgation and PTV shall air the promulgation without any interruption.

Hosaka, in the final briefing, advised the different news organization that they should immediately inform the Public Information Office of the SC Monday afternoon of any changes of personnel or vehicle they will use.

The news people should be inside the compound before the 6 a.m. lockdown on 19 December.

On 22 August, the case was submitted for decision and the deadline for the promulgation of judgment should have been on 20 November, three days before the massacre’s 10th anniversary on 23 November. But the SC granted the request of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 221 Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes to be given more time to come up with a decision.

At least 58 people were killed in the massacre, including 32 journalists and media workers. It was the single worst peace-time killing of newsmen.

Other victims were family members and supporters of the Ampatuan clan’s political foe, Esmael Mangudadatu.