Palace: PNoy backs 'right of reply' principle, not the bill

President Benigno Aquino III's support for the concept of all people having the right to be heard is not necessarily an endorsement of the right-of-reply bill now pending in Congress, Malacañang said Sunday. In an interview on dzRB on Sunday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Aquino supports not necessarily the bill. “The president did mention it but my understanding is, it’s the concept." Last Thursday, Aquino was quoted as saying journalists should not fear the right-of-reply bill if they practice balanced reporting. His statement, made at a gathering of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP), was perceived to be an expression of support for the controversial right-of-reply bill. The bill seeks to grant individuals and companies the right to reply to charges or criticisms in media, including newspapers, radio, TV and online news. Some lawmakers are proposing a right-of-reply provision in the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill now pending in the House of Representatives. — LBG, GMA News