FOS 102: Political Thought The Need of Vigilant People in Serving and Enacting the Role and the

Purpose of the Press Media - Amidst its Problems, Issues, and Threats in Democracy
By Alexander John M Dy

The Philippine media is seen today as [somehow] biased and sensational due to its (Philippine media) issues and problems faced that can be rooted ever since the democratic recovery after the Marcos Regime. These issues and problems include: the abused use of press as a business enterprise and other personal interests of the proprietors, undaunted violations of libel law, and the massive fabricated media coverage due to threats and bribery by government officials and other people in power. However, such faults, issues and problems faced by the press should not discourage and stop people from exposing and announcing the injustices and unfair practices of our representatives. Hence the need for vigilant people to fearlessly enact and serve the role and purpose of media in giving people access to information. This is because the media (press) as an essential element towards maintaining the health of democracy vitally remains a special place in public life; thereby, being strongly perceived as the much-needed watchdog of those in power, in government and in the establishment of the community. The Issues and Problems Faced by the Press A. The Press as a Business Enterprise

It is noteworthy to be taken into account that newspaper and press companies are owned by wealthy Filipino-Chinese and Spanish-Filipino families. Among these include the Gokongweis owning the Manila Times, Yuchengcos Manila Standard, Belmonte Philippine Star, Lopez The Manila Chronicle, and other wealthy well-known families. These people have used newspapers, some to a greater degree than other, to defend their political allies or otherwise advance their business concerns (Coronel, 1999). Thus, [i]n many cases, newspapers were not used to serve its purpose of informing the public about government and officials and agencies regulating business, instead, they (newspapers) were utilised by their owner[s] to wage political and business battles (Quintos de Jesus, 1999). One notable instance was in August and September 1996 when the Manila Standard questioned by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) the award-winning of the contract for port services to the Hong Kong Company Hutchison Ports Phils. Inc. One of the Standards owners, the Razon family who runs the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), had lost the bid. The paper campaigned for reconsideration and other dailies reported on the controversy. This is because that the media brouhaha led by the Standard, President Ramos ordered the bidding rescinded (Coronel, 1999, p. 6). This is just one of the cases that illustrate how press proprietors have abused their powers, setting aside the virtues and purpose of journalism by using opinion and news pages of their papers to campaign for their business interests. B. The Media Undauntedly Violating Libel Laws

The Philippine media operate under one of the laxest systems of state supervision in Asia, there is no government control of publishing and official censorship (Coronel, 1999, p. 4). Such lax system creates opportunities for media to violate the libel law. In February 1999, the Manila Standard headlined a story alleging that a mysterious BMW Pres. Estrada was being chauffeured around in belonged to Quezon Representative Suarez, who was then being investigated for dropping the presidents name to land fat government contracts. The story later turned out to be false: the vehicle was actually owned by businessman Manny Zamora, whose brother Ronnie is the executive secretary. But the damage had been done, or so Estrada thought, and the president who was already feeling besieged by a press he believed was unfairly critical was mad (Coronel, 1999, par. 1). The media should be very careful in broadcasting news. They (media) should be very discreet of the information they would inform the public. Because, once they have broadcasted the news, be it true or false, the damage is already done to the person/peoples identity and reputation they reported/exposed about. Thus, the media should

