Journalism Review Archives | Page 73 of 159

Mindanao quakes: Largely episodic

STILL REELING from the two destructive quakes in Tulunan, Cotabato last month, Mindanao was once again jolted by a magnitude 5.9 tremor, this time in Kadingilan, Bukidnon, on Monday, November 18. Sixteen people were reportedly injured. This incident followed the magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 which struck Cotabato on October...

Headline on sexually-transmitted dengue misleads, reflects bias against homosexuality

JEERS TO the Manila Standard for a misleading headline that reinforces prejudice against homosexuals. International news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) on November 8 first reported that Spanish health authorities confirmed the first known case of dengue transmitted through sexual activity. The man reportedly contracted it from his male...

Getting behind the news: Robredo as the anti-drug czar

“YOU WANT it? You’re more bright? Then try it.” This was President Rodrigo Duterte daring Vice President Leni Robredo to be the government’s anti-drug “czar” last October 28. In the presence of Malacañang reporters, Duterte responded angrily to the vice president’s criticism of his controversial “war on drugs” first...

Reporting an attack: Inquirer stands up to DFA secretary

CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s coverage of the attack against one of its reporters and its release of a statement of support for the journalist, as well as its drawing a line on the sand about verbal attacks on members of the press. This is a welcome and...

Missing in action or in photo-op

Absent in Mindanao DESTRUCTIVE QUAKES shook Mindanao during the last week of October but the survivors in the affected areas did not see hide or hair of President Rodrigo Duterte, the first president from the region. A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on October 29 followed by a magnitude 6.5...

Media’s unasked question: How much do Filipinos need the Kaliwa Dam?

FOR THE second time this year, declining levels of water in Angat Dam imposed rotational service interruptions in Metro Manila. Water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad cited the dipping levels in Angat Dam, the main source of water for the metro, as the reason. President Duterte warned the companies...

Unnecessary depiction of violence

JEERS TO media reports of 24 Oras, State of the Nation with Jessica Soho (SONA), CNNPhilippines.com and Rappler for the use of unfiltered videos in their coverage of the latest hazing scandal to rock the Philippine Military Academy (PMA). The case of Cadet 4th Class Darwin Dormitorio, who died...

All about ratings: Media milk celebrity family feud

JEERS TO ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol for airing a showbiz interview that took up almost a third of its one-hour newscast on October 22, effectively sidelining the key events and issues of the day. Online media outdid themselves with reports that tried to make sense of the Barrettos’ conflicting social...

Media on the much delayed rebuilding of Marawi

TWO YEARS after the liberation of Marawi, government announced the rehabilitation of the ruined city without apologies for its long and unexplained delay. Media headlines announced the start of rehab, with scant reference to the series of false starts, among them, almost awarding contracts to Chinese companies which had...

Explaining the transportation crisis

CHEERS TO 24 Oras for the spotlight it shone on the transportation woes that millions of commuters in Metro Manila and from neighboring provinces endure on a day-to-day basis. Its “Transportiis” series cited case studies, as well as data from relevant government agencies to illustrate the severity of the...