Speaking of Media

Indifference of gov’ts
“At a time when escalating cases of extrajudicial killings and involuntary disappearances seemed to have desensi-tized society, preventing it from unleashing a just human rage, the media must be there to keep the flames of justice burning by reminding society that every victim’s story deserves to be heard.” –
– Jose Torres, July 21

Essential to democracy
”The conservatives will surely not like the bill of Sen. Chiz Escudero removing all penal provisions in cases of libel filed against journalists. But civil libertarians will like the measure, which aims to strengthen freedom of the press.
“Libel, by writing and other similar means, will be reduced to a civil case once Senate Bill 1403 becomes law. I know that this measure is being awaited by the media community since the May polls when Escudero made his pledge to decriminalize libel.
“The bill seeks to repeal or modify all laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules, and regulations trea-ting libel as a criminal offense. Take note that most of the existing proposals against libel simply remove the penalty of imprisonment. Escudero wants a revocation of both imprisonment and fine.
“Escudero based his bill on the Bill of Rights and explained that his proposal seeks to accord greater protection to freedom of speech and expression….
“The pressure brought about by libel is not limited to imprisonment but also the threat, aside from fine, of having an existing criminal record in law enforcement agencies, and the courts.
“Escudero, however, said that this bill does not condone irresponsible journalism. Under the law, civil liability still exists, hence, an aggrieved party can claim damages.
“Is it time to have a law like this? Is the practice of journalism in the Philippines mature enough to allow a law like this? Only the future can tell—once the law is passed and implemented. In the meantime, we really have to protect the journalists because the practice of their profession is an essence of democracy.”
– Julius Fortuna, Aug. 7, The Manila Times

Investigating the ‘investigators’
“Let me categorically declare that I am not against these television shows per se. I think these shows do serve a purpose. I agree that vigilance is not necessarily a bad thing, especially in a social setting where there is just too much abuse of power. These shows provide a very potent alternative to the downtrodden in their struggle for justice, particularly since we all know that the justice system in this country can be very lopsided in favor of those with connections and resources.
“However, we must also come to terms with the fact that too much zeal results in excesses. And very often, these excesses have to do with violations of the civil liberties of the accused.
“I know. Most of us feel uncom-fortable when discussing the rights of alleged criminals. However, we must remember that the whole justice system is based on this most basic assumption: Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and only the courts can declare guilt…
“Unfortunately, this is glossed over when we watch an hour’s worth of these shows. The editorializing that accom-panies these shows leaves no doubt as to the guilt of the accused…
“…(I)t is about time that we have a serious discussion on the ethics of the medium. Not because we want to turn the tables around and investigate the investigators. We need to do so because it is about time that we define the limits of the medium. For surely, no one in this country, not even television shows and their hosts, are omnipotent enough to be allowed to act as accuser and judge at the same time. It is incongruous that people who pontificate about the need to protect civil liberties are allowed to trample upon them in the first place”.
Bong Austero,  Manila Standard Today, July 16, on the proliferation of undercover “investigative” shows on television

That species called ‘journalists’
“The news guys are usually the loud ones, or the ones wearing T-shirts that proclaim that justice still lives. The sports guys are the ones always laughing around like everything’s okay with the world. The entertainment and lifestyle people are those who’re always dolled up, it almost seems like every day is prom night. Business people? They just stand in their own corner, wrapped up in the smugness of knowing something we don’t.”
– Philippine Daily Inquirer assistant sports editor Francis Ochoa, theboyfromsmallville.wordpress.com, July 25

Celebrating Moro Times
“We are proud that intra-Filipino, intra-Moro and international solidarity is finally being led by a few communicators who value the Islamic saying that ‘The ink of a scholar is mightier than the blood of a martyr.’”
– Sulu Rep. Yusop Jikiri, the Times, July 27

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