Elections 2022

Fuel Crisis takes over front pages; print and online media report unverified campaign claims

3rd report on the print and online media coverage of Elections 2022

By: CMFR Staff

Posted on: March 28, 2022, 1:03 pm

METHODOLOGY: CMFR reviewed the coverage of leading Manila broadsheets (Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, and Manila Bulletin), three other selected broadsheets (The Daily Tribune, The Manila Times, and The Manila Standard) and their online counterparts as well as independent online media Rappler and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism from March 7 to March 20, 2022. 

Also See: “Political and election-related controversies highlighted in the fifth and six weeks of the campaign period“

OTHER NATIONAL issues, especially the fuel crisis, took over print space on the upper fold of the front pages. But some media accounts still gave ample space to election-related reports, including controversies as well as unverified claims by campaign teams and state officials during the two-week period. In particular, presidential candidates Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’ and Leni Robredo’s rallies have been the subject of controversies, as attendance in Robredo’s rallies dramatically increased in number. 

Front pages

In the two-week period, the front pages gave ample coverage to the fuel crisis in the country as an effect of the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia. Other national issues in the front pages included the COVID-19 pandemic and the downgrading of most regions to Alert Level 1, calls to reduce work week days to four, and the passage of the law raising sexual consent to 16 from 12 years old.

Election-related reports on the front pages included election laws and other issues faced by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), including: 1) the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order on Comelec’s Oplan Baklas, 2) the appointment of new Comelec commissioners, 3) the preparations of the first Comelec debates, and 4) the suspension of the fact-checking agreement between Comelec and news site Rappler. 

Among the newspapers, The Manila Times was the first to report on the absence of witnesses in the Comelec’s ballot printing. The banner report featured an interview with the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL). The article pointed to the omission as a violation of both the Omnibus Election code and the law on automated elections. 

Print media also gave front page treatment to President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks about the characteristics of a good president. This was before his party PDP-Laban endorsed presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on March 22. Some of the media correctly noted that PDP-Laban was founded to fight the Marcos dictatorship.

The Philippine Star, Daily Tribune, Manila Times, Manila Standard, and Manila Bulletin also gave front page space to the results of various surveys.

But apart from the Comelec, Duterte’s remarks, and the surveys, some newspapers also gave front page treatment to unverified claims. The Tribune, which has been giving frequent front-page treatment to candidates Marcos Jr. and Duterte during the campaign, included on its front-page reports the red-tagging to supporters of Robredo.

Headlines recorded the unchecked claims of Cavite 7th District Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla on March 5. He said in a radio program he hosted that the participants in Robredo’s campaign rally were paid PHP 500 each and were communists in ‘pink.’ This was supported by a tweet by presidential candidate Panfilo Lacson in which he said a “coalition government” is worrisome.

The red-tagging story was also picked up by The Philippine Star, Manila Standard, and Manila Times in their front pages. Star and Standard cited an ‘intelligence report’ and Duterte’s statements, while the Times repeated Lacson’s claims and the columnist’s views.

Meanwhile, the inside pages included: 

  • Controversies including the endorsement of the church and the non-appearance of some candidates in debates;
  • Campaign activities and positions taken by the more prominent presidential candidates on fuel excise taxes, energy resources, and other issues; 
  • The positions taken by well-known senatorial candidates like Jinggoy Estrada, Salvador Panelo, Mark Villar, Loren Legarda, Gibo Teodoro, Harry Roque, and Jejomar Binay on various issues; and
  • The endorsement by local officials of some presidential candidates

CMFR also observed the frequency of mentions on certain senatorial candidates by certain papers during the period:

  • Times mentioned Gibo Teodoro in nine headlines and Harry Roque in four;
  • Tribune mentioned Salvador Panelo in seven headlines
  • Standard included Jejomar Binay in six headlines; and
  • Star mentioned Gibo Teodoro in five headlines

Different from CMFR’s TV Content Analysis, senatorial candidates and their positions in issues were given more prominence in print. But while some reports were news-worthy, most reports were puff pieces and press releases pretending to be news.

Print should also take advantage of the particular position the newspaper occupies in the news landscape. It is set apart by the lengthy process with which it publishes its editions. It is not obliged to provide minute by minute updates on anything happening. It does not have to compete with the speed with which social media spread breaking news. 

This disadvantage can be turned into something positive. It gives more time for more analyses, history, background information, and more context. This means print journalists have more time to do lengthier stories and to verify what is spread casually on social media. 

On a daily basis, such efforts can prevent great harm by correcting inaccuracies and misleading impressions created intentionally or by human error. The costs of such mis- or dis-information have yet to be assessed; but journalism itself will suffer the effects of the failure to distinguish facts from fiction. 

Online media split into segments

The review of online media revealed their frequent dissemination of unverified “breaking news.” But some online platforms have proven to be valuable sources of in-depth reports. 

CMFR has noted that online platforms did well during the first four weeks of the campaign period. But in the period under review, a few foundered and marred that record by reporting without question “red-tagging” statements and other unverified information just to be able to publish “breaking news.” 

Red-tagging, other Allegations

Just as their print counterparts did, Inquirer.net and Manila Bulletin Online echoed Remulla’s allegations that participants in Leni Robredo’s campaign rally in Cavite were paid and that some were ‘communists.’ Fortunately, Rappler, InterAksyon, and other broadcast media accounts also reported the statements issued by Robredo’s team, other supporters and netizens who said these charges were malicious and baseless. 

Overblown crowd estimates

Manila Bulletin Online reported the overblown crowd estimate  by the Marcos-Duterte campaign team, which the article said was based on a police assessment. Two other online news sites, tribune.net and inquirer.net, also used the Marcos camp’s estimate and heavily quoted UniTeam senatorial candidate Mark Villar.

The Bulletin never corrected its report while the Tribune evaded issuing a direct erratum, instead directing readers to a different report with corrected figures. (See: Media boost false claims on “500k” crowd at UniTeam Rally) Rappler was quick to publish a fact-check on Marcos campaign team’s claims. 

In-depth reports

Online media have led with in-depth reports the past four weeks of media monitoring. Apart from the fact-checking efforts of Rappler and InterAksyon, some of the media still pushed for in-depth reports providing greater context and background that the media audience needs to fully understand what is going on. CMFR cheers the following: 

  • Inquirer.net reviewed the past elections and the attempts at ‘political mergers’ in the 2016, 2010, and 2004 polls. This linked the issue to the attempted united opposition this 2022 and a ‘missed chance’ for electoral victory. 
  • Rappler published an overview of political dynasties in the regions, the next day publishing a report focused on Bukidnon and how the Zubiris remain  the political force in the heart of Mindanao.
  • Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) provided facts on the seven Duterte appointees in the Comelec, reviewing their backgrounds and links to Duterte himself.
  • Previously publishing an article on ad spending by the presidential candidates, PCIJ reviewed  the campaign expenditures of senatorial candidates and identified the following as the biggest spenders: Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, and Sherwin Gatchalian. The report went on to flag possible conflicts of interest due to their families’ ownership of big business companies. 

There are more issues requiring comprehensive and detailed treatment; presenting what is relevant and making such issues and information interesting.   

Those with vested interests can use their political power over decisions on economic/business and financial questions. The motivation would be the advancement of the interests of family corporations. 

We hope more news organizations can look into these to let voters know that the influence held by politicians over business matters and the pressures of business interests over political affairs should be one of the factors in voting the country’s future leaders.

ALSO SEE PREVIOUS REPORTS:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS