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.