Covering or seeking cover?: The curious cases of blocktimers in Negros Occidental

“There is in the Philippines a season when politicians cross over to broadcast journalism, blurring the line between the Fourth Estate and the establishment that its members are supposed to fiscalize, and erasing the traditional tension that is supposed to exist between the Press and the powers-that-be,” writes Bacolod-based freelance journalist Julius Mariveles about the blocktiming practice in Negros Occidental during the current mid-term election season.

“That season is the election season, when politics, the news media, and entertainment are thrown into one merry, colorful, noisy, and moneyed mix. It is also the time when some broadcasters and journalists become candidates, running for various elective positions and becoming members of traditional political parties.”

To know more about the blocktiming practice in Negros Occidental and its connection with the upcoming elections, read the rest of his story “Covering or seeking cover?: The curious cases of blocktimers in Negros Occidental” here: http://www.cmfr-phil.org/2013/04/18/covering-or-seeking-cover-the-curious-cases-of-blocktimers-in-negros-occidental/

Mariveles recently served as production chief and news director of Aksyon Radyo Bacolod. His first story on blocktimers for CMFR can be read here: http://www.cmfr-phil.org/2012/10/01/mixed-blessing-or-mixed-curseblocktiming-in-bacolod-city/

To know more about this unique Philippine broadcast media practice of blocktiming, visit our special page on blocktiming.