REACTION PAPER: “End Impunity, Defend Press Freedom”

• In simultaneous with the commemoration of the 20th month of Maguindanao Massacre, I and my co-journalism student attend a seminar. A series seminar with a theme “End Impunity, Defend Press Freedom”, last July 23 at Radyo Bulacan North Link Bldg ballroom, Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan.---

  The first day serves as the opening of each participant’s minds.

  The first speaker, Mr. Rommel Ramos of GMA7, discussed about the threats that every media practitioner had receive. So, in every word that he relay to us, the participants, I’ve found that my chosen coarse, which h may leads me to my future profession, is really a dangerous one. This is because of the threats that every professional media practitioner experience at the battle field.

  The seminar also made us realize the difference of the threats before and today. And through him, I also found out that here in our province, there are politicians who threatened some media practitioner, who publish or broadcast about them.

  The second speaker, the editor-in-chief of Punla, Ka Nene Ocampo, taught us about the Journalism ethics and alphabet. We’ve learn that if we receive a threat, we should not make another story regarding that people. Instead, we should stop then, report to your editor that you’ve receive a threat with that person and the editor will assign other to make another story about that people.

  She also tell us that every little thing happen or we’ve encounter can have a great story. And that every little thing can help to improve and practice our skills.

  And through Mr. Shane Prias Ocampo, a graduate Mass Communication major in Broadcasting student of Bulacan State University, we have learn the three things that every media men should have, these are the listening knowledge, reading and analyzing news material our even a book and lastly, everyone should be open minded.

  Mr. Dino Balabo, introduce with us, the impunity. He also officially opens the Feature Writing and Multimedia Contest connected to the Awareness on Impunity.

  Through his discussion, I found out what really impunity means. And I also found out that the offender cannot be punish, unless he is proven that he really did the crime.

  Posted at BAJ-3 FEATURE WRITING, facebook group, last July 25, 2011 at 6:17

PNoy's SONA: A Feel Good Report

The most awaited speech of President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III (PNoy) was already delivered. A lot of Filipino, professional and non-professional peoples, listens and watch his report with regards to the economic progress and plans for his third year in government.

Together with that, there are lots of opinions diffused telling their approval, even disapproval, with PNoy’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) held at Batasang Pambansa last July 23.

PNoy started his speech with the different cases, where the former President-now-Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spend the country’s fund through unfinished and incomplete fund project.

“Nariyan po ang kaso ng North Rail. Pagkamahal-mahal na nga nito, matapos ulitin ang negosasyon, nagmahal pa lalo,” PNoy said on his speech, “Sa kabila nito, binabawasan ang benepisyo. Ang dating labingsiyam na trainsets nagiong tatlo, at ang mga estasyon, mula lima, naging dalawa,”

He also revealed the Philippine National Police lack of weapon and restated the billion peso coffee expenses of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

Education

On the other hand, President Aquino reports the condition of education system and needs of the nation.

“Bago matapos ang susunod na taon, ubos na ang minana nating 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid aralan… next year na po ‘yan; 40,000 pa lang this year,” he said, “Ang minana po nating 2, 573, 212 na backlog sa upuan, tuluyan na rin po nating natutugunan,”

Aside to that, the former PGMA administration leaves 61.7 million backlogs on textbooks, which the current administration furnished little-by-little for the Filipino student to own textbook.

“At para naman po hindi mapag-iwanan ang ating mga State Universities and Colleges (SUC’s) mayroon tayong panukalang 43.61 percent na pag-angat sa kanilang budget para sa susunod na taon,”

Aside to produce more establishments and project, this also aims to produce productive and intelligent professional and graduates.

Supported Bills

 This shortage of supplies of classrooms and materials on learning shows the population growth of the Philippines. Indeed, through this a-bit-solve problem, Noynoy had shown his support to Responsible Parenthood Bill, a seen solution to the growth of population.

Aside to that, he was shown his support to Sin Tax Bill, which pushing to add taxes on cigarettes and alcoholic drinks to decrease percentage of addiction to these types of things. And through this, the fund allotted to Department of Health will increase.

In line to health, PNoy talks about the increase and benefits of PhilHealth. In fact, according to him, when he got the position of presidency, there are just 62 percent of PhilHealth beneficiaries but, this year 85 percent already enrolled to this, showing that 23.31 percent of Filipino added to the list of beneficiaries.

