News sources: Give prominence to good news

CEBU, Philippines – News sources lament why "bad news" are given prominence in most newspapers' reportage rather than "good news" that may help build the nation.

In a forum organized by the Cebu Citizens Press Council as part of the week-long celebration of Press Freedom Week, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes complained that often time newspapers are giving importance to crime stories.

Cortes said there should be balance reporting of issues, either bad news reports or positive stories. "Media has to play a role in nation building by also reporting good stories," the mayor said.

Media leaders in Cebu, however, explained that sometimes bad news is given prominence because of government's inaction.

The FREEMAN news editor Lucky Malicay explained that the media also give attention to good stories like what The FREEMAN did when it published the story about the Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City having been adjudged as best-friendly Local Government Units.

Aside from Malicay, the two other media panelists in yesterday's forum were Sun Star-Cebu editor-in-chief Isolde Amante and Cebu Daily News editor-in-chief Connie Fernandez.

Msgr. Achilles Dakay and Regional Trial Court Simeon Dumdum were also present in the forum.

Dumdum also complained about the reporters' lack of comprehension of court stories.

He cited an incident wherein a reported reportedly failed to explain in the news report how he came up with his decision.

Dumdum, however, admires the reporters covering the courts for being respectful.

Dakay supported Dumdum's claim, saying he also experienced some reporters interviewing him about Church-related issues but are not familiar with it.

Because of the reporters' unfamiliarity of the issue, they were not able to explain the issue thoroughly.

Court reporters suggested that judges should brief them on legal issues to help them understand their news reports better.

Fernandez said that some reporters also experienced problem with few news sources who promised to call back when the reporters wanted to interview them, but failed to comply with their promise.

She asked the news sources to be always accessible to media even after office hours and if possible provide the reporters with the needed documents to support their stories.

Dakay suggested that media leaders should assign reporters based on their grasp of the issue. (FREEMAN)