Media… I wish…
May 22, 2005 | 12:00am
Ascension Sunday is also World Communications Day. In churches throughout the country, Masses featured introductory rites quoting Pope John Paul II: "That men and women of the media play their part in breaking down the dividing walls of hostility in our world – walls that separate people and nations from one another, feeding misunderstanding and mistrust. May they use the resources at their disposal to strengthen the bonds of friendship and love, that clearly signal the onset of the Kingdom of God here on earth."
The role of the media has been alternately extolled, chastised and pilloried, attacked and defended. Some say the media have not been responsible enough. Others say they are assuming too much responsibility. Still others say that they cause panic, sometimes depression, at times helplessness.
Many maintain that media have become too selective in the issues they tackle and influence, and sometimes too brazen and indiscriminate. They deal in veiled innuendoes and allow themselves to become attack dogs for vested interests, and speculations are rife that this may have caused some of the violence brought upon media practitioners.
The media have been criticized at times for being too reader-, viewer-, and ratings-oriented, because ratings mean revenues. Ano ba talaga?
Today, as issues and crises seem to buffet the very core of our country, many rely on the media to lead the way in enlightening the populace by way of information dissemination.
Because of this, I wish media would find a way to ensure that they lead us to unity, not divisiveness; peace, not discord; optimism, not despair. I am certain that there must be something good happening somewhere. And while bad news sells better than good, maybe, just maybe, media can find a way to make good news more saleable.
Isn’t it ironic that in the past, it was always an honor to be featured in the media? We would clip our pictures and keep them. Now it is better not to be featured. I giggle every time I remember my parents’ remark that pictures in the newspapers today will be tomorrow’s glass cleaners.
And what about the penchant for today’s media for using unflattering photos of the people they feature?
Media should bring issues to the people, issues that have an impact in our lives. Which is why information on these issues must be accurate and factual. Inaccurate, doubtful and, worse, non-existent data make for misinformation, and worse, misinformation, which only serves to deceive, confuse and mislead people.
Proper information from the media will empower people to make the right choice. It will empower people to help make this country work and move again. But this can only happen if media are perceived to be free from influence or pressure. Like Lady Justice, media should be blindfolded against bias and prejudice.
A responsible media will always be a relevant force in pursuing the greatest good for the greatest number. A responsible media is the ideal fulcrum in the balancing of opinion. And because opinion triggers action, then we can perhaps rightfully dream of a better life ahead.
Shouldn’t the media be sensible then? Considering that one of their reasons for being is to ferret out and present the pros and cons of a story, balance issues and more importantly, bring proper focus to their presentation, I believe that the media should have the responsibility of rationality and temperance.
On the other hand, the chief role of the media is to inform. Media practitioners are the specialists in areas that they choose to inform us about. An economic issue is Greek to a police reporter in the same manner that matters of fabric and silhouette would be to a political reporter.
For all the public has gone through, media is forever here to stay. With all that’s written, desperation seems to be the emotion of choice for us Filipinos. The blaring radios that sell phony investments, the television that portrays wars, crime and discontent – they do nothing positive but simply drive away trust.
Certainly, for all the media’s perceived excesses or inadequacies, there are still respected personalities who have done their roles credibly. I am aware that there are dedicated men and women in the media whom I admire for their level-headedness and knowledge. I believe, though, that there are really some who, at the very least, must have a sense of nationhood.
The barrage of bad news in the tri-media saddens me. Sure, I must concede that our country is going through rough patches, but media can take more positive roles in getting the country going again.
I know that some irresponsible reporting has injured certain people. I remember the press as capable of rendering an apology. You would be surprised, but I asked for it once, and got a full-page ad. We don’t really want to fill our hearts with hate as long as we live. Does that go both ways? I wonder.
Media play an important and powerful role in society. But as they exercise this power, they must remember that we live in one country. If it sinks, we all sink with it.
Again, to return to Pope John Paul: "That communicators may help break down the walls of hostility separating peoples and nations from one another, and use the resources at their disposal to strengthen the bonds of friendship and love that clearly signal the onset of the Kingdom of God here on earth."
The role of the media has been alternately extolled, chastised and pilloried, attacked and defended. Some say the media have not been responsible enough. Others say they are assuming too much responsibility. Still others say that they cause panic, sometimes depression, at times helplessness.
Many maintain that media have become too selective in the issues they tackle and influence, and sometimes too brazen and indiscriminate. They deal in veiled innuendoes and allow themselves to become attack dogs for vested interests, and speculations are rife that this may have caused some of the violence brought upon media practitioners.
The media have been criticized at times for being too reader-, viewer-, and ratings-oriented, because ratings mean revenues. Ano ba talaga?
Today, as issues and crises seem to buffet the very core of our country, many rely on the media to lead the way in enlightening the populace by way of information dissemination.
Because of this, I wish media would find a way to ensure that they lead us to unity, not divisiveness; peace, not discord; optimism, not despair. I am certain that there must be something good happening somewhere. And while bad news sells better than good, maybe, just maybe, media can find a way to make good news more saleable.
Isn’t it ironic that in the past, it was always an honor to be featured in the media? We would clip our pictures and keep them. Now it is better not to be featured. I giggle every time I remember my parents’ remark that pictures in the newspapers today will be tomorrow’s glass cleaners.
And what about the penchant for today’s media for using unflattering photos of the people they feature?
Media should bring issues to the people, issues that have an impact in our lives. Which is why information on these issues must be accurate and factual. Inaccurate, doubtful and, worse, non-existent data make for misinformation, and worse, misinformation, which only serves to deceive, confuse and mislead people.
Proper information from the media will empower people to make the right choice. It will empower people to help make this country work and move again. But this can only happen if media are perceived to be free from influence or pressure. Like Lady Justice, media should be blindfolded against bias and prejudice.
A responsible media will always be a relevant force in pursuing the greatest good for the greatest number. A responsible media is the ideal fulcrum in the balancing of opinion. And because opinion triggers action, then we can perhaps rightfully dream of a better life ahead.
On the other hand, the chief role of the media is to inform. Media practitioners are the specialists in areas that they choose to inform us about. An economic issue is Greek to a police reporter in the same manner that matters of fabric and silhouette would be to a political reporter.
For all the public has gone through, media is forever here to stay. With all that’s written, desperation seems to be the emotion of choice for us Filipinos. The blaring radios that sell phony investments, the television that portrays wars, crime and discontent – they do nothing positive but simply drive away trust.
Certainly, for all the media’s perceived excesses or inadequacies, there are still respected personalities who have done their roles credibly. I am aware that there are dedicated men and women in the media whom I admire for their level-headedness and knowledge. I believe, though, that there are really some who, at the very least, must have a sense of nationhood.
The barrage of bad news in the tri-media saddens me. Sure, I must concede that our country is going through rough patches, but media can take more positive roles in getting the country going again.
I know that some irresponsible reporting has injured certain people. I remember the press as capable of rendering an apology. You would be surprised, but I asked for it once, and got a full-page ad. We don’t really want to fill our hearts with hate as long as we live. Does that go both ways? I wonder.
Media play an important and powerful role in society. But as they exercise this power, they must remember that we live in one country. If it sinks, we all sink with it.
Again, to return to Pope John Paul: "That communicators may help break down the walls of hostility separating peoples and nations from one another, and use the resources at their disposal to strengthen the bonds of friendship and love that clearly signal the onset of the Kingdom of God here on earth."
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