Also, the Mosquito trap project, which he stated on his second SONA, already prove its effectiveness on decreasing the case of dengue.

“Sa buong probinsya ng Bukidnon noong 2010, may 1,216 na kaso. nang ilagay ang mga mosquito trap noong 2011: mukhang nakatulong dahil bumaba ito sa 37; 97 percent raw po ang reduction po ito,” he said, as he proves.

Aside to that, he stated that only eight cases in Cagayan out of 228 and in Northern Samar, who listed 434 last year, records four this year.

Aquino also pushes ‘Anti-money Laundering Act”, which help the judicial council, even the public, to impeach or remove the official to the position.

Proving that, having the justice in his administration, as CGMA received a plunder case and being hospital arrest before she leaves the country.

“[Noon] pinatunayan natin, posibleng mangibabaw ang katarungan kahit na ang kabangga mo ay may mataas na katungkulan [sa gobyerno],”

Aligned to that, he shows his gratitude to the House of Representative and House of Senate after having their opportunity on impeachment trial of Ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Problem Solve

Wang-wang was not out of his speech this year, but he hasn’t elaborated it. He literally discussed it as the Wang-wang sound, the Siren. Unlike last SONA, he compared it to the corrupt officials.

“Ang wang-wang sa lansangan, galing na lang sa pulis, ambulansya o bumbero – hindi sa opisyal ng gobyerno,” he said.

Decreasing the traffic cases in the country will be more possible because of the plans and proposals of Department of Public Ways and Highways (DPWH).

In fact, he stated that the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, which lessen the traffic cases in Las Pinas, Paranaque and Cavite, already started.

Additionally, he also said that by 2015, there will be an elevated road which connects and crosses the North and South Luzon Expressway. And putting-up a bus terminal for provincial operation buses at Taguig, Quezon City and Paranaque were also a plan, which lessen the traffic at Edsa.

“Magkakaroon pa po ‘yan [Caticlan Airport] ng mga kapatid: bago matapos ang aking termino, nakatayo na ang New Bohol Airport sa Panglao, New Legaspi Airport sa Daraga at Laguindingan Airport sa Misamis Oriental,”

Economic Progress and Praises

These projects became possible because the economy of the Philippine increases. In fact, the Gross Domestic Product growth, as of the first quarter of this year, is 6.4 %, which is far to the expectation of the government and got a lot of comments from the business world and other other country.

“Ayon sa Bloomberg Bussiness week, and I quote ‘Keep an eye to the Philippines’. Ang Foreign Policy Magazine, pati ang isa sa mga pinuno ng ASEAN 100, nagsabing maaari raw tayong maging, and I quote, ‘Asia’s Next Tiger’” he stated.

Also according to him, as he stated to his speech, Ruchir Sharma, a leader of Emerging Market Equalities and Global Macro of Morgan Stanley, said that ‘Philippines is no longer a joke’. In which he believe because, Sharma shares a billion dollar for a business here in the country.

And because of the progress in the economy, Philippines now able to let other nation to borrow money from the country.

“Kung dati po, tayo ang laging nangungutang, ngayon, hindi birong tayo ang nagpapautang,”

His side

Meanwhile, he already revealed his stand with the unbreakable issue of Bajo de Masinloc or West Philippine Sea, through stating a scenario.

“Kung may pumasok sa inyong bakuran at sinabing sa kanya na ang kanyang kinatatayuan ay sa kanya na, papaya ka ba? Hindi naman po yata tamang ipamigay na lang natin sa iba ang sadyang atin talaga,” he said “Kaya nga po hinihiling ko sa sambayanan ang pakikiisa sa isyung ito. Iisa lamang po dapat ang kumpas natin. Tulungan niyo akong iparinig sa kabilang panig ang katuwiran ng ating mga paninindigan,”

He also said that he already and still trying to consult experts with regards to this matter. Aside to the expert, he also consults the opinion of other countries leader, even the opponent party of the matter.

But, some felt dismay because PNoy haven’t gave his statement with regards to the Freedom of Information Bill.

