Palace allows social media practitioners to cover presidential events

Malacañang will now allow social media practitioners to cover special events attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, subject to certain conditions, in order to generate news and information for the citizenry through social media platforms. (PNA PHOTO)

Malacañang will now allow social media practitioners to cover special events attended by President Rodrigo Duterte, subject to certain conditions, in order to generate news and information for the citizenry through social media platforms.

This was made possible through Department Order No. 15 that Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar signed August 8.

The order establishes a provisional social media practitioner accreditation system that will be handled by the PCOO’s Social Media Office (SMO).

As provided by DO 15, accreditation can only be issued to Filipino social media practitioners who are at least 18 years old and who have at least 5,000 followers on any social media platform.

Qualified persons will file their applications with the PCOO at the New Executive Building inside the Malacañang Compound.

Applications forms may be downloaded from the PCOO website at www.pco.gov.ph.

Unless otherwise specified, accreditation is understood to be on a per event basis only.

The SMO has three days to review and consider the application.

Furthermore, the accreditation will be subject to clearance by the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

The accreditation may be withdrawn, canceled or suspended by the SMO if the person abuses the rights and privileges extended by the PCOO or if he or she improperly uses his accreditation.

Department Order No. 15 directs the SMO to conduct a six-month test run upon effectivity of the order, subject to review and/or revision at the end of the period.