Speaking of Media
Flagging Bandila
“Bandila eschews the hysterics and hyperactivity of the usual news broadcast. Korina, Ces, and Henry do not engage in vocal histrionics and they make an effort to come across as friendly and conversational. So at least one does not feel like being screamed at anymore. The program is also relatively short and thankfully does away with what has seemingly become obligatory fodder in Philippine news programs—showbiz gossip.
“But I think Bandila is currently saddled by the weight of its own sense of self-importance. It seems confused about what it is primarily (news, newsmagazine, public affairs, national advocacy) for. And they really should downplay the ‘we are here to save Philippine television’ attitude.”
– Bong Austero, Manila Standard Today, July 5
On bombing the press
“Here we now see an American president and his vice president as well as some Congress members openly trying to deny the people and the press those same basic rights and freedom ingrained in their Constitution. Why? They are distracting, according to their political critics, public attention away from their bungling of the war in Iraq, which is an issue in this year’s mid-term election. And this is why they have unveiled a ‘new traitor’ by zeroing in on the press, particularly the NY Times (New York Times) for its ‘disgraceful’ act in publishing the front-page article about their effort to track down the terrorists.
“But what the newspapers did was solid journalism in revealing the dirty secrets of how the government has been prosecuting the unpopular war in the Middle East. It was an accurate, balanced report. And yet Bush and company have raised an uproar which, perceptive observers say, was part of their strategy to use the press as scapegoat to cover up their failed war policy. Well, as one news commentator has put it, they can’t win the war, so bomb the press!
“This assault on the free press reminded me of similar attempts by Gloria Arroyo and her political cohorts to muzzle media, both print and broadcast, in their desperate attempt to draw away attention from the continuing public outcry for her to step down from her illegitimate presidency.”
– Nestor Mata, Malaya, July 13, on US President’s Bush attack on the US media for releasing reports on the government’s ‘anti-terror’ program
Hope, not hatred
“MindaNews reported on how the NGO community put its act together against a tough humanitarian challenge, and how that same community, over a span of a few tense days and nights, kept the faith against what appears to be the gray nuances of insurgency and traditional governance.
“The news agency narrated the events as they unfolded, in stirring detail, focusing on the people’s hope, rather than on the hatred of a few: the call for the President to intervene on behalf of the villagers, the creation of Task Force Tabang Maguindanao by concerned groups, the six-car convoy of donor groups and government representatives that braved the danger zones to deliver their goods, and the temporary truce finally agreed upon by all parties upon the behest of the President.
“All these MindaNews delivered to its readers with an unrelenting loyalty not only to the facts, but to lasting peace in Mindanao, whose prospects can so easily be compromised by irresponsible reporting.”
– Mindanao Daily Mirror, July 10
The price of credibility
“Lawyer Oscar Orbos, who hosts GMA-7’s Debate with Mare and Pare with Prof. Winnie Monsod, should voluntarily leave the show if only to ensure the program’s credibility and impartiality.
“Orbos has become too visible in antigovernment rallies, was linked to a plot to oust the government through extra-constitutional means, and is consistently vocal in his call for the resignation of the President.
“As host of a public affairs show like Debate, he can no longer pretend to be impartial and objective when discussing issues involving the presidency and government affairs.
“In the event that he leaves the award-winning program, though, he will be missed.”
– Reader Loi Reyes Landicho, Standard Today, July 11
Tourism and reality
“Our role in media is to provide the information that travelers need to keep unpredictability at bay, from weather reports to accurate directions to reach off-the-beaten-track festivals. Yet we cannot keep out an accurate reading of local realities, such as a lack of critical infrastructure, or a nagging peace and order problem. For as proud as we are of our community, we cannot create only false, postcard-perfect pictures of it. Unlike tourists, we cannot ‘get away from it all.’ We have to live with it.”
– Isolde Amante, Sun.Star Cebu
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