We will not surrender our freedomsToday, 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.Read More Covering the PandemicRead more Covering the CoViD-19 Pandemic Media follow government lead in reporting historic economic recession THE GOVERNMENT announced the country’s first recession in three decades on August 6. At a press conference, the administration’s economic managers reported that in the second quarter of 2020, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) plunged by a record 16.5 percent. In a separate press briefing, Undersecretary Claire Dennis... Media fail to challenge government spin as PH tops Southeast Asia in COVID cases SINGAPORE-BASED Straits Times reported on August 5 that the Philippines was likely to be Asia’s COVID-19 hotspot as it recorded 6,532 new infections, the highest in a single day. Government officials quickly reacted in an attempt to control the narrative. On August 6, NTF’s Vince Dizon, president of Bases... Media failed to probe record-breaking “mass recovery” numbers DOH DREW flak for reporting an unexpected surge of COVID-19 recoveries amid the continued increase in the number of cases. On July 30, the health department reported a record-breaking 38,075 new recoveries, surpassing the previous total number recorded at 26,996. It reported a whopping total of 65,064. In a... Distress call from the health sector: Media only scratch the surface FINALLY, the medical community has spoken, pleading for relief for its front liners. In a video conference organized by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) last August 1, a group of doctors and nurses called on the government to place “Mega Manila”once again under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for... SONA in the time of COVID: Media capture the letdown THE COVID-19 pandemic tempered the usual pomp and circumstance that accompanies the State of the Nation Address (SONA). Government preparations for this year’s SONA required heightened health protocols, such as COVID-19 testing for those attending and who were allowed into the Batasang Pambansa, while others joined via teleconferencing. Coverage... COVID superspreader decisions: Media should hold government accountable THE MEDIA did not miss the sorry spectacle of thousands crammed in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. The category of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) now includes people who want to return to their home provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. They flocked to the stadium to avail of free... High profile deaths in Bilibid: Media flag possible cover-up THE BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) is again in hot water, with the scandal over the application of the GCTA to benefit even those who had been convicted of capital crimes still fresh in the public mind. On July 19, the media reported obtaining a death certificate of one Jaybee... Media flag Duque’s “flattening the curve” claim WITH SO much of COVID-19 policies dependent on the DOH’s claims, media should check out what the agency and its officials in charge are saying. As cases continue to rise in the NCR and Central Visayas, the health chief said, “We have successfully flattened the curve since April.” In... Terror law signed: Media keeps up with two opposing sides DESPITE MUCH opposition and calls for a presidential veto, Rodrigo Duterte signed the anti-terrorism bill into law on July 3. Critics of the bill, particularly those in the law profession, had said that they were ready to challenge the measure’s questionable provisions once signed. This was one bill that... Media should report on ABS-CBN shutdown fallout AFTER 12 taxing hearings focusing on alleged violations that government agencies denied, ABS-CBN’s ordeal in the House of Representatives ended with a disappointing but unsurprising decision. On Friday, July 10, the House Committee on Legislative Franchises and ex-officio members denied ABS-CBN’s franchise application with an overwhelming 70-11 vote. Failing... « Previous1…6364656667…202Next »
