TV programs critique Senate President’s remarks on media freedom

CHEERS TO two television programs for their critique of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri’s remarks against the media. ANC’s Dateline Philippines pointed out his lack of understanding of the role of the press in democracy and dissected the possible impact of his statement while One News’ The Chiefs called out the Senator for asking the media to do public relations for government, prioritizing the country’s image over the people’s right to know. 

At a Senate press briefing on November 7, Zubiri called on the media to “help sanitize the image” of the country. The senator made the demand in connection with the widely reported killing of broadcast journalist Percival Mabasa, popularly known as Percy Lapid. Zubiri lambasted Philippine media for “blowing up” or making a big deal of the case. He said, the crime against Lapid “had no chilling effect” – as the media are still free to report the news. 

Misunderstanding media’s role

On November 9, Dateline Philippines’ anchor Karmina Constantino interviewed Jonathan de Santos, Chairperson of the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), questioning Zubiri’s point of view, asking whether the Philippine media are actually as free as the Senate President claims. De Santos used the label “partly free” to describe the press, as it is free “to cover certain issues. . .” However, he pointed out that journalists who report on controversial subjects experience “fear of reprisal.”  De Santos said Lapid’s case, based on evidence that points to his journalistic work as a possible motive, demonstrates exactly how reprisals are carried out.

Zubiri insisted that the swift pace of the ongoing investigation should have satisfied the media. Speaking in a mix of English and Filipino, Constantino recalled Zubiri’s questionable perspective: He [Zubiri] said that [investigation] should have been enough. Inaksyunan naman na daw, so bakit pa kailangang pagusapan?” (It was acted upon already, so why is there still a need to talk about it?)  

In response, De Santos pointed out that media did their part and covered the investigation but that it would be premature to presume that the case has been resolved: “Inaksyunan na (It was acted on) and we have reported ‘yong aksyon na ‘yon (on those actions). But also, identifying a suspect is really just a preliminary step. There isn’t an arrest warrant yet. Preliminary investigation pa ‘yan so it’s hard to say na tapos na ‘yong kaso.” (That’s just the preliminary investigation so it’s hard to say that the case is finished.) 

Both Constantino and De Santos agreed that while Zubiri’s tirade was controversial, he is not the first one to misunderstand the media’s role, and will not be the last government official to hope for a subservient Philippine press. In anticipation, newsrooms and journalists can strengthen efforts to set the record straight on media’s real mandate and to feature discussions about the value of press freedom in a democracy. 

Government competence, press freedom over “image”

The Chiefs’ anchor Ed Lingao interviewed Richard Heydarian, a columnist and academic, on November 8. Heydarian focused on the government and its job. He directly called out Zubiri for “insulting journalists” by “putting the onus” on them to improve the country’s image. Heydarian argued that government and its officials should take up the responsibility: “If you want to improve the image of the country, do your job. Be an efficient official, be a good senator, make sure na may (there are) checks and balances. So sana hindi lang tayo concerned sa imahe concerned din tayo sa performance and competence.” (That we are not only concerned with image but also with performance and competence.) 

For Heydarian, the international community’s respect can be gained by having a “competent government and competent officials.” He added that along with government competence, press freedom is also “more important than image.” 

Media should be quick to call out government officials who blame media for the country’s bad image arising from the lack of good governance. A high official who makes such an uninformed statement should be checked as part of the report, so as to project how the press fulfills its role as a watchdog of power, its conduct and abuse.