“Well, ako naman eh, hindi naman ako frustrate pero kanining umaga [bago ang SONA] nagkaroon ng statement si Senator Enrile sa senado ukol sa FOI, so gagalaw at gagalaw ang kongreso ukol d’yan. Maliwanag din po ang suporta ng pangulo noong siya ay nagsalita ukol sa FOI noong nakaraang enero, tatlo lang naman na legislative measures na may pahagingang ng pangulo,” District 4 Quezon Representative Erin Tanada, said.

His Boss Side

“Well, kung titingnan po natin ang SONA ng ating pangulo marami siyang tinalakay,” he added “simple lamang ang mensahe [yun ay] hindi naman pala imposible, kaya naman pala nating gawin at ituwid ang mga maling paraan,”

Also according to him, these changes do not take much because the administration achieves these without increasing the tax.

“Generally it is a fell-good report, ang gaganda lahat ng sinabi niya. At lahat naman ay may karampatang datos,” University of the Philippine Professor Clarita Carlos, a political analysts, said.

Also, a college student from Bulacan State University, Hanna, also said even if she haven’t watched the SONA fully, she could say that it is more on positive report of PNoy’s administration.

On the other hand, Representative Magsaysay said that Noynoy should not compare his administration to the past administration this time, because it’s already his third SONA.

“S’yempre, puro positive pero, dapat hindi na niya binabalikan pa ang nakaraang administrasyon kasi, it’s his third SONA. But, okay ang dating sakin ng pagtataas ng pondo sa SUC’s at pagbaba ng kaso ng dengue,”

SONA was made to get the participation of the countries people. This following positive report was for the Filipino, his boss. And that is the reason why his speech became ‘Report kay BOSS’.

“Mula sa sinapupunan, sa pag-aaral at pagtatrabaho, may pagbabago nang haharap sa Pilipino. At sakaling piliin niyang magserbisyo sa gobyerno, tuloy pa rin ang pag-aaruga ng estado hanggang sa kaniyang pagreretiro. Tatanawin ng pamahalaan ang kanyang ambag bilang lingkod-bayan, at hindi ipagdadamot sa kanya ang pension siya rin naman ang namuhunan,” PNoy, said.

Posted/Published at Facebook, a requirement at Special Problem in Journalis

Bulacan Newspaper: How the publication deals with modernization? Salary?

• Attitude and adaptation of community paper towards the salary and changes due to technology

  
  

  Putting-up a newspaper in a community faces some troubles before reaching the success in the business. Financial was one of the difficulty that every, if not most, publisher faces as they aimed to serve the public, relay news in events happening in a locality.

  
  

  Like Maria ‘Ka Nene’ Bundoc-Ocampo, Editor-in-chief (EIC) and Publisher of Punla (Pulso ng Madla), experienced when she was putting-up her local newspaper. She remembers how her family helps her to build-up a newspaper and her mother selling the paper to their baranggay.

  
  

  Starting for several pages and small budget for circulation, makes her passion in writing useful and serve the public, through supplying their hunger for information.

  
  

  Journalism attitude towards Salary

  “Of course, most business do. I’m still buried to death from the loan mortgage of my lot property I inherited from my parents which I used as the capital in this paper,” NewsCore EIC and Publisher Carmela Reyes-Estrope said, as she stated how she build-up and financial problem took place on her publication.

  
  

  Also according to her, as he expound her statement, the weekly printing cost, layout artist fee, honoraria of columnists  reach the amount of minimum of 7000php to 8000php, which also includes other incidental and operational expenses.

  
  

  With this, as the budget can’t sustain the expenses of the publication the salary of the reporter can be affected, possibly.

  
  

  “Ang sweldo kasi sa ganyan (community newspaper) ay ayon sa naisusulat mo, baka sumulat ka lang ng kapiraso at wala pang kadating-dating, paano ka papaswelduhin?” Ato Gabe of Luzon Times, a community newspaper, said.

  
  

  Also according to him, the salary between national newspaper is different form how much earnings that reporter of local newspaper gain. He also said that regular earning in journalism profession is very seldom, because most of the newspaper salary depends on how many news story you published.

  
  

  Meanwhile, Bundoc-Ocampo said that she gave her reporter, even contributor, an honorarium because she still can’t give fixed salary. She also mention how the honorarium circulates in her publication, she gave 200php for banner story, 150php for front and back page story, inside page stories amounts 100php and 75php for every press releases.

  
  

  “I pay article contribution 200php – 300php to 500php the most. For my columnist, it’s 500php per week,”  said Estrope.

