What would journalists do in order to earn money?
First and foremost, they will fulfil their job with utmost sincerity. They will exercise their profession according to what they have studied in their four years in college. They will gather facts from all sources available, may it be from the authorities or from the common people. They will cover events, may it be a prestigious or an outrageous one. They will write news and feature stories according to the facts that they have gathered. Lastly, they will pronounce their loyalty to the profession that they have chosen to live with.
But those ‘sacrifices’ are paid in slim but not sexy nor beautiful figures.
The amount of money that a journalist receives on one payday is not really sufficient, honestly speaking. To those who are already in the field, journalists or media practitioners enclose themselves inside the payslips that would not probably buy them a new Black Berry mobile phone at once. This is the reality, and it is one of the reasons why only few people prefer to be a journalist.
This reality, however, becomes the center of attention of the people who are in power and position, the politicians. Since journalists are experiencing such financial problems, according to the article Pens for Hire by Yvonne T. Chua, some or maybe most politicians hire journalists so that the latter can be part of the politicians’ so –called press release teams. Journalists are of course getting offers from politicians to accept PR jobs in exchange of large sum of money, goods like cars, gadgets, or maybe even travel abroad tickets. These kinds of bribes are really mouth –watering, and tempting on the part of someone who is earning money enough to support only his daily meals. But to think about it, the Code of Ethics of the Journalist in the Philippines does not allow journalists to take jobs that would cause conflict of interest upon the job and also upon his profession as a journalist. Therefore, once a journalist decided to take a PR job from a politician, then his or her credibility as a journalist is already tainted while he or she is trying to purify the image and credibility of his new boss, the politician.
Another thing that would enable a journalist to have a better lifestyle than he has as a common journalist is to accept endorsement projects for medicines, personal care kit, energy drinks, and even alcoholic drinks. Today, on our current media, we have a lot of journalists or media practitioners who are already flaunting their faces on TV not as reporters of news but as product endorsers. Look at Mel Tiangco, she is the current news anchor for the daily six p.m. news 24 Oras. But aside from being a light giver to the public, she is also an endorser for a certain medicine and also for laundry soap. In the article And Now, A word from our newscasters …, list of media practitioners who have found their spots from the world of endorsements. They would say that there’s nothing wrong about their intention to serve as an endorser for a certain product, but the issue here is that, again, it is a conflict of interest. They would endorse products and then their news is already affected, especially the way they would deliver the news to the public. They would have biases, and it will be inevitable on the part of the media men turned endorsers.
Lastly, in order to earn more money, journalists would write news that would certainly sell regardless its’ quality. In short, journalists would likely let the real news suffer and be deteriorated. Sensationalism becomes the issue here. Sensationalized news sells, right? Just like the Flor Contemplacion issue. According to the article Furor over Flor by Danilova Molintas, “politicians, rebels, filmmakers, and reporters” feasted upon the said tragedy. Especially the journalists or the reporters, they were so much obsessed with the issue that even the news which were not verified (by the authority) became the juiciest meat in the daily meal of news of the Filipino audiences.
There is nothing wrong about dreaming to have more than what you are having now, but to attempt to have more than what you have now signals greed, which is one of the deadliest sins of man. Journalists might dream for a better life than what he is having now, but it doesn’t mean that he should already resort into doing things that would just interfere with the profession that he has sworn loyalty with. But I would just like to give a piece of advice for the publishers and producers.
“If you have the heart for this profession, and you want to maintain the credibility of your pool of writers/ reporters, why don’t you resort into a plan of salary increase? Well, a salary increase might hurt your pockets lesser than what a newspaper’s loss of readership can do, right?”
References:
Chua, Yvonne T. (April –June 1997). Pens for Hire. i Magazine.
Molintas, Danilova (April –June 1995). Furor over Flor. i Magazine.
(April –June 1997). And now, A Word from our Newscasters. i Magazine.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
First Step on the Clutch
It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.
I remember the time I first travel alone by myself. It was hard, and very challenging. I was then on my last year on high school. I remembered well how I arrived into a decision like escaping the real world and travelling alone by myself. That time, I was in a state of depression, when no things become right in front of my eyes. It was like everything was as dull and gray as an antique that was not clean for so long. I was the editor –in –chief for our news organ way back on high school; I was then assigned to do many things. For also, since I was also on my senior year, I was having a lot of trouble accomplishing academic things, and lastly, I was having this dilemma that I cannot even make it to befriend with all the people lingering around on our campus.
It was only the first month of the school year, feeling all the dismaying pressure inside, my strength fell down to zero level, realizing that no amount of polluted air here in Metro Manila can cure my blue disorder, I decided to left the city and bring myself into a place where I could regain back all my strength and confidence, plus my eagerness to study again.
At first, I was planning to visit my father’s relatives in Laguna, but I cannot imagine myself getting scolded by them just because of my blue feelings towards school. Then I suddenly remembered, why not Tagaytay? We have a relative there in Tagaytay and they own a traveller’s house in that place. I told myself, maybe I could get myself a place that would suit me for a week and get a discount, because honestly, I think I’m going to use my lifetime savings for this insanity. Lastly, I’ve never been in that place before. As soon as my relatives agreed to let me stay on their place for a week, I wasted no time in packing my things. With the consent of my parents, and with all their frantic worries about me travelling alone in the age of 15, I carried my bags and things on my back and made my way to the bus terminal. Honestly, I’m good when it comes to direction, so even though it would be my first time to go to Tagaytay, I still feel assured that I would not lost my way there.
