Journalism Review Archives | Page 83 of 159

Media Debunk Arroyo’s ‘Exoneration’

CHEERS TO GMA News Online and Rappler for pointing out that not all charges against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been dismissed, contrary to the claims of her lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio. On December 17, Pasay RTC branch 112 granted Arroyo’s demurrer to evidence on the electoral sabotage case...

Media Focus on Urgent Public Health Issues

CHEERS TO GMA-7’s 24 Oras and I-Witness for calling attention to some of the most urgent public health issues in a series of reports and a documentary that aired at the start of 2019. 24 Oras’ three-part special report “Pasyentiis” from January 2 to 4 looked into the difficulties...

Against Rewriting History: Inquirer on the Marcoses’ Revisionism

CHEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer for its series on how social media is being weaponized by the Marcos family to advance their political interests and revise Philippine history. Written by Mariejo Ramos, the three-part report of the Inquirer looked at the “troll armies” and websites supporting the Marcoses’...

Keeping Go in the Public Mind

JEERS TO The Philippine Star for giving so much space to Christopher “Bong” Go, the former special assistant of President Rodrigo Duterte and a senatorial aspirant in the coming midterm elections. From December 1, 2018 to January 4, 2019, CMFR found that the Star published 18 reports of doubtful...

Minors in the News: Naming Invites Further Harm

REPORTING MINORS in the news involves a number of ethical issues and considerations. Is the story newsworthy? Will the exposure or publicity cause them potential harm? The essential vulnerability of children and even teenagers below 18 is the principal concern. Not all newsrooms are agreed about the naming of...

Media Didn’t Explain What Qualifies as “Pork”

IS THE controversial and unconstitutional pork barrel back? “Pork,” the lump-sum discretionary funds allotted to lawmakers for their pet projects was revealed to be used in a large-scale scam in 2013, when the Philippine Daily Inquirer uncovered how the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was used to channel kickbacks...

Online News Site Looks Into “Favored Contractor” Background

CHEERS TO GMA News Online for its efforts to look more closely into the government dealings of Bulacan-based C.T. Leoncio Construction and Trading, which some congressmen said has been a favored contractor of some Cabinet members for infrastructure projects. House Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. Alleged that the company...

Media Vigilant: Online Reports Note Reenacted Budget’s Link to Corruption

THE PHILIPPINE Congress adjourned this year without approving the 2019 General Appropriations Bill (GAB). Some senators blamed the House of Representatives for submitting the GAB late, citing their colleagues’ alleged “insertion” of pork barrel funds in the draft. When the House approved the bill only on November 20, Senate...

Press Releases in the Guise of News

JEERS TO the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Manila Standard for publishing single-sourced stories on the House of Representatives’ supposed completion of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda. Both reports come off as unedited, self-serving press releases from House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s propaganda machine. The Inquirer ran “House Delivers on Du30...

Federal Charter Railroaded: Media Missed House Vote Anomalies

AFTER THREE failed attempts at charter change during her own presidency, House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo may finally get her wish. On its third and final reading, the House of Representatives, by a vote of 224 in favor, 22 against and three abstentions, passed Resolution of Both Houses (RBH)...