Cebu media more "professional"

CEBU, Philippines – Members of the Cebu media may be "much better" in terms of professionalism compared to their counterparts in other parts of the country but it also has its own share of corruption.

In a documentary produced by the Cebu Citizens Press Council, which was shown to Mass Communication students during a forum at the University of the Philippines yesterday, news sources described the Cebu media as more professional than its counterparts in the other parts of the country.

However, it is not free from corruption. During the three-hour forum, CPPC showed to the students the documentary where in media corruption in Cebu was discussed.

Some members of the media shared their experiences about media corruption. Some reporters admitted that there are politicians, through their aides, give envelopes with cash inside to reporters after press conferences.

Other reporters said some news sources bribe the media by offering free travels and hotel accommodation to certain places of the country or even abroad in the guise of educational tours while others treat the media with food.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia admitted giving gift certificates to Capitol reporters during Christmas but said the reporters are not asking money in exchange for their news.

TV broadcaster, however, said that accepting gift certificates from a news source is no different from accepting cash because these can be used to buy something.

A radio announcer said the failure of the media-outlet management to give enough salaries to their reporters might be one of the reasons why some members of the media succumb to bribery.

Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago in the same documentary said that good and respectable reporters shall refrain from accepting bribes even if their salaries are not so big.

Public relations practitioner Jonji Gonzalez said, Cebu media are "much better" compared to their counterparts in other places of the country.

Gonzales said asking solicitation for program support and advertisement is not considered corruption.

During the open forum some students asked the forum organizers whether it is possible for media leaders to conduct lifestyle checks to their personnel to identify the corrupt media practitioners.

Karlon Rama, who co-produced the documentary, said it is up to the heads of the different media outfits to implement it.

Sunstar editor Cherry Ann Lim explained that several members of the media have a business of their own aside from being in the industry.

Tri-media personality Bobby Nalzaro also said "Walay malilong ug walay matago kon ang mga mediamen malambigit og corruption."  (FREEMAN)