First, I rode a jeepney going to TriNoma mall where I could get to an MRT train. On my way to the MRT station, I was feeling very excited but not nervous at all. I know it wouldn’t be my first time to go to places all by myself, because when I was 9 years old, I went to my uncle’s house in Pasay all alone, and also, since I was in my first grade, I’ve been travelling from house to school all by myself too. As soon as I reached the department store, I saw many things, a lot of these and a lot of those. But those things didn’t invite me to cancel my plans, but instead, it pursued me more on my travel. Why? It is because I’m too much fed with the ways here in the city. So, I hurried my way to the MRT station, and bought myself a train card/ ticket that will bring me to the last station or the Baclaran station.
That was my first time to ride on an MRT train, actually. Even how to insert the train card on the slot machine, I don’t even know that, but since I have to learn this kind of things in order for me to travel, then I have no choice but to take it as one of the challenges that I’ve met during my travel. Luckily, it wasn’t hard to learn how to use the MRT train ticket. As I rode the train, I felt like I’m already a grown –up person. The people inside the train were all grown –ups and I can’t see anyone travelling on my age. I do not know if everyone was looking at me with awe because of my courage to ride on an MRT train all alone, but I know for sure they’ll feel more curious about me if they would see me riding on a provincial bus, heading to Tagaytay City.
Soon as I reached the last station, I felt like I’m starting to get nervous. The last station was Baclaran station, and I do not know the lefts and rights in the place. I do not know if I will have the right turn on every corner I will pass on, or maybe a wrong turn and get lost on nowhere. Luckily, since I could read directions very well, I just followed the directions instructing how to get outside the mall (since there is a mall connected to the MRT station) and be able to reach the terminal station for buses going to Tagaytay.
Within a few minutes of wondering inside the mall (not really wondering on many things, but making my way out of the mall), finally, I was able to get out of the mall, for also, I was able to reach the bus station. Finally, my chance to get inside a provincial bus came to realize already. When I got inside the bus, the ticket man asked me if I’m travelling alone, I said yes, and then he asked me, do you have money to buy a ticket? My ears got hot with what he said, and then I answered him, “Oh yes, I have, what do you think of me, a stray cat?” So I brought out my money and purchase a ticket going to Tagaytay.
At last, I told myself, I am ‘really’ and finally up for another phase and adventure in my life. On my way to Tagaytay, I got to see different places. We passed by Cavite and saw the different sceneries of Cavite City, although it’s just a common sight to consider. It’s almost the same in the city where I came from, I thought to myself. The trip was almost one and a half hour, and while inside the bus, I’m really feeling cold and chilling. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that Tagaytay City is somehow a cold city. So when our bus was almost in Tagaytay, I can already see the mist from the bus windows. Oh well, my weakness is cold temperature, and to tell you, I can’t stand the cooling coming from an air conditioning unit.
Then the bus conductor called out, “Olivares, Olivares, oi”, finally, I’m already in Tagaytay City. So, I went down out of the bus and plunge myself with the air of the city. Yes, it was refreshing, and the cold wind soothed my unwary feelings. After that, I hurriedly rode a city tricycle and ask the driver to take me to El Paso Inn, my relatives’ property. The trip was somehow thrilling, because instead of riding inside the tricycle, I insisted to ride behind the driver’s seat, telling him that it would enable me to see the sights in Tagaytay City. But I think I’ve lost my mind riding behind the driver because the wind was really like a knife, slicing my face and slashing my skin with extreme coldness. Well, I remember that I’m not wearing a jacket by that time, oh, and that’s really something awesome and crazy for me.
Minutes later, we reached my aunt’s place, and it was really great. They have a 16 –room traveller’s inn and inside their place, was their residential American –inspired three –storey house. Of course, since I’m looking for a place where I can refresh myself, they allowed me to use one of the rooms in their traveller’s inn. The room that they let me used has an overlooking site to the nearby pineapple farm. All my life I’ve never seen beautiful scenery such like that. From my room I think I can smell the sweet scent of pineapple. And honestly, I think I’m starting to rejuvenate myself by that time.
I know from that time being, it would be the start of my vacation, and also, it would be the start of my supposed to be self renewal. But what happened next after sifting that wonderful pineapple scent coming from my window will not be a part of this paper. I am saving that part on the compartment of my wonderful memories, and I’m not going to let anyone see that compartment of mine. This paper was supposed to feature a travelogue, citing this and that, all of the wonders of a certain place. But I went against the rule, and instead I wrote a personal experience about my first travel alone and away from the bustling sounds of the city.
I remember the time I first travel alone by myself. It was hard, and very challenging. I was then on my last year on high school. I remembered well how I arrived into a decision like escaping the real world and travelling alone by myself. That time, I was in a state of depression, when no things become right in front of my eyes. It was like everything was as dull and gray as an antique that was not clean for so long. I was the editor –in –chief for our news organ way back on high school; I was then assigned to do many things. For also, since I was also on my senior year, I was having a lot of trouble accomplishing academic things, and lastly, I was having this dilemma that I cannot even make it to befriend with all the people lingering around on our campus.
It was only the first month of the school year, feeling all the dismaying pressure inside, my strength fell down to zero level, realizing that no amount of polluted air here in Metro Manila can cure my blue disorder, I decided to left the city and bring myself into a place where I could regain back all my strength and confidence, plus my eagerness to study again.
At first, I was planning to visit my father’s relatives in Laguna, but I cannot imagine myself getting scolded by them just because of my blue feelings towards school. Then I suddenly remembered, why not Tagaytay? We have a relative there in Tagaytay and they own a traveller’s house in that place. I told myself, maybe I could get myself a place that would suit me for a week and get a discount, because honestly, I think I’m going to use my lifetime savings for this insanity. Lastly, I’ve never been in that place before. As soon as my relatives agreed to let me stay on their place for a week, I wasted no time in packing my things. With the consent of my parents, and with all their frantic worries about me travelling alone in the age of 15, I carried my bags and things on my back and made my way to the bus terminal. Honestly, I’m good when it comes to direction, so even though it would be my first time to go to Tagaytay, I still feel assured that I would not lost my way there.
