Mauling incident of TV-entertainment host Vhong Navarro

On Jan. 23, 2014, the beating of celebrity-host Vhong Navarro made headlines in Philippine television news programs. The incident was linked to a blotter report filed by a 22-year-old model-stylist accusing the artist of rape.

Navarro appeared on ABS-CBN’s showbiz program Buzz ng Bayan to narrate his version of the events of January 22. Navarro’s camp later said that he was suing the model, a certain Cedric Lee, a certain Mike and other unidentified men for serious physical injuries, illegal detention and extortion.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) monitored the news programs TV Patrol and 24 Oras on January 27. ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol devoted 36 minutes and 41 seconds, or 65 percent of its entire air time, on Navarro. The news program had a total of eight stories on the incident including reports on the possible procedural lapses of the Southern Police District, an interview with the model and Lee, an interview with Navarro’s lawyer, and reports on celebrities and netizens expressing support for the celebrity-host.

TV Patrol anchor Korina Sanchez said at the end of the program: “…at si Vhong, magpagaling ka Vhong, mahal ka namin(and to you Vhong, get well soon. We love you).” Navarro is one of the hosts of ABS-CBN 2’s noontime variety show It’s Showtime.

GMA 7’s 24 Oras used 23 minutes and 55 seconds, or 43 percent of its entire airtime, to report on the incident. The program had seven news reports including an interview with Lee and the model, a report on the NBI investigation on the case, and a statement from GMA management. Earlier news reports said that the model is related to GMA 7′s Chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, but that was later denied by the station.

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Below is the line-up of reports that day of both newscasts:

ABS-CBN 2’s TV Patrol

1. SPD: Mga pulis na humahawak sa kaso ni Vhong Navarro, may procedural lapses
2. Mga guwardiya ng condo kung saan nabugbog si Vhong Navarro humarap sa NBI; COrnejo, hindi dumating
3. Vhong, isasailalim sa operasyon para ayusin ang basag na ilong
4. Sino si Cedric Lee?
5. Last Annex ng Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro, pinirmahan na
6. Political analysts: Pagpirma sa huling bahagi ng Framewok Agreement on Bangsamoro, posibleng magdulot ng gulo sa Mindanao
7. Pulis at mga residente, nagkagirian sa demolisyon sa Agham Road
8. Dating NBI Chief Epimaco Velasco, namayapa na
9. STAR PATROL
   -Holywood actor Robert De Niro nasa Pilipinas para sa Launch ng Hotel
   -ABS-CBN kinilala sa Gandingan Awards
10. Lee at Cornejo, isinalaysay ang kanilang bersyon ng nangyayaring pambubugbog kay Vhong Navarro
11. LIVE PHONE INTERVIEW: Atty. Alma Malonga, Abogado ni Vhong Navarro
12. CCTV PATROL: Pangungotong sa mga jeepney driver sa Maynila, nahuli sa CCTV
13. Commercial Rice, tumaas ang presyo
14. STAR PATROL
    -Katarungan para kay Vhong, isinulong ng netizens
    -Mga artista, nakikisimpatya kay Vhong

GMA7’s 24 Oras

1. Demolisyon sa Agham Road, nauwi sa karahasan
2. Sangol itinakbo sa ospital matapos nakalanghap ng teargas
3. Giit ni Deniece Cornejo, siya ang biktima at kakasuhan daw niya si Vhong Nacarro
4. Official statement ng GMA Network, Inc. na nagsasabing hindi related si Cornejo kay GMA network CEO Atty. Filipe Gozon
5. LIVE: DOJ , pinaiimbestigahan sa NBI ang pagbugbog kay Vhong Navarro
6. Abogado ni Vhong Navarro, idinitalya ang papambubugbog sa actor
7. Cedric Lee, dinepensahan ang sarili laban sa paratang na binugbog at kinikilan niya si Vhong Navarro
8. Normalization Annex at Addendum on Bangsamoro Waters, napagkasunduan na ng GPH at MILF
9. HULICAM: Sapilitang pagnanakaw ng motorsiklo, nahuli cam
10. Malamig na panahon posibleng tumagal hanggang Marso
11. I AM READY: Weather update
12. Sinkhole sa Florida, nagduloy ng pangamba
13. Mga Unggoy, nalalagay sa peligro dahil sa pagtakbo at paglalaro sa highway sa Maguindanao
14. CHIKKA MINUTE
    -Robert De Niro, nasa bansa para sa opening ng isang hotel
    -Tatlong bagong primetime show ng GMA
15. KAPUSONG TOTOO
    -Kapuso Village sa Tacloban
16. Ilang SOP sa pagkuha ng blotter laban kay Vhong Navarroinaming di nasundan ng SPD
17. 2 anyos na lalaki, marunong ng skateboard sa Australia
18. Jeane Napoles, nagsumite ng counter affidavit sa tax case na isinampa ng BIR
19. CHIKKA MINUTE
    -Staff ng the Borrowed Wife, dumipensa sa mga tumuligsa sa sinabi ng character ni Rafael Rosell tungkol sa mga call center agents
    -Jennylyn Mercado, na-sting ng jelly fish sa gitna ng Rhodorra X taping

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