  
  

  Unfortunately, because of this reality of not having a good and regular salary that can feed their everyday expenses, some journalist do unethical acts, like orbit, act of collecting money to the sources, politicians.

  
  

  “ ‘Yung mga hindi talaga regular na naglalabas ng dyaryo (ang kilala kong hindi nagpapasuweldo), na ang tawag ay fly by night,” Gabe said.

  Also, he said that he don’t know if there is newspaper publication who do orbits in the province, but he never that only fly by night type of newspaper exist here.

  
  

  “Kulang kasi ang kita nila (orbit reporter), kailangan kasi nila mayroon sila maipublish na (may) magbabayad, para kumita. Hindi kamukha nitong mga nandito (nasa Bulacan Press Club) na mayroon (pinagkukunan) weekly,” Gabe said.

  
  

  Local journalist collects money from the sources because they don’t have enough money to pay all their daily expenses.

  
  

  Sometimes, this orbit system was from the mind of the publisher and EIC of each publication. This is because of the fact that they can’t give enough salary to their reporter, so that, they suggest or advise their reporter to do orbit, for the earn money.

  
  

  “Akala nila gano’n (orbit rm to eporter) ang peryodismo, puro paninikil. Hindi dapat nag-eexist sa peryodismo ang mga orbit reporters,” Punla EIC and Publisher said.

  
  

  On the other hand, Ato Gabe cleared that there are several source of fund, where did the publication can earn more money for the organization to pay good salary for their reporter, aside from the sale and bulk order of the newspaper.

  
  

  “May legal notice o kaya naman nagpapapublish ng mga PR (Press Release) and advertisement,” he said.

  
  

  Aside from the problem in the salary, ability of the reporter was mentioned some local journalist.

  
  

  “(From 1 to 10) 10 ang level of competency ng reporters ko, pero kapag may mali sa ginawa nila, nilelecturan ko sila para matuto sila sa susunod, ipinaliliwanag ko talag sa kanila na ganito yan, ganire yan,” Bundoc-Ocampo said.

  
  

  On the other hand, Gabe of Luzon Times said that the reporter who doesn’t receive enough salary and rounds on the government offices in the province to solicit money from the officers are the one who unable to write a good story.

  
  

  Journalism in Modern Technology Years

  Today, newspapers are adopting the changes caused by the modern technology. Changes from the ways of making the layout of the paper up to the new way of disseminating of news, were adopted by the newspaper publication.

  
  

  Most of the publication now used to have their layout using publisher software of the computer, but some are using the newer and in trend software called page maker.

  
  

  “Kami (ang ginagamit namin na panglayout) publisher, pero dati page maker,” Ka Nene of Punla said, “(noong nasa star kasi ako) publisher ang gamit namin kaya gamay ko,” she added.

  
  

  And when it comes to the adaptation of new media, local publications are stepping little by little.

  
  

  “Website meron kami, wala nga lang pambayad kaya hindi na natuloy. Nakaplano na yung e-Punla, yung website…” she added.

  
  

  Aside from Punla, Luzon Times also had their own version of newspaper in social media, who manipulated by the owner of the publication.

  
  

  Posted/ Published at Facebook, as a requirement in Special Problems in Journalism

  Posted/Published last July 19, 2012.

Review on News for Sale

The Book

News for Sale 2010: Cash Overload, Media Overdrive, compiled book by Philippine Center for Investigative Journalist, tackles about how media covers the candidates for national and local government. Also, discuss about the how media practitioner deals with envelops, which candidate offers to them.

Before the 2010 Election, politics was very simple. Campaign then, was not that glamorous like the 2010 Election, which there are several celebrities endorses their bets and online media exists – For the candidate to be more known, and showbiz personalities influence the people to vote for whom.

But, in the history of politics, media corruption is always present. Having a barter between the politician and media practitioner, trade of money or gifts for a story with a whole lot of twist. This trade between the source and media may result to influence the write-ups of the news men.

May 10, 2010: Pera-Pera lang ‘yan!

This election, 2010, was a lot differ from the previous polling, from the system of voting and how candidate competes with each other had a lot of difference. This automated election tested the ability of media in delivering news quicker than before.

Covering this type of reporting requires a lot of skills and money, for the expenditures of the media organization while conducting coverage to supply news to the public.

