By Roy Pelovello

HOUSE Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday asked the country?s media organizations and personalities to reconsider their positions against the ?right-to-reply? measure and instead submit recommendations that would make the bill acceptable to all.

Nograles said although the measure can possibly be defeated once it is submitted to the House plenary, it may be better for media organizations to come out with their statements on the issues so these would be heard once the measure is set for debates on the floor.

?We have conducted consultation with the country?s media organizations and media leaders with the most earnest hope that they will submit their position papers and amendatory recommendations so that the House can consider them,? Nograles said, mentioning a previous meeting with editors of several news organizations.

?We can resolve this issue through consultations. A middle ground is not impossible,? Nograles said.

The measure has received severe criticism from news organizations and media personalities who point out that the bill is coercive as it legislates what media should air and print. It compels a news organization to print or air the reply of an aggrieved party.

Media organizations point out that the ethics of journalism and the presence of self-regulatory councils in both print and broadcast ensure the fairness of media coverage.

Nograles said although the measure is now the subject of a more judicious review by the House committee on public information under chairman Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, the House will have to deal with the measure ?at one point in time.?

?We can only delay its passage or rejection on the floor but we have to vote on it. That?s part of our mandate as legislators,? Nograles said.

Abante said that letters seeking comments and proposals on the bill have been prepared to be sent to media institutions and personalities this week through official mail.