First, I rode a jeepney going to TriNoma mall where I could get to an MRT train. On my way to the MRT station, I was feeling very excited but not nervous at all. I know it wouldn’t be my first time to go to places all by myself, because when I was 9 years old, I went to my uncle’s house in Pasay all alone, and also, since I was in my first grade, I’ve been travelling from house to school all by myself too. As soon as I reached the department store, I saw many things, a lot of these and a lot of those. But those things didn’t invite me to cancel my plans, but instead, it pursued me more on my travel. Why? It is because I’m too much fed with the ways here in the city. So, I hurried my way to the MRT station, and bought myself a train card/ ticket that will bring me to the last station or the Baclaran station.
That was my first time to ride on an MRT train, actually. Even how to insert the train card on the slot machine, I don’t even know that, but since I have to learn this kind of things in order for me to travel, then I have no choice but to take it as one of the challenges that I’ve met during my travel. Luckily, it wasn’t hard to learn how to use the MRT train ticket. As I rode the train, I felt like I’m already a grown –up person. The people inside the train were all grown –ups and I can’t see anyone travelling on my age. I do not know if everyone was looking at me with awe because of my courage to ride on an MRT train all alone, but I know for sure they’ll feel more curious about me if they would see me riding on a provincial bus, heading to Tagaytay City.
Soon as I reached the last station, I felt like I’m starting to get nervous. The last station was Baclaran station, and I do not know the lefts and rights in the place. I do not know if I will have the right turn on every corner I will pass on, or maybe a wrong turn and get lost on nowhere. Luckily, since I could read directions very well, I just followed the directions instructing how to get outside the mall (since there is a mall connected to the MRT station) and be able to reach the terminal station for buses going to Tagaytay.
Within a few minutes of wondering inside the mall (not really wondering on many things, but making my way out of the mall), finally, I was able to get out of the mall, for also, I was able to reach the bus station. Finally, my chance to get inside a provincial bus came to realize already. When I got inside the bus, the ticket man asked me if I’m travelling alone, I said yes, and then he asked me, do you have money to buy a ticket? My ears got hot with what he said, and then I answered him, “Oh yes, I have, what do you think of me, a stray cat?” So I brought out my money and purchase a ticket going to Tagaytay.
At last, I told myself, I am ‘really’ and finally up for another phase and adventure in my life. On my way to Tagaytay, I got to see different places. We passed by Cavite and saw the different sceneries of Cavite City, although it’s just a common sight to consider. It’s almost the same in the city where I came from, I thought to myself. The trip was almost one and a half hour, and while inside the bus, I’m really feeling cold and chilling. Honestly, I wasn’t aware that Tagaytay City is somehow a cold city. So when our bus was almost in Tagaytay, I can already see the mist from the bus windows. Oh well, my weakness is cold temperature, and to tell you, I can’t stand the cooling coming from an air conditioning unit.
Then the bus conductor called out, “Olivares, Olivares, oi”, finally, I’m already in Tagaytay City. So, I went down out of the bus and plunge myself with the air of the city. Yes, it was refreshing, and the cold wind soothed my unwary feelings. After that, I hurriedly rode a city tricycle and ask the driver to take me to El Paso Inn, my relatives’ property. The trip was somehow thrilling, because instead of riding inside the tricycle, I insisted to ride behind the driver’s seat, telling him that it would enable me to see the sights in Tagaytay City. But I think I’ve lost my mind riding behind the driver because the wind was really like a knife, slicing my face and slashing my skin with extreme coldness. Well, I remember that I’m not wearing a jacket by that time, oh, and that’s really something awesome and crazy for me.
Minutes later, we reached my aunt’s place, and it was really great. They have a 16 –room traveller’s inn and inside their place, was their residential American –inspired three –storey house. Of course, since I’m looking for a place where I can refresh myself, they allowed me to use one of the rooms in their traveller’s inn. The room that they let me used has an overlooking site to the nearby pineapple farm. All my life I’ve never seen beautiful scenery such like that. From my room I think I can smell the sweet scent of pineapple. And honestly, I think I’m starting to rejuvenate myself by that time.
I know from that time being, it would be the start of my vacation, and also, it would be the start of my supposed to be self renewal. But what happened next after sifting that wonderful pineapple scent coming from my window will not be a part of this paper. I am saving that part on the compartment of my wonderful memories, and I’m not going to let anyone see that compartment of mine. This paper was supposed to feature a travelogue, citing this and that, all of the wonders of a certain place. But I went against the rule, and instead I wrote a personal experience about my first travel alone and away from the bustling sounds of the city.
Where shall we go now?
The supposed to be a joyride on a friend’s car turned out later as one of the most wonderful travel experience that I ever had.
The story goes this way.
It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.
We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.
Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.
But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.
We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.
Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.
While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place.
After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.
“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.
I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.
Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.
The story goes this way.
It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.
We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.
Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.
But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.
We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.
Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.
While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place.
After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.
“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.
I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.
Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.
Where Shall We Go Now?
The supposed to be a joyride on a friend’s car turned out later as one of the most wonderful travel experience that I ever had.
The story goes this way.
It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.
We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.
Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.
But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.
We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.
Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.
While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place. After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.
“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.
I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.
Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.
The story goes this way.
