A classic infringement of free speech and free press? Simple bullying? Or could this be the work of some ill-informed barking dogs trying protect their master?
The issue stemmed from an incident on October 5 when a volunteer of Junction Guam who was distributing copies of this paper was blocked and stopped by some individuals at the Governor’s office. The volunteer relates that he gave copies to the Legal office and the Communications office without incidence. However, when he reached the Deputy Chief of Staff’s office, the lady who was there at that time allegedly said “I will not accept that,” to which the volunteer countered, “but it is free, it is for the staff.” Accordingly, the lady replied, “Even though it’s free. Get it back!”
The volunteer then proceeded to the Information office, the lady who was there also said that she will not accept the paper, and told the volunteer to, “Get out!” of the office.
Then at the Chief of Staff’s office, a lady who identified herself as a certain Ms. Cruz reportedly called the attention of the volunteer and said, “Do you have a permit to distribute this paper?” to which the latter answered in the negative. He was then told to “get back all the newspapers” that he distributed. The volunteer then asked where he can get a permit, to which Ms. Cruz said he should go get from Julius at the Communications office.
To the volunteer’s dismay, when he asked Julius about the permit, the latter allegedly said, “I could not allow you at this moment,” further adding that it is “as per advice.” As to who gave the advice, it was not mentioned.
The incident was brought to the attention of Ayaol Ngirairiki (Director of Communications) by this paper’s publisher Benigna Dawang-Farres. In her mail, she asked” May I then ask the basis for not allowing our volunteer to distribute a free paper in a government office (Adelup). While some individuals may not want to read us, totally banning the Junction Guam Weekly to be routed at Adelup, to my mind is an infringement of free speech and of the press, as clearly allowed for in the First Amendment.
“Further, a source who chose to remain anonymous at this point has informed us that the same type of instructions have been given out to other government offices under the administration’s control. How true is this?
“If a permit is needed, we will comply; please let us know the requirements (albeit ‘Julius’ already told us through our volunteer that he can’t give us a permit for reason he did not specify, just “as per advice.”); please let us know however the basis for us to secure a permit.”
Ngirairiki replied that “there are some protocols in place for distribution of materials.” She added that materials would be routed either through Central Files or the Deputy Chief of Staff’s office “for materials to be distributed throughout the complex to include magazines, newspapers and like,” further adding that this paper has to clear distribution with the Deputy Chief of Staff.
Dawang-Farres then asked from Ngirairik a copy of the memo or any material that mentions the protocol, further explaining that “it was the girl at the Deputy Chief of Staff who first blocked us (totally) without giving any explanation or mentioning that there is a protocol in place.”
As of press time, Ngirairiki has yet to provide what was being requested.
However, in a telephone conversation, Dawang-Farres told Ngirairiki that a story is being written about the incident to which the latter cried foul saying why wasn’t she told about it from the very start. She said they are not being treated fairly by this paper./Junction News Team
