MANILA, Philippines - A Senate inquiry on the media's role in the August 23 hostage-taking incident could lead to stricter guidelines for the media, including possible news blackouts during hostage-taking incidents.

Speaking to ANC's "Headstart", Sen. Tito Sotto said proposals to impose news blackouts during hostage crisis situations will be discussed during the Senate joint committee inquiry starting Tuesday.

"I am not saying I am in favor of it but again that is a possibility. There could be guidelines that could be drawn out but not only by the Senate but by the [Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas] and broadcast media themselves," he said.

"Many members of the Senate believe there should be a real role that could be defined, on the role of the media when it comes to hostage crises," he added.

Broadcast media organizations have been heavily criticized for airing live the August 23 hostage-taking that killed the hostage-taker and 8 tourists.

Investigation has shown that the hostage-taker, Rolando Mendoza, was able to watch the live news broadcasts through a television inside the hijacked bus.

A local radio station was also criticized for interviewing Mendoza during the hostage crisis, which prevented police negotiators from contacting the hostage-taker before he started shooting his hostages.

Sen. Gregorio Honasan, chairman of the Senate committee on public information and mass media, said the Senate inquiry in aid of legislation will resume on Tuesday, September 7, at 10 a.m.

Twelve mediamen from broadcast, print and online news organizations as well as members of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation will be invited to the hearing.

Sen. Joker Arroyo earlier said the inquiry will not pinpoint blame but will establish ground rules for the broadcast media during hostage incidents.

The KBP Broadcast Code of 2007 provide several guidelines on covering crime and crisis situations. It said coverage of crimes in progress or crisis situations such as hostage-taking or kidnapping "shall not put lives in greater danger than what is already inherent in the situation."

"Such coverage should be restrained and care should be taken so as not to hinder or obstruct efforts of authorities to resolve the situation," it said.

Section 2 of Article 6 also states that the coverage "should avoid inflicting undue shock and pain to families and loved ones of victims of crimes, crisis situations, disasters, accidents, and other tragedies."

Finally, Section 4 of Article 6 states that the coverage of crime or crisis situations shall not provide vital information or offer comfort of support to the perpetrators."