Gov't urged to allow journos access public docs for minimal fee, if not free

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the rest of government agencies should reduce, if not waive, fees concerning access to public documents for journalists, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said Tuesday.

Diokno said journalists play a vital role in uncovering anomalies and promoting accountability so "the government should make it easier for them to do their job, instead of serving as an obstacle in their search for truth.”

The lawmaker issued the statement following reports from journalists about the high cost of accessing and securing SEC records which hampers efforts to expose corruption and abuse of power. 

He cited the statement made by WeSolve Foundation president Kenneth Abante during a Senate inquiry that some journalists had to spend around P30,000 to obtain files from the SEC about companies owned by resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co who is being linked to the flood control mess. 

“Mas mabuting gawing libre ng gobyerno ang pagkuha sa mahahalagang dokumento na may kinalaman sa ginagawa nilang investigative reports. Kung hindi man puwede, dapat magpataw sila ng mas murang singil para makakuha ng kopya ng mga ito,” Diokno said.

(It would be better for the government to grant access to these documents for free for the purposes of journalism. If not feasible, they can impose minimal fees instead.)

The government, Diokno said, should empower the media to freely access the information they need, as their reports strengthen transparency and accountability among public officials.

On the legislative side, Diokno said he would study filing a measure that would institutionalize free or low-cost access to public records for media practitioners, researchers, and watchdog organizations.—AOL, GMA Integrated News