Communications Secretary Dave Gomez
THE Presidential Communications Office has appealed to private media organizations to exercise “extreme care and responsibility” when covering incidents involving minors, warning that certain details could encourage copycat acts.
Communications Secretary Dave Gomez emphasized that while the government has no intention of imposing restrictions on press freedom, media practitioners must balance the public’s right to information with the need to protect vulnerable individuals. The appeal comes amid heightened public concern following recent high-profile incidents involving young people, including the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University where the alleged perpetrator was a minor.
Gomez stressed that coverage should safeguard the dignity, safety, and privacy of minors involved in such events, as well as the welfare of bereaved families and the integrity of ongoing investigations.
He urged news outlets to avoid publishing or broadcasting graphic content, identifying information, or specific operational details that could be replicated by others, particularly in cases where the perpetrator is a child or young person. Responsible reporting, he said, also means refraining from sensationalizing tragedy or glorifying harmful behavior, which can distort public understanding and put more lives at risk.
The Palace’s call reinforces existing ethical standards and legal protections, including those under the Child Protection Act and the Data Privacy Act, which strictly limit what information about minors may be disclosed publicly.
Gomez assured the media that the government remains committed to upholding press freedom and will not interfere with editorial decisions. However, he reminded journalists and news organizations that they bear a shared responsibility in preventing further harm, and that careful, compassionate reporting serves the public interest far better than sensational or graphic coverage that may inspire others to commit similar acts.
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