It was one late evening when I received an unexpected call from a friend of mine. She told me if I would like to accompany her for some sort of a trip along Metro Manila. She had just receive a new Toyota Vios car from her parents as a graduation present, and she wants to drive it first time with me. I was flattered, of course, so I did not waste any time in saying yes to her wonderful invitation.
We decided to meet up 7 am, yes; it was so early in the morning. I was really very excited, although I was feeling half nervous, thinking that maybe we might have some accident and we might get killed. I am a very cautious person; in fact, I always look first into what ifs and maybes of every situation before getting involved with it. I think it also shows my being pessimistic, but anyway, that’s me. Well, that’s just a related segue. Anyway, going back to the real story, as soon as I get myself ready for that joyride event, I fired her with a message telling her to fetch me right in front of our house.
Soon as we met up and got inside her car, we decided to get some rounds along Manila. Yes, I know what you are thinking. I know you are thinking like “Hey, Manila is just a jeepney away from your home. Is that really some sort of a joyride?” But my friend insisted that she would like to experience the traffic in Manila especially in Quezon Avenue, so I just agree with her. Anyway, that’s her car, and she’s the one who’s in charge of driving.
But while driving to Manila, my friend (her name is Camille) made a twist of mind. She asked me, “Would you like to have some chill of Tagaytay today?” Wow. I told myself, this girl is losing her mind now. She’s already planning for Tagaytay when I don’t even have a jacket with me that time. But her eyes were looking straight to my eyes, with a very cunning but exciting look. Speechless with her facial reaction, I agree to her decision with a simple nod.
We went on with our unexpected Tagaytay trip together with our memories and experiences together before. We laughed and exchanged comments that we have been doing every time we are going to meet up. In no less than two hours from Manila, we got a hold of Tagaytay, and oh, we decided to roll down the car windows and feel the atmosphere of that place. Cold, but I decided to ignore it, besides I’ve got no choice, I don’t have a jacket.
Taking rounds in Tagaytay would not make a sudden traveller like us happy and contented, so we decided to visit one of the prides of that place which is the People’s Park. People’s park, formerly known as Palace in the Sky, was built during the Marcos’ era, if my memory serves me right. Before, People’s Park or Palace in the Sky was a very wonderful place. It used to be well –maintained. But when we went there, I thought we were visiting a haunted place. The structures in that place were already coated with old age and low maintenance. The stone ladder has cracks already. Oh my, poor palace, do they have earthquakes in the sky? I thought to myself.
While we were tracking our steps towards to the peak of that place, the weather suddenly ceased being friendly. It rained. We would like to get a view of the Taal Volcano, for many people claimed that the said volcano looks good when you’re already at the peak of the Palace in the Sky. However, when we were already at the peak, we saw nothing but clouds of mist. The atmosphere was completely covered with mist, and that’s really frustrating for us. Thanks to the rain. As we went down from the peak, we passed by on some stores that sell souvenir items like t-shirts, handicrafts, and even foods. We just bought a couple of souvenir shirts that says, “I got this shirt in Tagaytay.” We also bought some snacks because it was already lunch time and restaurants were a bit far from that place. After visiting Palace in the Sky, we went to Olivares Plaza and help ourselves by having a good and affordable lunch. Then, since it was raining hard, we hurried ourselves so we could get inside the car immediately.
“Bitin e.” Camille told me while we were already inside the car. At first, I thought she was talking about the food, but later, after questioning her about her clamour, I learned that it’s not the food, but it was the trip itself. So I just nodded and said, “It’s okay, kasi naman ‘yung ulan e. Wrong tyming.” We were already on Francisco road heading to Sta. Rosa, Laguna when she suddenly suggest again. Well, we used that road because according to her, she would like to use a longer route because it is still early to go home. Anyway, what she suggested is that why don’t we go for a swim in Laguna, since we were already heading for Laguna. Crazy idea, I thought to myself. The sun is shining brightly in Laguna so her decision is just okay. However, the silly thing about her suggestion is that we don’t have anything with us. Just imagine that? But she was really very insisting. So I said, okay, now, where will we get our bathing suits? She just smiled and told me that along the way we’ll find shops that sell bathing suits and everything about swimming.
I am asking myself what kind of strength and will power my friend has. Imagine, she’s been driving the whole day but I cannot see any signs of haggardness on her face. She’s still active and very bubbly. We’ve been exchanging stories before we went to Tagaytay and then we’re still exchanging the same stories while we’re heading to Pansol, Laguna. Along the way, we’ve been eyeing various resorts and almost all of them seem to be uninviting because they are jam-packed. Remember it was already summer, and the sun’s heat is already scorching everybody’s mind so they would want to go for a swim. After some sort of resort –hunt, we’ve found our spot, the Golden Sun Resort. We went inside and asked them if they are selling bath towels, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, and of course, bathing suits. I think the luck was on our side by that time, because actually, they all have the necessities that we are looking for. We only spent a few hours inside the resort. We just refreshed ourselves with the water from the swimming pools and we just took turns singing on the videoke. We also feasted with some of the foods being offered in the resort. We were very happy and fulfilled that we didn’t realize that it’s already seven in the evening. It’s only by that time when we decided to go home.
Physically, we both got tired with all the unexpected activities that we’ve done for the whole day. But it’s just fine with me. It’s not always every day when we happen to travel and explore many things all by ourselves. It’s not always every day when we happen to meet people along our way and it’s not always every day when we happen to learn lessons from our own experiences. So when this kind of things happens to cross on your ways, don’t waste any ample time, grab your chance and simply own the moment given to you.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Purely –Business
The media in the Philippines seem to be business –oriented.
