When does pushy reporting become an act of harassment? Pia Ranada on Harassment of PSG Guard.

Ms. Ranada of Rappler

I guess you all have heard that Pia Ranada was barred to enter the entire Malacanang complex. When she was informed of the order of the President to bar her from entering the premises, she went on to push the buttons of the Presidential Security Group officer who was tasked to inform her, baiting him with inane questions about who ordered it, if it was only one building and not the entire complex and if she will be allowed to enter again. She kept repeating those questions with her smartphone on video, chasing after the PSG officer, trying to stick her smartphone in his face. I felt bad for the PSG officer because she didn't let up. I think I'm the only one who is sticking up for this guy. It was a clear case of harassment.

Although there are no laws placed here in the Philippines regarding journalist harassment, a few countries have placed laws to limit journalists and media in the lives of their subjects and have also enacted laws that define harassment made by journalists included in an editor's code of practice. In the UK, the Independent Press Standards Organisation enforces The Code, otherwise known as the Editor's Code of Practice, which is a set of rules and regulations that newspapers and magazines adhere to. It aims to create a balance between both the rights of the individual and the public's right to know.

According to the preamble of The Code- to achieve this balance, it is essential that The Code is honored and that interpretation of the code be neither narrow (not compromising the rights of the individual) nor broad that it infringes the basic right of the freedom of expression. It is the main duty of the editors and publishers to apply the code to any material and to ensure that it is observed by all staff- journalist or otherwise.

Under The Code, is HARASSMENT. Included under Harassment is:

1. Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment, or persistent pursuit.

2. They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist, nor remain on the property when asked to leave and must follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.

3. Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care to use non-compliant material from other sources.

Although these are rules set in the UK, it can be made as a basis of my remark- that Pia Ranada was out of line and harassed that poor officer. One, she was told repeatedly that she was barred from the premises and she did not make an effort to leave. Two, after being shunned away from the PSG officer and repeatedly being gestured to decline questioning, she chased after him with her smartphone like one those "naggers" who repeatedly pushes her husband's buttons until he snaps (still wrong to strike a woman but you now know where the men are coming from). The PSG Commander Dagoy was reported saying that Ms. Ranada should be thankful that the Palace Guard didn't hurt her. He's RIGHT. She was intimidating the officer with her continuous flux of questions, exciting the other media who seemed to flock and take videos of the guard who was trying so hard to run away but couldn't leave his post.

In all honesty, if the Palace Guard did hurt Ranada, it would be considered legal. She is barred from entering the Presidential Palace, she poses a threat to security by trying to enter, and by doing so can be a warrant to be shot at sight. You being a journalist or part of the media does not allow to act above credence to law. Plus, that's the Presidential Palace- have some God damn respect.

I suggest having a female PSG officer at the site so if a female journalist pulls a stunt like that again, she (the guard) can throw her down MMA style.

To Ms. Ressa, you and your Rappler group are becoming too much. I thought maybe the SEC problem would make you guys HUMBLE and bring you down to Earth, but you are still overstepping boundaries. As the Editor in Chief put your lapdogs on a tight leash. You are embarrassing the rest who merit integrity. And you call yourself a legitimate media company. You don't act like one.

Pia Ranada, you seem like a smart girl. Start acting like one. Take my advice, ditch Rappler. It's a sinking ship. Bail while you still can.

The Pinoy Inquisitor will be back!