Misquoted and Misspelled
We appreciate the effort made by newspapers to inform the public about the plight and status of our fellow journalists.
But, we would like to make a few clarifications to the story that appeared in the September 6 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer (p.A7) entitled, “Study says 54 slain media men not ‘trained’ journalists.”
The study, which was released by CMFR in a press conference last September 5 at the AIM Conference Center, focuses only on the 25 journalists killed in the line of duty between 2000-2005 and not the 54 that had been killed since 1986. Moreover, to say all “54 had no media training” is misleading because as we had pointed out: 1) we have no conclusive data on those killed prior to 2000; 2) we only referred to their “formal college education” and not the informal training received thru the KBP and other media organizations.
In the story that appeared in Philippine Star, the reporter misspelled the name of CMFR’s executive director as Quiros de Jesus instead of Quintos de Jesus.
Our version of the study may be downloaded at http://www.cmfr-phil.org/fffj1.htm
IS THE PCIJ Biased?
Is SWS President Dr Mahar Mangahas related to Malou Mangahas member of the PCIJ board of editors,.
FPJ and DR Mangahas (SWS) have a blood relationship
i read the article in question after reading the IFJ’s report, and was really surprised at the writer’s statements. It seems to me that to insinuate that ‘trained’ journalists are safe of the dangerous censorship is dangerous in itself.
furthermore, as a journalism student who is already practising free-lance journalism (for both mainstream and non-mainstream media), I think the line between ‘trained’ and ‘untrained’ can be very fuzzy. You dont need a degree to enable you to tell truths or facts.
some great examples for the philippines are
manila.indymedia.org
qc.indymedia.org
what i think should be said is that an independent journalist can often be an easier target.. as the truths they tell are often the hardest.
in solidarity.