After reading the articles (Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel, We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban, The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban, and Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah) for my Media Ethics class, I realized that media nowadays are indeed business –oriented. Being business –oriented only means that every news that will come out from each of the television networks, newspaper publications, and radio stations on our country is already manipulated by the owners of these media stations. The owners of these stations always see to it that their own set of mediamen would not inflict harm to any of their other businesses or to anyone who seems to be friends or allies with them.
Citing the situation given in the article of Sheila S. Coronel entitled the Lords of the Press, she mentioned on the said article that during the reign of former RP President Joseph Estrada, there is an incident about the elementary schools’ textbooks scandal. A kin of the president was allegedly to have an involvement in the said scandal, and it was fiercely exposed on Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), a daily circulated broadsheet in the Philippines. With this deed by the PDI, the president was enraged and left him no seconds to give an outstanding financial dilemma to the broadsheet publication itself. What did he do? He just simply ordered a grand pullout of the advertisements by businessmen (who happened to side or friends with the former president) in PDI, plus the order of a tax audit in the said newspaper publication. This event strongly shows how the media was suppressed by the ‘business authority’. Of course, without advertisements, a daily newspaper will not be able to obtain financial stability, or it will not be able to obtain financial support. Without advertisements, also, would cause severe damage to the pockets of the publishers, and even more, can lead to a miserable downfall. This scenery happened exactly to PDI. They suffered exactly what the former president wished for. But the point here is that, the PDI newspaper did only what they believe is right and will be beneficial to their wide vast of readers. And this is what you call, “the truth shall prevail for all”. However, their advertisers didn’t see it. What they (the advertisers) have seen was the bond that ties between the former president Estrada and also the stability of their businesses. Businessmen only think of what they believe is beneficial to their businesses, therefore, the truth shall not prevail.
Frustratingly, this is contrary to what the journalists had studied for more than four years in college. The functions of Journalism are the following: first, to inform the public through the news coverage with utmost truth; second, to influence and mold public opinion; third, to amuse or to entertain the public; and lastly, to serve and promote public welfare as a whole. But with the kind of media being promulgated by the so –called gods of media as according to Coronel’s article Lords of the Press, not all those functions are being exercised. To conclude, the real purpose of journalism is not served. Just look at this another situation from the article We Love Lucio written by Luz Rimban. This article also supports the idea presented above about our media nowadays. The Lucio that Rimban is referring to is none other than the tobacco magnate and one of the richest personalities in the Philippines, Lucio Tan. He is said to be a secret shareholder in some newspaper publications, radio stations, and also in ABS CBN. How does it happen? Well, again, according to the article, these companies might have borrowed money from Lucio Tan and some of those whom he lent money were not able to repay their debts. With this, it is concluded that Lucio Tan might have asked something for return, this might be suppression of bad news and commentaries or a news blackout if there is a news outbreak on his companies, especially on PAL (Philippine Air Lines).
Another thing that strongly supports the idea of media being business –oriented is the television network company namely ABS CBN. According to the article entitled The Empire Strikes Back written by Luz Rimban, the ABS CBN re –engineered the concept of news and repackaged it to bring entertainment to their audiences. In fact, they even pioneered the concept of tabloid journalism in the Philippine media. What did they do? They shifted from serious news reporting into a way that most tabloid writers do. In short, it seems like they sensationalized their news in order to gain more audiences. Historically speaking, as according to the article of Rimban, ABS CBN went this way because during the Mari Mar (a Mexican drama) phenomenon (which is being aired before in RPN 9), the news ratings of ABS CBN stoop low, and their management especially the Lopez (who owns the ABS CBN) were very much alarmed about it. That time, only ABS CBN is the one who is very much concerned with the ratings, GMA 7 isn’t like that before. If we are going to study the ‘reasons’ very carefully, one thing only comes into our mind: ABS CBN cares not for the principle of Journalism may it be print or broadcast but only for the growth of their income.
That claim may be libelous for the part of ABS CBN and I may be sued for libel if they read this article, but this is true, right? They don’t have to change the identity of the news programs that they have if they weren’t caring for their money. Well, anyone cares for money, even the common people. But sacrificing the quality of news reporting is something that is to be considered. What is very dismal in this issue is that after ABS CBN went to this kind of change, other TV networks followed their footsteps, like GMA 7. And mostly, the people’s understanding about proper news reporting became shallow. What else they want now is something that can give them entertainment may it be a news program or not. Thanks to ABS CBN.
Really, the principles of Journalism are not being practiced anymore. When money starts to talk already, everything will have to undergo on a change, may it be for the better of the profession or for the worse of it. Remember, what is important for the publishers and TV network owners nowadays are just income and popularity.
References:
Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel,
We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban,
The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban,
Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah
After reading the articles (Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel, We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban, The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban, and Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah) for my Media Ethics class, I realized that media nowadays are indeed business –oriented. Being business –oriented only means that every news that will come out from each of the television networks, newspaper publications, and radio stations on our country is already manipulated by the owners of these media stations. The owners of these stations always see to it that their own set of mediamen would not inflict harm to any of their other businesses or to anyone who seems to be friends or allies with them.
Citing the situation given in the article of Sheila S. Coronel entitled the Lords of the Press, she mentioned on the said article that during the reign of former RP President Joseph Estrada, there is an incident about the elementary schools’ textbooks scandal. A kin of the president was allegedly to have an involvement in the said scandal, and it was fiercely exposed on Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), a daily circulated broadsheet in the Philippines. With this deed by the PDI, the president was enraged and left him no seconds to give an outstanding financial dilemma to the broadsheet publication itself. What did he do? He just simply ordered a grand pullout of the advertisements by businessmen (who happened to side or friends with the former president) in PDI, plus the order of a tax audit in the said newspaper publication. This event strongly shows how the media was suppressed by the ‘business authority’. Of course, without advertisements, a daily newspaper will not be able to obtain financial stability, or it will not be able to obtain financial support. Without advertisements, also, would cause severe damage to the pockets of the publishers, and even more, can lead to a miserable downfall. This scenery happened exactly to PDI. They suffered exactly what the former president wished for. But the point here is that, the PDI newspaper did only what they believe is right and will be beneficial to their wide vast of readers. And this is what you call, “the truth shall prevail for all”. However, their advertisers didn’t see it. What they (the advertisers) have seen was the bond that ties between the former president Estrada and also the stability of their businesses. Businessmen only think of what they believe is beneficial to their businesses, therefore, the truth shall not prevail.
Frustratingly, this is contrary to what the journalists had studied for more than four years in college. The functions of Journalism are the following: first, to inform the public through the news coverage with utmost truth; second, to influence and mold public opinion; third, to amuse or to entertain the public; and lastly, to serve and promote public welfare as a whole. But with the kind of media being promulgated by the so –called gods of media as according to Coronel’s article Lords of the Press, not all those functions are being exercised. To conclude, the real purpose of journalism is not served. Just look at this another situation from the article We Love Lucio written by Luz Rimban. This article also supports the idea presented above about our media nowadays. The Lucio that Rimban is referring to is none other than the tobacco magnate and one of the richest personalities in the Philippines, Lucio Tan. He is said to be a secret shareholder in some newspaper publications, radio stations, and also in ABS CBN. How does it happen? Well, again, according to the article, these companies might have borrowed money from Lucio Tan and some of those whom he lent money were not able to repay their debts. With this, it is concluded that Lucio Tan might have asked something for return, this might be suppression of bad news and commentaries or a news blackout if there is a news outbreak on his companies, especially on PAL (Philippine Air Lines).
Another thing that strongly supports the idea of media being business –oriented is the television network company namely ABS CBN. According to the article entitled The Empire Strikes Back written by Luz Rimban, the ABS CBN re –engineered the concept of news and repackaged it to bring entertainment to their audiences. In fact, they even pioneered the concept of tabloid journalism in the Philippine media. What did they do? They shifted from serious news reporting into a way that most tabloid writers do. In short, it seems like they sensationalized their news in order to gain more audiences. Historically speaking, as according to the article of Rimban, ABS CBN went this way because during the Mari Mar (a Mexican drama) phenomenon (which is being aired before in RPN 9), the news ratings of ABS CBN stoop low, and their management especially the Lopez (who owns the ABS CBN) were very much alarmed about it. That time, only ABS CBN is the one who is very much concerned with the ratings, GMA 7 isn’t like that before. If we are going to study the ‘reasons’ very carefully, one thing only comes into our mind: ABS CBN cares not for the principle of Journalism may it be print or broadcast but only for the growth of their income.
That claim may be libelous for the part of ABS CBN and I may be sued for libel if they read this article, but this is true, right? They don’t have to change the identity of the news programs that they have if they weren’t caring for their money. Well, anyone cares for money, even the common people. But sacrificing the quality of news reporting is something that is to be considered. What is very dismal in this issue is that after ABS CBN went to this kind of change, other TV networks followed their footsteps, like GMA 7. And mostly, the people’s understanding about proper news reporting became shallow. What else they want now is something that can give them entertainment may it be a news program or not. Thanks to ABS CBN.
Really, the principles of Journalism are not being practiced anymore. When money starts to talk already, everything will have to undergo on a change, may it be for the better of the profession or for the worse of it. Remember, what is important for the publishers and TV network owners nowadays are just income and popularity.
References:
Lords of the Press by Sheila S. Coronel,
We Love Lucio by Luz Rimban,
The Empire Strikes Back by Luz Rimban,
Media Conglomerates, Merger, Concentration of Ownership by Anup Shah
Conflict of Interest
Journalism functions as an institution which serves as the watchdog of the society. For many years, this institution is thriving at its best in order to serve its original function in the society. However, proven in many years, as we can see in the different articles or journals published in magazines, newspapers, and online publications, it seems like the journalists were already inflicted with the so –called diseases in the field of Journalism.
To prove this, there are a few readings on our Ethics class that shows how journalists were manipulated by their own interest which in return gave them the persuading power to crusade for truth and justice. In the article entitled Death of a Journalist written by Howie G. Severino, he vividly described how a journalist was killed because of his great interest in exposing a case that is somehow very sensitive. The journalist was Ferdie Reyes, who was said to be assassinated by his so –called enemies in both fields where he used to belong in. For the record, Reyes is not just a journalist by profession, he is also a lawyer. According to the said article, before his death, Reyes was once involved as a prosecuting lawyer in a case wherein a child was tortured and killed and it was said that the alleged suspects in the case were the child’s three aunts. Among them is a prominent woman namely Thelma Murro.
In this case, it seems like Reyes had created a strong affection with the victim’s case. He had not just fought the case in the court but also in his writings. He once had a weekly newspaper in Dipolog City, and there he did not fail to expose the case of the child against Murro which toned like Reyes was giving too much biases against the accused. The main argument in his case is, as a journalist, he must do his job, and it is to deliver to the public the real happenings in the environment. It is not his job to crusade for the truth. Maybe it is on his job as a lawyer. But, it is already falling on one of the diseases or the common ethical issues in Journalism, which is the conflict of interest.
There is already a conflict of interest in his case. If he had just remained a journalist, maybe he wasn’t killed. But he painted his writings with the colours and shades of being a lawyer. The point here is that it is very hard to be involved with another profession when you are already a journalist. As a journalist, you should know no biases. But if you are playing on two grounds, like Reyes, you will have no choice but to be bias. And you cannot avoid it, the nature of the work of being a lawyer calls for being in favour with your own client.
