Justice officials will be tapping the broadcast media in its crackdown on white slavery and human trafficking.
In a statement, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) said it will be working closely with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) to raise awareness of media professionals on relevant human trafficking issues, pertinent laws and issuances, confidentiality requirements, as well as gender-sensitive and child-appropriate approaches to reporting.
Officials of the KBP for their part said they shall observe the highest ethical and professional standards in reporting and covering cases of trafficking in persons. KBP also pledged to raise awareness of the public by having public affairs programs and commentaries on human trafficking.
KBP made a public declaration to hold a united stand against trafficking in persons pursuant to RA 9028 or “Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2003.” This is in line with the purpose of the KBP to elevate professional and ethical standards in Philippine broadcasting, promote social responsibility in broadcasting, work for the advancement of the broadcast industry and protect the rights and interests of broadcasters, seminars and conferences.
The KBP, in its pursuit to provide fair, factual and objective reporting and broadcasting, promised to be sensitive to vulnerable situation of trafficked victims, so they are not re-victimized or re-traumatized. It also pledged to protect not only the identity of the trafficked victims, including their family members, directly or indirectly.
Justice Undersecretary Jose Vicente Salazar, head of IACAT, expressed elation that a prestigious media group such as the KBP is taking an active and direct involvement in the arduous fight against human trafficking. He added that the media conference and the resulting manifesto serves to inspire media practitioners to practice responsible reporting of human trafficking cases in accordance with gender-sensitive and child-friendly standards.
Source:http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20120417met2.html://s7.addthis.com/static/r07/widget005_top.png
