Most journalists slain in line of duty had no formal training — study

A recent study released by the Center for Media, Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) showed that most journalists who were killed in the line of duty had no formal training in mass media.

Although a majority of the slain journalists are college graduates, few had formal training in journalism or mass communication, the CMFR said.

The same study showed that 62 percent of the slain journalists are graduates of other courses, 25 percent finished high school and 13 percent had no record of any educational attainment.

CMFR executive director Melinda Quiros-de Jesus said it is alarming that some journalists lack any training in media ethics, particularly to guide them in covering sensitive issues.

"Ethics training will help you cover your beats — even the most difficult to cover, like elections and politics," De Jesus pointed out.

She also said publishers and network firms should also take full responsibility in training their reporters on journalistic ethics.

"Journalists are more vulnerable if the institution is weak," she stressed.

De Jesus said media practitioners should develop accuracy and prudence instead of being assertive and abusive of their power in the media.

The CMFR study revealed that since 1986, the number of slain Filipino journalists had reached 54.

De Jesus added that many of the slain journalists might have been careless and did not think of securing themselves against threats to their lives. She did not cite specifics to back this assertion, however.