By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Broadcaster Boy Duran, president of the Negros Press Club (NPC), backed a legislation to decriminalize libel saying journalists need to be protected in their duty to report the truth.
In an exclusive phone interview, Duran, an industry veteran, evaded questions on the merits of the planned charges by Moises Padilla Mayor Magdaleno “Magsie” Peña against a local newspaper, but made it clear that “cases should not hinder the responsibility of the press to uphold accountability.”
“Sometimes we are being accused of libel, while in fact we don’t have any malice intended in giving statements,” Duran said. “So I agree on decriminalizing libel against media men.”
Duran clarified Peña has every right to air his grievances in any forum, after claiming a local paper has refused to publish his statement explaining he was not behind the statement of calling the boycott of Coca-Cola as “stupidity.”
The broadcaster explained he will not take sides regarding the controversial statement, but he believes the involved newspaper publication is responsible in their news write ups and they could stand by their stories.
He also said the incident should serve as a valuable lesson to media men in Negros Occidental to be responsible in their jobs in giving the right information to the people.
“It will not deter us in doing our jobs, but rather it would strengthen us,” Duran said.
Earlier, Peña said he was shocked to have read a recent story circulated by a local newspaper which made him appear as the “villain” among the sugar stakeholders in Negros Occidental.
He also stated he plans to file charges against the local publication amounting to P20 million./WDJ