Look at the case of some media men turned politicians, they were not able to return to their media stints because the managements where they belong to would not allow them to go on –air. Their managements know that there will be some sort of a bias if these media men turned politicians will be allowed to deliver news stories concerning the welfare of the public. But there are some politicians or some people connected with the current government that were given chances to write for some newspapers, may it be on tabloid or on broadsheets, and this is the thing that should be avoided if we are trying to pursue fair and just news reporting.
But of course, in the real scenario, it would not be avoided. Just look at the Manila Bulletin, which is the subject of the article The Dowager’s Decline written by Sheila S. Coronel. According to the said article, the Manila Bulletin has become less aggressive in news reporting because of the decision of the owner itself which is to side only with who is seated on the Malacañan Palace. Of course, this has also a conflict of interest with the real purpose of journalism. It would be fine if Manila Bulletin chooses to be less aggressive so not to gain anger from the current administration, but what if that newspaper chooses also to gain appreciation from the current administration by simply making promotional news for them? Then that would be considered a nest for biases.
Indeed the profession that we future journalists are studying for is already rotten inside and there’s no way to heal it. We value our moral values so much like we did not pay for three units of Ethics class on the university. Being ethical in terms of being a journalist is way far different from being moral in terms of being a human. If we choose to value moral values such as Reyes who fought fearlessly through court discussions and through writings just to justify the death of the nine –year –old kid, then let it be. But don’t forget that it would surely affect the words you will type on your computer in order for you to create a news story.
References
Coronel, Sheila S. (October –December 1996). The Dowager’s Decline. i Magazine.
Severino, Howie G. (April –June 1996). Death of a Journalist. i Magazine.
To prove this, there are a few readings on our Ethics class that shows how journalists were manipulated by their own interest which in return gave them the persuading power to crusade for truth and justice. In the article entitled Death of a Journalist written by Howie G. Severino, he vividly described how a journalist was killed because of his great interest in exposing a case that is somehow very sensitive. The journalist was Ferdie Reyes, who was said to be assassinated by his so –called enemies in both fields where he used to belong in. For the record, Reyes is not just a journalist by profession, he is also a lawyer. According to the said article, before his death, Reyes was once involved as a prosecuting lawyer in a case wherein a child was tortured and killed and it was said that the alleged suspects in the case were the child’s three aunts. Among them is a prominent woman namely Thelma Murro.
In this case, it seems like Reyes had created a strong affection with the victim’s case. He had not just fought the case in the court but also in his writings. He once had a weekly newspaper in Dipolog City, and there he did not fail to expose the case of the child against Murro which toned like Reyes was giving too much biases against the accused. The main argument in his case is, as a journalist, he must do his job, and it is to deliver to the public the real happenings in the environment. It is not his job to crusade for the truth. Maybe it is on his job as a lawyer. But, it is already falling on one of the diseases or the common ethical issues in Journalism, which is the conflict of interest.
There is already a conflict of interest in his case. If he had just remained a journalist, maybe he wasn’t killed. But he painted his writings with the colours and shades of being a lawyer. The point here is that it is very hard to be involved with another profession when you are already a journalist. As a journalist, you should know no biases. But if you are playing on two grounds, like Reyes, you will have no choice but to be bias. And you cannot avoid it, the nature of the work of being a lawyer calls for being in favour with your own client.
Look at the case of some media men turned politicians, they were not able to return to their media stints because the managements where they belong to would not allow them to go on –air. Their managements know that there will be some sort of a bias if these media men turned politicians will be allowed to deliver news stories concerning the welfare of the public. But there are some politicians or some people connected with the current government that were given chances to write for some newspapers, may it be on tabloid or on broadsheets, and this is the thing that should be avoided if we are trying to pursue fair and just news reporting.
But of course, in the real scenario, it would not be avoided. Just look at the Manila Bulletin, which is the subject of the article The Dowager’s Decline written by Sheila S. Coronel. According to the said article, the Manila Bulletin has become less aggressive in news reporting because of the decision of the owner itself which is to side only with who is seated on the Malacañan Palace. Of course, this has also a conflict of interest with the real purpose of journalism. It would be fine if Manila Bulletin chooses to be less aggressive so not to gain anger from the current administration, but what if that newspaper chooses also to gain appreciation from the current administration by simply making promotional news for them? Then that would be considered a nest for biases.
Indeed the profession that we future journalists are studying for is already rotten inside and there’s no way to heal it. We value our moral values so much like we did not pay for three units of Ethics class on the university. Being ethical in terms of being a journalist is way far different from being moral in terms of being a human. If we choose to value moral values such as Reyes who fought fearlessly through court discussions and through writings just to justify the death of the nine –year –old kid, then let it be. But don’t forget that it would surely affect the words you will type on your computer in order for you to create a news story.
References
Coronel, Sheila S. (October –December 1996). The Dowager’s Decline. i Magazine.
Severino, Howie G. (April –June 1996). Death of a Journalist. i Magazine.
Incubator for Wannabe Politicians
The incubator, which serves as the home for babies who came out from their mother’s womb earlier than expected, helps babies to fully develop their organs and body system. In the case of politicians who are trying to win the heart of the public, the media serve them as an incubator. The media become the politicians’ greatest ally in promoting themselves to the public, thus, in the end; the credibility of media is being questioned.