“We can’t even raise the salaries of reporters or provide them enough allowance for out-of-town coverage,” said one senior newspaper executive. While, Lynette Ordonez-Luna, editor of Inquirer.net said, “We could have had more people and equipment for an improved coverage of the elections. All of that can only be possible if we had a budget for it,”

Without the money, funds, improvement in coverage of media organization was affected. Media outlet may depend on the politicians allowance for coverage, which may affect or twist the content of the news in exchange to the goodness of the candidate.

On the other hand, television networks did some program to educate the Filipino on what to do in the upcoming automated election. This  program are ‘Eleksyon 2010’ with a ‘Leksyon sa Eleksyon’ and MTV ‘Bilog na hugis Itlog’ of GMA 7 and ‘Ako ang Simula’ and  ‘Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo’ of ABS-CBN.

“Globally, it’s really citizen journalism and professionalism combining,”  Maria Ressa of ABS-CBN said about the ‘Ako ang Simula’, “So, our goal was how to grow citizen journalism so that it becomes a force in the election,”

And because of the success and popularity of ABS-CBN’s ‘Ako ang Simula’, GMA 7 and TV 5 build their own version of citizen journalism program, ‘YouScoop’ and ‘JournalisMo’, respectively.

In addition, GMA 7 showcase election special program such as ‘Kandidato’ and ‘Isang Tanong’, which features the candidates to present their platforms and stands to the current issues; ‘Biyaheng Totoo’ and ‘Votebook’, an election-related mini-documentary.

This program were established because, GMA 7 believes that through this shows, all candidates of are given a chance to speak-out their voice.

And to avoid biasness, ABS-CBN made Kris Aquino, sister of Noynoy Aquino, and Korina Sanchez, the senior news anchor, who recently married to Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas, rest during the campaign period.

Newspaper also had their own version of citizen journalism; they allot pages for the writer-wannabes. Star made ‘Inbox’, in which email and text messages from readers are posted while, PDI have ‘Youngblood’ and ‘Highblood’, a feature essays written by youths and senior citizen, respectively.

Also, Star conducted a getting-to-know-you session with the presidential candidates, resulting a write-up that aims to know the candidate more.

“Everybody was given a chance, except Jambi Madrigal, who did not come,” Marichu Villanueva, Star Associate Editor, said.

Meanwhile, as Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility review the flagship of the two big TV network in the Philippine, they showed that ABS-CBN covers a lot of Villar while GMA 7 aired more of Aquino, Estrada, Teodoro then, Villar.

Exposing more news about some particular candidates, the biasness is not only exist in the media practitioner who made the news but, also to the gatekeepers or front-liner of the media organization. This is because they are the one who choose which news to air or publish and which is not but, sometimes the choice is with the owner of the company or editorial policy.

“Our rules are simple: If the story is newsworthy, it goes on air. The call always belongs to the people who cover and air the news, not (to) the people who fund or advertise in it,” GMA 7 said.

Additionally, Howie Severino of GMA 7 said about their policy, “We refused offers of money and policed our ranks. We constantly reminded the staff about our rules and the consequences of breaking them,”

“We always paid our own way and never relied on political parties or candidates, even if they offered to foot the bill. We believe that to be able to live up to tenets of ‘serbisyong totoo’, which is ‘walang kinikilingan, walang pinoprotektahan’, to be truly objective, we could not be beholden to any individual or entity,” GMA 7 said.

Some of the reporter, respondent on the study of PCIJ, revealed that they were offered some gives like branded flipflops, pasalubong, travel bags and money, called as reimbursement allowance that ranged from 500- 3000 php. Envelops were sometimes attached with the Press Release that they handed after or during the coverage and mostly, handed through personally – Face-to-face.

Whenever a media practitioner receives money, even gifts, from the source or candidate, the news story that you were writing is influenced and twisted.

For instance, a media practitioner received 3000php from a gubernatorial candidate and hears the candidate said some negative things on his opponent then, the media practitioner will no longer write about the bad attitude that the candidate showed during the press conference but, he will report only about the platforms and plans of this governor wannabe. And through this, the position runner already buys the media men favors.

And sometimes, the gatekeeper and editor are the one who push them to that thing, to be bias.

