Canadian embassy, hold forum on responsible media

CEBU, Philippines - The Embassy of Canada, in partnership with the University of San Jose - Recoletos, held last Friday a forum on responsible media at the Center of Performing Arts.

H. E. Christopher Thornley, Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, said the responsibility of media is to serve as a watchdog of society.

"Canada recognizes the Filipino journalists for their exemplary contribution to the society by exerting great efforts on excellent reporting," Thornley said.

He also thanked USJ-R for the enthusiasm in coming up with a productive session in promoting responsible media.

Rev. Fr. Edwin Macmac, OAR, Vice-President for Academics expressed gratitude to the ambassador and to the media practitioners in behalf of USJ-R.

"Media, therefore, can be a powerful weapon to build a nation or to destroy lives. We hope that the Philippines and the Church could be as passionate in their quest for truth and justice," Fr. Macmac said.

The media forum was also attended by officers of the Embassy of Canada and communication students from various universities in Cebu.

With the theme "The Messenger as Victim and Shooter: From Maguindanao to Manila - the unusual phenomenon of the role of media in the Philippines," media practitioners shared their experiences with communication major students.

Ed Lingao of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism discussed how reporters can be victims and shooters on their own news reports.

He also said the public is interested in entertainment and crimes which drive the national and regional media to present more reports on such issues to get more ratings.

He said the society is wrong to think that journalists are stars or celebrities.

The 2010 Marshall McLuhan Prize Winner also mentioned comprehensive facts on the Maguindanao massacre, the Ampatuan clan, the hostage-taking in the Quirino Grandstand, and the role played by the media during such times.

"This is the unspoken rule of broadcasters which actually happened during the hostage-taking. If you get an exclusive interview with a primary source, bakuran na. That means put a fence around him so that the competition could not get through," Lingao said.

However, local media men who served as reactors during the forum responded to Lingao's statements.

"Mediamen in Cebu are more professional than in other places," dyHp station manager Ruphil Bañoc said.

He said Cebu media has been actively abiding with the regulations of the Cebu City Press Council and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas - Cebu Chapter.

Ike Durano of dyRF also emphasized the principal role of media which is to give information to the public saying, "We are of the impression that the media is a reflection of society," he said.

However, dyAB station manager and TV news anchor Leo Lastimosa expressed his appreciation to the points cited by Lingao.

"I agree with him. It is the painful truth. The news needs revenues. But you can be a responsible broadcaster and earn revenues as well," Lastimosa said.

But gatekeepers like CCPC, Lastimosa added, can intervene with irresponsible media personalities and can ostracize abusive media outlets.

"A media practitioner can help trivialize news or he can restore its integrity," he said. — THE FREEMAN