ANGARA: PENALIZE UNFAIR, POLITICIZED USE
OF THE WORDS MUSLIM, ISLAMIC
In celebration of the Ramadan, Senator reiterates calls for more sensitive reference to Muslims in media

Sen. Edgardo J. Angara is again calling on the Senate to enact Senate Bill 914 to prohibit the use of the words "Muslim" or "Islamic" in print, radio, television and other forms of media to refer to or describe a person suspected or convicted of any crime. Against a backdrop of celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, Sen. Angara reminds the general public that this conduct must be consciously observed in consideration for the implications to Muslims.

"Some in the local media continue to callously lambast the Muslim religious culture by describing criminals and suspects with terms such as Muslim criminals, Muslim terrorists, Muslim drug pushers, Muslim sea pirates, Muslim bandits or Muslim holduppers," laments Sen. Angara.

The use of words Muslim and Islamic in association with suspected or convicted 'criminals and unlawful acts are offensively biased against Muslims. This practice is highly prejudicial and extremely injurious to the Islamic religious culture, Muslim individuals and their collective image, and the Muslim's social well being as respectable citizens of the country.

Although it has been an issue since time immemorial, unfair and prejudicial use of such terms peaked after the September 11 attacks, when the war on terrorism was misconstrued by American and Western radical conservatives as a war against Muslims, whom many accused to have used Islam as an epicenter of jihad against the Western world.

Sen. Angara warns, "We cannot allow our society to tolerate such insensitivity. I, for one, know so many Muslims who are good people, and who in no way share the views of fundamentalists. In a country like the Philippines, respect for the minorities especially those already prejudiced in many other societies is of high regard. Anyone who treat our Muslim neighbors unfairly will be penalized accordingly. We are one people, whether Christian or Muslim."

The penalty of aresto mayor or a fine ranging from P1,000.00 to l0,000.00 or both, at the discretion of the court, will be imposed on any person found guilty of violating this mandate once enacted into law. The publisher, in the case of print media, and the president of the juridical entity, in the case of radio, television and other forms of broadcast media, will be fined at least P50,000.00. Succeeding violations will incure another P50,000.00 for each offence, and eventually cancellation of license or franchise, or both, at the discretion of the court.

"Outlawing this culturally and religiously biased practice would definitely contribute and result in increased positive social space and understanding between and among Muslims and Non-Muslims, and help drive the path towards a just, culturally-sensitive, fair, and lasting peace and development in our country," hopes Sen. Angara.