The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) slammed local colleagues for allegedly failing to play its role in seeking justice for the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre of 32 journalists and media workers in Maguindanao.

“Mass media’s short attention span and susceptibility to the lure of reporting those events that help boost ratings and circulations” is partly to blame for the slow progress of court cases, the groups said in their statement titled “Lest We Forget.”

“Forgetfulness is among the worst vices of a people whom the media have failed to provide information crucial to their lives. And yet, forgetfulness is the sure guarantee for the repetition of such atrocities as the Ampatuan massacre, the human rights violations that continue to haunt this country, and the constant peril of authoritarian rule. Only by remembering the past can we prevent its repetition," they added.

Issued on March 3 to mark the 100th day since the election-related massacre, the CMFR and SEAPA urged the media to renew commitment to staunchly pursue justice for their colleagues.

The slain journalists joined a convoy of mostly female relatives and supporters sent by Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu to Shariff Aguak to file his certificate of candidacy for governor.

Their bullet-ridden bodies were later found in Ampatuan town, a stronghold of the Ampatuan clan, Mangudadatu's political rival for the post.

The main suspect in the massacre, ex-Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., is on trial for multiple murder charges.

The CMFR and SEAPA also warned that they see danger in the series of postponements of Andal Jr.’s bail hearing. (with Nonoy M. Lacson)