http://www.gmanews.tv/story/173187/m...y-iloilo-media


[SIZE="4"]Media restrictions trigger boycott of Arroyo visit by Iloilo media[/SIZE]
09/25/2009 | 09:45 PM


Several Iloilo-based media outlets boycotted President Arroyo’s visit to the province Thursday, over what they claimed was an unfair arrangement imposed by the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

Radio dzBB’s Iloilo affiliate reported Friday that local journalists were slighted when only one reporter from one media outlet was allowed to interview Mrs. Arroyo at her “press conference" in the province on Thursday afternoon.

The report said the journalists were furious at the OPS imposition, prompting them to not cover the President's arrival at the Iloilo Airport. Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Raul Banias reportedly called up local media outlets to ask them to lift the boycott.

Mrs. Arroyo proceeded to Iloilo Thursday afternoon shortly after her foreign trip to Turkey, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.

A report on the Iloilo-based news site The News Today said media outlets that joined the boycott included Bombo Radyo Iloilo and Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) Iloilo.

“We have made our collective decision and that is for a boycott and no media coverage for the President. If they do not want us there and want to regulate the media presence, then let’s give it to them," said Ronnel Sorbito, RMN Iloilo station manager.

Both Bombo Radyo and RMN Iloilo have aired live coverage of all previous visits of Mrs. Arroyo to the province.

GMANews.TV tried to get the reaction of presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo, but she remained unavailable as of posting time. - KIMBERLY JANE T. TAN, GMANews.TV

Looks like Iloilo media people can play that media game better than the Office of the Press.