In the article Crossing the Line written by Alecks P. Pabico, there are many situations showing how politicians’ utilized media as their beautification tool were cited. Among them was the former president Joseph Estrada who was then preparing to launch a pro –masa image that can win him a presidential seat. He tried to use the media’s power of influencing in order to nurture his image and be promoted to the public as someone fitted to be the next president. Is this right? Well, of course it is not. The media’s main role in the society is to act as the watchdog of it and maintain its loyalty to the public. When politics are already included in media, media loses credibility. The media possibly won’t be able to perform its real duty to the public. And in the end, as according to the article Dirty Harry Goes to TV written by Luz Rimban, the audience were the losers and they don’t even know it.
Another thing that shows how media were used to promote politicians is the story of the current Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim which was also cited in the said article of Luz Rimban. Before, he ran for presidential seat but lost in the end. His lost in the presidential race was somehow buried in the six feet underground but his popularity bloom again after being launched as legal adviser and crime buster on both radio and television programs. Looking at Lim’s situation, it seems like he used the power of ABS CBN in order to earn him a hundred percent ‘pogi points’ from the public. If it is not true, just look at how he benefited from the programs entrusted to him by ABS CBN, Lim was able to establish again his name as the mayor of Manila, and he even managed to be re –elected twice for the same position.
There are also politicians who don’t need to infiltrate media and keep on acting as print or broadcast journalists, some tried to infiltrate media in a manner that the only thing they have to do is to produce dramatic commercials and air them during election. Just recall the 2010 National Election, a lot of politicians bombarded the media airways with PR commercials showing the public how good their names are, and persuading the public to vote for them if they want to have a change in their lives. One of them was the president himself Benigno Aquino III, his sister Kris Aquino is a great name in the television industry. She used her influence by acting like a prophet for his good brother. They produced PR commercials, and if we can remember it right, they even used the biggest stars to act for them on their PR commercials. Thanks to all those celebrities and to the great exposure into media, the Aquino bet was able to win the position.
The main point here is that the media were used by the politicians for their personal agenda, and the media allowed themselves to be used by politicians because they were being paid. Of course, the media stations cannot simply say no to money, their existence in the field depends on how much money they can earn, and earning no money at all means death for their existence also known as business. Aside from that, media cannot also say no to politicians who act like journalists because audiences seem to be oriented to watch programs which consist by known celebrities and also politicians. With this, the politicians nowadays are comparable to babies who still have to stay on an incubator for few months after premature birth, and of course, the incubator as the media. The politicians might have come out from their eggs earlier from expected, but with their glittering money, they can avail a place in the media and be nurtured there until they’re already the first –word of all household chores. Bad thing that media is business –oriented and cannot say no to it, and mostly, their work is also manipulated by the money of these politicians.
References:
Pabico, Alecks P. (January –March 1997). Crossing the Line. i Magazine.
Rimban, Luz. (October –December 1998). Dirty Harry Goes to TV. i Magazine.
In the article Crossing the Line written by Alecks P. Pabico, there are many situations showing how politicians’ utilized media as their beautification tool were cited. Among them was the former president Joseph Estrada who was then preparing to launch a pro –masa image that can win him a presidential seat. He tried to use the media’s power of influencing in order to nurture his image and be promoted to the public as someone fitted to be the next president. Is this right? Well, of course it is not. The media’s main role in the society is to act as the watchdog of it and maintain its loyalty to the public. When politics are already included in media, media loses credibility. The media possibly won’t be able to perform its real duty to the public. And in the end, as according to the article Dirty Harry Goes to TV written by Luz Rimban, the audience were the losers and they don’t even know it.
Another thing that shows how media were used to promote politicians is the story of the current Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim which was also cited in the said article of Luz Rimban. Before, he ran for presidential seat but lost in the end. His lost in the presidential race was somehow buried in the six feet underground but his popularity bloom again after being launched as legal adviser and crime buster on both radio and television programs. Looking at Lim’s situation, it seems like he used the power of ABS CBN in order to earn him a hundred percent ‘pogi points’ from the public. If it is not true, just look at how he benefited from the programs entrusted to him by ABS CBN, Lim was able to establish again his name as the mayor of Manila, and he even managed to be re –elected twice for the same position.
There are also politicians who don’t need to infiltrate media and keep on acting as print or broadcast journalists, some tried to infiltrate media in a manner that the only thing they have to do is to produce dramatic commercials and air them during election. Just recall the 2010 National Election, a lot of politicians bombarded the media airways with PR commercials showing the public how good their names are, and persuading the public to vote for them if they want to have a change in their lives. One of them was the president himself Benigno Aquino III, his sister Kris Aquino is a great name in the television industry. She used her influence by acting like a prophet for his good brother. They produced PR commercials, and if we can remember it right, they even used the biggest stars to act for them on their PR commercials. Thanks to all those celebrities and to the great exposure into media, the Aquino bet was able to win the position.
The main point here is that the media were used by the politicians for their personal agenda, and the media allowed themselves to be used by politicians because they were being paid. Of course, the media stations cannot simply say no to money, their existence in the field depends on how much money they can earn, and earning no money at all means death for their existence also known as business. Aside from that, media cannot also say no to politicians who act like journalists because audiences seem to be oriented to watch programs which consist by known celebrities and also politicians. With this, the politicians nowadays are comparable to babies who still have to stay on an incubator for few months after premature birth, and of course, the incubator as the media. The politicians might have come out from their eggs earlier from expected, but with their glittering money, they can avail a place in the media and be nurtured there until they’re already the first –word of all household chores. Bad thing that media is business –oriented and cannot say no to it, and mostly, their work is also manipulated by the money of these politicians.
References:
Pabico, Alecks P. (January –March 1997). Crossing the Line. i Magazine.
Rimban, Luz. (October –December 1998). Dirty Harry Goes to TV. i Magazine.
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