2019 Elections 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

All the President’s Men: Independent or Rubber Stamp?

UNRESOLVED IRREGULARITIES in the recent midterm elections did not stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from proclaiming the new senators last May 22. Nine out of the 12 are administration allies, including Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. who is facing graft charges, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who, as chief of...

The Powerful and Popular Versus the Marginalized: The Party-list Poll Results

THE PARTY-LIST system has been so corrupted that it has led to the political dynasties’ and their agents’ strengthening their hold on the House of Representatives. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaimed 51 winning party-lists in the recent midterm polls, filling 61 seats in the next Congress. Many groups...

All Eyes on Comelec: Media on Election “Glitches”

THE “GLITCHES” which marred the May 13 elections triggered public dismay, not just among those who supported the opposition, but also those who have held faith with the automation of the ballot. Most Filipinos did not expect the kind of procedural lapses which marred the experience of voters early...

Defeat of Dynasties: A More Critical Look

CHEERS TO ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol for a critical look into the defeat of some local dynasties. In a May 17 report, TV Patrol noted that political dynasties come and go and in most cases are only replaced by new ones. The newscast took off from the victories...

Covering the May 13 Elections: TV Did the Better Job, But…

NOTHING QUITE highlights the importance of media coverage as the elections in the Philippines, where fraud, vote-buying and violence have marred the political exercise. During the May 13 mid-term elections, the news media were at best only partly successful in discharging one of its most significant duties as public...