“Para lumabas ang story, dapat kunin and pahayag ng partikular na kandidato at hindi masyadong halatang banat sa pinapaburan ng publisher,” one of the respondent said.

Not only that, there are also some media company that are controlled and funded by the government. This are the NBN Channel 4, Philippine Broadcasting Service, RPN 9, IBC 13, Times journal, and its sister tabloids People’s Journal and People’s Tonight, who receives budget subsidy from Malacanang.

Corruption not only exists in Metro Manila, but also to the province, where media are more prone to be exposed in corruption.

In fact, there are some media organization, which only publish or airs during election because, this business is best during this time.

And the reason that was seen why did community media commits corruption because, through this they can gain more money.

Community media are not just a reporter, most of the time they’re also do sale man of their newspaper.

Freddie Solinap said, “Pag hindi ka magdikarte ng ganun (to sell space), wala kang income. We do that, we make contracts where there’s festival, we’d really give a proposal to the mayor to feature that town. Sometimes, they will buy the newspaper edition, for example, they will buy 10,000 copies to distribute to the communityor their constituents, depending on the headline,”

Through those strategies, the community paper raised some income that can support their following issues.

Sometimes, it comes to the point that one community media was shocked because one of the new elected officer offered him money after the interview, the officer called it as ‘gas allowance’. It felt so insulted in the journalist pat because, he don’t got their for that envelop but for the information that is needed, for the media practitioner to disseminate to the people.

“Balita lang ang kinukuha namin,” Solinap said, “If they give something, well, it is normal, you woyld be a hypocrite to refuse. You accept, but it does not mean that just because he gave you money, you will agree to what he says,”

“It is a matter of survival for journalists who are in outlets that don’t pays them enough,” says Romy Elusfa, Mindanao freelance journalist.

Government is the one who made the media corrupt, as they also corrupt from the funds of the public. Without their offers, money and gifts, journalist would not received any from them, the sources. Maybe, journalist can received those money and gifts but, you’ll give it to a charity, like what other respondent of the study said.

Whether a media practitioner receives money or gift from the sources, he must write for the truth because, media serves for the public, who had a right to know the truth.

Posted/Published at Facebook as a requirement in Special Problem in Journalism course.

Posted/ Published last July 16, 2012.

Media Corruption

Corruption in Media

Rommel Ramos, a stringer of GMA- 7 and owner of a local radio station in Bulacan, can’t remember how he refused in his ‘kumpadres’ offer, to protect him from illegal videogame; video karera, a long time ago.

Asking him how much he needs then, telling his kumpadre that he cannot do anything nor help him, because he is not working for his interest but, for the public, who needs the truth, and only the truth, in a news facts that every media practitioner lends to them.

Corruption in the Philippines does not only exist in the officials and sectors of the government, but also in the line of journalism, the fourth state. 

It is undeniable that media practitioner does corruption while their in the work. But, issue goes with the damage to the profession it causes.

Author of this report interviewed Bulakenyo journalist, who had a knowledge and witness corruption in media, to know how does this matter exists in the province and its status.

Corruption knowledge and dealing with it

“Na-experience ko ‘yung corruption sa media but, I’m on the other side. Kumbaga, ako ‘yung nasa likod nung corruption, noong nagtatrabaho ako as PR  officer sa isang PR office,” Romulo Maturingan, who currently working as junior news desk at GMA 7, said.

In fact, he also stated in an interview that, during the time as he is working as a PR officer, he encountered several media practitioner, who’s looking to him just to get the envelops, whenever they set a press conference.

“Nung hindi nila alam na may envelop, wala silang pakialam [on Press Release], pero nung nalaman nilang may pakialam na sila sa press Release,” he added.

Additionally, Rommel Ramos, streamer of GMA 7 and owner of Radyo Bulacan 90.3, a local radio station in the province, said that media corruption is a broad topic to talked to. But, he said that this corruption occurs because of the small and minimize value of salary in media industry, which mostly encountered by the small newspaper and radio station. 

“Payoffs, sa pagkakaalam ko, yan yung coverage with budget. Samantalang may payroll naman ang payola sa sugal, tumatanggap ng pera mula sa mga illegal na sugalan,” as he define some types of media corruption as he mention does.

