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] Date Posted:00:07:01 07/27/04 Tue Author Host/IP: relay.emb.gov.ph/203.87.129.201
GMA Network is filing libel cases against ABS-CBN Broadcasting
Corporation and its news anchor Erwin Tulfo for "blatantly and
repeatedly" accusing GMA of stealing footage on the arrival of
Angelo de la Cruz last July 22.
In a letter sent to ABS-CBN, GMA Network AVP for Legal Affairs Dick
Perez said that the Network strongly condemns the malicious
statements reported over ABS-CBN's news program Insider last July
22, where news anchor Erwin Tulfo directly accused GMA of
deliberately committing a crime by allegedly stealing ABS-CBN's
video footage.
Last July 22, GMA's hourly news update, Flash Report, carried
Reuters' live video footage from NAIA on the arrival of Angelo de la
Cruz.
GMA Network alternately used GMA's footage with those beamed live by
Reuters.
GMA is a subscriber to both Reuters and CNN.
The Network tried to call Reuter's Charie Villa several times before
the feed from Reuters was shown in GMA Flash Report but she could
not be reached.
When ABS-CBN reporter Dindo Amparo appeared in the live Reuters
feed, Perez said that GMA Network immediately stopped broadcasting
the Reuters pictures and switched to CNN's live coverage of the
event.
Unfortunately, Perez said, GMA belatedly found out that CNN was also
picking up its live feed from the same Reuters live video feed.
But as soon as the GMA network learned this, it prematurely
concluded its live bulletin.
For this, ABS-CBN has called GMA Network Inc. a thief.
Tulfo also pointed out in the Insider that ABC-5 used the same
Reuters live video feed.
GMA Network Inc. strongly condemns ABS-CBN's malicious and hasty
accusations.
"In their imprudent haste to malign GMA, ABS-CBN exploited the
incident and blew it out of proportion while ignoring their past
transgressions," Perez said.
Perez was referring to an incident when ABS-CBN aired an exclusive
GMA footage of a pro-FPJ rally in Manila, which they picked up from
Reuters.
Perez said that ABS-CBN News Director DJ Sta. Ana called up GMA Head
of News Operations Grace de la Peņa and admitted to having used
GMA's footage.
Reuters' Villa also sent an email to GMA News informing the Network
that she has called ABS-CBN's attention on the matter.
Perez said that GMA Network was never informed on what actions were
taken by ABS-CBN about the case.
"Despite ABS-CBN's admission, GMA did not broadcast the incident or
condemn ABS-CBN for it," Perez said.
Perez also recalled that in 1995, ABS-CBN used GMA's Eye to Eye
footage of the interview of Vivialyn Dungca. GMA filed a complaint
for damages against ABS-CBN for the unauthorized use of the said
footage.
In the said complaint, Perez said that GMA charged that ABS-CBN used
a red bar to conceal the words Eye to Eye Exclusive when it aired
the footage.
The trial court, according to Perez, ruled that ABS-CBN violated
GMA's right over the footage.
"Although the ruling is pending appeal before the Court of Appeals,
it is settled, as admitted by ABS-CBN, that it used GMA's footage
without authority of GMA," Perez said
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