Covering the Impeachment Missing: The Voice of the People

Boxing match

One of the many weaknesses of the Philippine press is reporting process. The penchant of journalists of looking for “something explosive” makes the coverage of trials, which are methodical, involve a number of procedures, and usually take time, problematic. The fixation with the sensational and the obsession with the “who won, who lost” angle usually results in exaggerated, premature conclusions about which side is making its case or losing it.

The same boxing match and score card fixation was evident almost from Day One.  PJRR noted in a previous monitor (Covering Corona: Media in aid of accountability, January-February 2012) that this “undermines the public’s capacity to appreciate the seriousness of the purpose of the impeachment trial as a means through which, via their elected senators and representatives, citizens can exact accountability from the highest unelected officials of the country whom they cannot vote out of office…”

When Vidal submitted Corona’s SALN to the Senate, GMA News TV asked Rep. Erin Tañada in a live interview if the prosecution considered it a victory. Tañada snapped  that the prosecution  didn’t want to count and that the impeachment trial was not a “boxing match.”

Lack of context, preparation

Those broadcasters who covered the Estrada impeachment trial like Pia Hontiveros and Lynda Jumilla were able to provide context to such questions about impeachment proceedings as the presentation of evidence, the examination of witnesses and the order of the discussion of the Articles of Impeachment,  to name a few.

But it was the exception rather than the rule.  Some news anchors and reporters were asking   legal experts and senator judges uninformed, even impertinent, questions.  One legal expert, for example, was asked during a gap interview if justices are required to file SALNs. The broadcaster should have known that all public officials are required by law to file SALNs every year, but didn’t.

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