On the other hand, Maria ‘Ka Nene’ Bundoc-Ocampo, the publisher and Editor in Chief of Punla (Pulso ng Madla), a local newspaper that circulates in Bulacan, shares how she deal with the media corruption.

“Tinitingnan kong mabuti if it is given in good will. Kung alam ko na panunuhol, hindi ko tatanggapin,” she said, “Pero sa pag-cocover, mayroon naman kasi nagbibigay talaga, tinatawag nilang transportation allowance,”

Also, according to her, corruption in media was not only involving money and give aways but, also cheating in publishing article. She also mentioned that when a newspaper copied an article without the permission of the writer, it is also a corruption, because it has the copyright.

“Kasi, may ilang newspaper na kumukuha ng istorya at aalisin lang ang by line at papalitan ng iba,”

Aside to that, she also mentioned that the media corruption starts with the generosity of Imelda Marcos, the wife of former President Ferdinand Marcos, during the Martial law period.

“Kasi kapag natuwa siya sa media, kahit na anong suot niya, halimbawa yung relo, huhubarin niya ‘yun at iaabot,” she said.

Ethics

Article 356 of Revised Penal Code entitled ‘Threatening to publish and offer to present such publication for compensation’ is known for journalism as extortion, in which a writer blackmailed a person for him to earn money, and an act of corruption.

“[yung act na] pag ‘di ka nagbigay [ng pera] ilalabas ko ‘to,” as Maturingan illustratate it.

Meanwhile, Ka Nene said that she knew a lot of corrupt media personality here in the province. Indeed, she encountered a journalist, who talked to her and want to used her newspaper to collect money from the government official.

“Marami [corrupt media personality] pero unethical na sabihin. Mayroon nga d’yan 20 pesos lang ang pinag-aagawan pa,” Ramos said, as he prove that he knew corrupt media practitioner, “Mayroon pa nga, pitong tao, naghati-hati sa 500,”

Aside to that, journalist also stated the factors why did journalist do this type of crime.

“Dahil sa pangangailangan at tempting din kasi e,” the junior desk officer.

Additionally, Ramos viewed that the journalist lifestyle is the most thing that contributes to professionals to do corruption.

For an  instance, if an individual earns 15, 000 pesos in a month, his lifestyle must limit up to that cost. And if an individual go beyond that, there is no source to find more money, and if he reached that point, they depend on those illegal things to gain and have extra money.

However, he emphasize that whenever an individual did this acts the journalism code of ethics is not affected but, it affects the identity and dignity of the one who did this.

Manila-based vs. Provincial-based journalistWorking for a newspaper is not an easy job, indeed, this job is the hardest because, journalist serves the public.

As the journalist-educator, Maturingan, compared how corruption works in Manila and provincial based journalist, he said that the media in Manila receives more money than provincial-based but, provincial journalist are more prone in corruption.

But, this several media men, viewed only one solution to solve this corruption problem and that is to be more professional and discipline in line to the work.

“Kasi kung [responsible] media ka, alam mo kung ano ang tama at mali at kung kailan nasasangkalan ‘yung trabaho mo,” Maturingan said.

Moreover, before they ended their interview, they left some pieces of advice to the next generation of media practitioner on how to avoid this corruption.

“Lead to the principle, kung ano ang dapat na role ng reporter. Kumbaga nandito ka to inform, to entertain and to educate, ganun nalang. Kaya namang gampanan ‘yun without considering ‘yung nasa paligid mo,” he said.

It is so obvious that every journalist had their own views with regards to corruption; one says that it’s a God’s gift; the other one says that it depends on upon individual conscience and the other two were believes that’s whenever you receive money, its corruption. 

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Posted/Published at Facebook as a requirement in Special Problem of Journalism course.

Posted last July 08, 2012.

BAHA: Kaparaanan ng nasalanta para sa kanilang Kaligtasan

• Maghapo’t magdamag na nakababad sa tubig baha ang mga taga-Hagonoy at Calumpit, dulot ng pagsasalubong ng pinakawalang tubig mula sa mga dam at tubig baha na mula sa nasirang irrigation dam sa San Miguel.

  
  

  Malalim na ang tubig sa peligrong maaring maidulot ng bagyong nanalanta sa lalawigan ng Bulacan.

  Kakulangan sa malinis na tubig, rasyon ng pagkain at maging sa kuryente ang hinarap ng karamihan upang mairaos ang pang-araw-araw ang kalam ng tiyan ng nananalanta ang bagyo.

