Cebu City (PNA) – Radio blocktimers in Cebu have opposed the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’ proposal to ban their shows during the campaign period next year.

“Banning blocktiming during the elections is unconstitutional and a direct violation of press freedom,” said Engineer Greg Senining, President of the Cebu Association of Media Practitioners (Camp) and a radio blocktimer in Cebu for more than 27 years.

Blocktimers are broadcasters who are not employed by radio stations but buy airtime to air their commentaries.

Senining said he was saddened with the statement of Comelec’s Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano to that effect since being a lawyer, the latter should know that press freedom is a basic right.

Castillano, during a consultation meeting with the Cebu Citizens Press Council (CCPC) recently, told members of the media that there is a need to ban blocktiming during the campaign period due to the numerous election-related violence that these programs tend to incite.

Senining said the election officer’s allegation that blocktimers tend to incite election-related violence was just “a figment of his imagination.”

”The media helps in exposing the truth. We are not polluting the air lanes,” said Senining.

Instead of placing a ban on blocktiming, Senining suggested that the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) monitor its ranks or implement the law on blocktimers who commit violations.

”There are numerous laws, such as the libel law, which regulate the media,’ said Senining.

For his part, Rep. Pastor Alcover Jr. (Anad Party-list) said Castillano’s suggestion is unconstitutional and undemocratic because this is an infringement on the freedom of speech.

Alcover used to be a blocktimer in radio dyLA in Cebu City when he organized the anti-Communist group Kadre, waging war against communist insurgents in Cebu.

He said he too had been a victim of negative radio commentaries just recently, but he never thought of going after the commentators because he believes one has a right to criticize based on one’s belief.

Alcover also said that he will defend the right of speech of a broadcaster, whether he is employed by a radio station or is a blocktimer.

He said a person can seek redress of grievances in court if a blocktimer resorts to black propaganda to malign his name.

The Cebuano solon also said Castillano should not single out blocktimers because there is a host of radio commentary programs used by the station violating the Code of Ethics in broadcasting.

”Being a member of KBP is not a guarantee that a broadcast company will abide by the law because some KBP members who are employed by the stations malign people and are not disciplined by the Kapisanan,” Alcover said.