CMFR Media Review Archives - CMFR

We will not surrender our freedoms

Today, Independence Day, we renew our pledge to serve the people, to continue speaking truth to power, and to guard and defend freedom of the press and of expression from all threats.

Covering the Pandemic

Covering the CoViD-19 Pandemic

The Silent Media

Native Advertising: Not just a Problem of One

Media echo government narrative on Marcos’ WEF trip

THE GLOBE-trotting president strikes again, this time in the wintry mountain town of Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Few journos make sense of military shake-up

IT WAS not easy to sort out the coverage of the cycle of appointments, re-appointments and resignations, but a sudden shuffle in the high positions of the military always suggests a restive mood among uniformed men – never a good sign, of different kinds of trouble brewing in government....

Shutdown of PH airspace blights new year cheer; More follow-up from media needed

Shutdown of PH Airspace Ruins New Year Cheer; More Follow-up from Media Needed

Maharlika investment fund passes House in record time; few media organizations question proponents

THE MAHARLIKA Investment Fund (MIF) bill (HB 6398) was widely criticized when it was first reported by the media. What most concerned some sectors was the bill’s proposed use of SSS and GSIS pension funds as seed money; the governance and corruption issues that hounded the funds of other...

Maharlika wealth fund invites public scrutiny

ANYONE CLOSELY watching the media since December began would not have missed the Maharlika Wealth Fund (MWF) proposed by the House of Representatives and backed by the government’s economic team. No other bill filed under the new Marcos administration has invited as much public scrutiny and criticism from individuals...

“Sovereign wealth fund” proposed; Agri product prices rise as holidays near

THE WEEK closed with the proposed “sovereign wealth fund” making headlines, with stories based mainly on what Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno had to say about it – that it was proposed during the Duterte administration and has now received the go-signal of President Marcos Jr.

Media report tension in West Philippine Sea as US VP visits Palawan

“A HISTORIC visit” was how news reports described US Vice President Kamala Harris’ trip to Palawan on November 22. Harris is the first and highest-ranking US government official to visit the island province, the most proximate to the maritime areas of high tension caused by the contentious activities there...

Civil society counters official claims on human rights, climate crisis

THREE HIGH-LEVEL meetings gathered Southeast Asian and world leaders last week: the ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 10 to 13; the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on the 15th and 16th; and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) from the 16th to 19th in Bangkok, Thailand.

Percy Lapid slay masterminds identified; Media hardly respond to government’s denial of killing’s chilling effect

THE CASE has proven to be among the most highly publicized of journalist killings in recent years. The huge following of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, better known to his audience as Percy Lapid, has guaranteed continuing and close media attention.

Marcos declares four regions in state of calamity; Climate change gains momentum in media coverage

“PAENG” ENTERED the country in time for the long “Undas” weekend and the traditional Catholic celebration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day. The Severe Tropical Storm, with the international name Nalgae, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on October 26. Its track was projected to cover Visayas and...