  
  

  Humigit kumulang sa dalawang lingo ang inabopt ng pamemerwisyo ng na idulot ng bagyo. Simula ng magbabaybay si Pedring noong ika-27 ng Setyembre at dumating si Queil sa teritoryo ng Pilipinas ay lalong lumalala ang hirap na naranasan ng mga nasalanta ng biglaang pagbaha.

  
  

  Hagupit ng Kalamidad

  “’di ko ineexpext na ganun kataas ‘yung baha, nagpatambak na kasi kami dati. ‘Yung ordinaryong high-tide eh hindi naman inaabot, usually hanggang tuhod na pinakamataas na baha sa amin,” ani ni Cenon Salcedo Jr., residente ng Sto. Rosario Hagonoy, Bulacan; nasalanta ng malawakang pagbaha.

  
  

  Hindi subok akalain ng mga mamamayan ng Hagonoy na aabot nglagpas tao, humigit kumulang anim na talampakan, ang magiging lalim ng tubig baha sa kanilang lugar. Ito ay dahil sa pag-aakalang hindi ito hahantong sa katulad na pangyayari.

  
  

  Karaniwan lamang sa bayang ito ang pagbaha. Kadalasang umaabot mula binti hanggang bewang, dalawa hanggang tatlong talampakan, ang tubig baha sanhi ng high tide at pag-ulan.

  
  

  Ngunit, ang pagsasalubong ng tubig baha mula sa nasirang irrigation dam at pinakawalang tubig ng mga dam ang naging dahilan kung bakit nalubog at tila naging karagatan ang naturang bayan.

  
  

  Bayanihan para sa kaligtasan

  Karamihan sa mga nasalanta ay hindi handa sa naganap na pagbulusok ng baha. Hindi lahat ng residente ay nakapagimbak ng pagkain para sa mga gayong pagkakataon.

  
  

  “Halos naubos ang paninda ng tita ko sa tindahan nila. Dahil doon kami kumukuha ng pagkain habang bumabagyo,” ani Salcedo.

  
  

  Sa katagalan ng paghupa ng baha, marami sa mga residente ang naubusan ng mga kakailanganin sa araw-araw. Sa loob ng humigit kumulang na dalawang lingo ng pagkalubog ay maraming mga taga-Hagonoy ang nauhaw.

  
  

  Sa katunayan, ayon sa kuwento ni Glecy Jose, may kakilalang naepektuhan ng pagbaha, ay nagkatay ng alagang manak na tagalong ang tatlong pamilya nagsama-sama sa iisang bahay, kasama si Evelyn Yumbao na may edad na edad 59, sa Pandakot Hagonoy, Bulacan at naghati-hati sa mga bitbit na pagkain ng bawat pamilya upang makaraos sa pananalanta ng bagyo at baha.

  
  

  “Kulang sa malinis na tubig, ‘yun ‘yung kailangang kailangan nila,” pagpapaliwanag ni Reineir Estrella, staff sa Red Cross of the Philippines- Bulacan Chapter.

  
  

  Samantala, suwerteng nakagawa ng paraan ang ilan upang mapatid ang kani-kanilang uhaw.

  “Nakapag-ipon naman ng tubig sa gripo, pinakukuluan lang para malinis,” ani muli ni Salcedo.

  
  

  At karamihan naman ay nagtitipid sa pagkonsumo ng tubig nang hindi sila maubusan ng rasyon sa kanilang tinutuluyan.

  
  

  Tulong at Aksyon

  Agad-agad namang umaksyon ang pamahalaan upang matulungan ang mga kababayang nasalanta ng bagyo. May ilan ding personalidad, organization at institusyon ang nag-abot ng kamay para sa mga nasalanta.

  
  

  Kahit na ligtas na ang bawat residente ay umaasa pa din silang makakagawa ngparaan ang gobyerno upang maibsan ang pag-ulit ng nasabing pagbaha.

  
  

  At hanggang sa kasalukuyan, ay positibo namang hinaharap ng mga ito ang bagong kinabukasan at unti-uniting bumabangon sa pagkakadama mua sa pagkasalanta.
• Posted at BAJ-3 FEATURE WRITING, facebook group, last October 18, 2011 at 9:50am