not just be aware of the libel law, but pay heed on to it; thereby, being very careful in every word they would speak of in informing the public. C. Fabricated Media Coverage due to Threats and Bribery by Government Officials and Other People in Power The Freedom of the Press is regarded as fundamental to individual rights. Thus, [g]iven the constitutional guarantee of a free press, it is very difficult for the government to intervene in the way newspapers are run, except by filing charges in court (Coronel, 1999, par. 9). However, officials have always found ways to protect their reputation and their interests. Officials therefore have tried to influence media coverage in other ways: by paying off journalists or by exerting pressure on press proprietors, many of whom operate a wide range of interlocking corporate concerns (Coronel, 1999, p. 9). Thus, though there are good journalists, they are corrupted by the proprietors (of press companies) mandating them to write in favour of their bosses political allies and other personal interests (i.e. business rivals, reputation, etc.). Press Freedom, a Key Agent of Democratisation amidst the Issues and Problems, Needing Vigilant People Silence is golden, they say. This adage has always been taught and admonished to us by our teachers and parents ever since our prattling years (De Leon, 1986). However, this idea is a misconception. If we adhere to this adage, its the same thing as saying we allow tyranny to happen in our country, just like the problems and issues faced by the Press, being owned and handled by the elite and wealthy families, that inhibits the true function of the role of print media in exposing the truth. Because of this scenario, many people then would choose and remain silent of their concerns on relaying true information and exposing to the public about the government's ill-practices of their power consistent violations of the constitution as if there is no rule of law for fear of being threatened of their life and jobs by the wealthy elites that monopolise power unconstitutionally. These people's freedom of speech is curtailed; hence, the crucial need for vigilant people in the Press industry to deliver true information to the public amidst threats and other issues; thereby, breaking the deafening silence that only tolerates and worsens injustices, unaccountability, and intransparency of the country's representatives. Such vigilance was seen in Raul S Manglapus, a prolific writer and journalist, who fearlessly dared exposing Marcos' abuse of power, violations of human rights, corruption, tyranny, and other unconstitutional practices during and after his (Marcos) dictatorial regime. He (Manglapus) once said silence is also what the dictator wants in the country he rules; for silence conceals, lulls, and debilitates thus keeping the citizens compliant to his will. From this notion comes the invaluable need for vigilant people like Manglapus to enact and serve the purpose and role of the press and media acting as the chief agents of democratisation in their crucial role in giving people access to information about their elected representatives duties in voicing out their concerns. People like Manglapus foster the spirit of the media/press acting as a two-edged sword in destroying the silence between the people and their representatives. As the media/press mirror the public on their representatives endeavours (i.e. how the peoples money or tax is spent, voicing out the peoples concerns), the media/press also act as an additional check and balance as it, at the same time, constantly remind the government authorities to their tasks and obligations for the people. This is because of the fact that the government seldom takes action unless there is media and public attention. Moreover, not only the press and the journalists, but every citizen needs to unveil a 'Manglapus' in him/her and actively participate in the society to foster the real spirit of the Freedom of the Press as regarded as fundamental to individual rights. Without the media, a free society and self-government would not be possible. As stated in Manglapuss A Pen for Democracy, A totalitarian government is naturally afraid of those articulate ones who dare to probe, question, and expose (De Leon, 1986). The history of the press as a watchdog has diminished its image due to its passiveness (the Press) for fear of being threatened (and other problems and issues faced by the Press discussed); thereby, needing to be reinforced by the spirit of vigilance for its role as a watchdog enshrining freedom as a cherished value. Whether validated by experience or not, public perception sees the press [and media] as the comforter of the afflicted, an institution that they may give justice by shining light on the truth that is hidden or by forcing it out through fair and open discussions. However, this perception is gradually faded by the external and internal posed by the Press (its owners affiated to politics) to those who would dare 'blow the whistle'. Thus, vigilant people like Manglapus need to rouse the Filipinos' perception and value of the press as a vehicle for the necessary exchange of ideas, for vigorous public

debate (Quintos de-Jesus, 1999); thereby, killing the silence that is in favour of unjust practices of the government. From the very essence of this notion simply implies that civil liberties and press freedom, and above all, human rights, can never be sacrificed for the sake of national security; hence, can never be restricted by the state. The curtailing of human rights (entailing press/media freedom, inalienable rights life, liberty, property, and so) is, therefore, non-negotiable in exchange to promises or proposals of economic prosperity, national security, etc. Thus, as citizens of this country, we should condemn the silence that means acquiescence to unfreedom and all its concomitant evils.

Conclusion Having stressed the importance of the freedom of media and presss role, being integral to human rights as stated in the Philippine Constitution, it is very evident how human freedom of the press/media, civil liberties, etc. should never be sacrificed in exchange for national security or economic prosperity. Thus, the need for vigilant Press people to rouse the public's vocal to counter the threats posed by the abusive wealthy and elite in their selfseeking interests. Moreover, the owners of press and media companies, although being business rivals that hold on to their roles as businessmen engaged in other issues of commerce and industry using the press to compete with another for economic opportunities and resources, still also made possible the growth of the press as an institution strong enough to influence the course of national affairs. Thus, amidst having encountered issues and problems in the past, the media and press freedom continue to perform their duties with the spirit of vigilance fearlessly exercised by Manglapus, in informing the people about their representatives performance, and also at same time, reminding the government officials in doing their tasks. On the contrary, although there is the freedom of the press/media as they perform their rightful duties in informing the public and reminding the government officials, it is still not a guarantee that the press serves the public as well expected. This is because of the [t]he persistent practice of envelopmental journalism has survived the changes in the government. There are no wholesale payoffs institutionalised by the government, as in the time of Marcos, but journals acknowledge that other versions of the practice remain rampant. Institutionalised efforts to investigate cases and to impose sanctions have fizzled out, with no satisfying results. (Quintos de-Jesus, 1999, p. 120). From this notion, simply implies that the strength of the media/press, although having its freedom, lies ultimately in the Filipino populace. As Melindas Quintos de-Jesus said, As has been pointed out time and time again, the media reflect the reality out there. The media hold up to what society is about, its virtues as well as its vices. The improvement of the press in the Philippines is related to the quality if its readers and in the willingness of the readers to be engaged as active consumers of the press and as engaged participants in the political process. I remember Filipinos used to say when Marcos went about unchallenged that the Filipino people get the government they deserve. The same scenario can be said of the press. In a democracy, there is no free lunch (Quintos de-Jesus, 1999, p. 121). __________________________________________________
References: Coronel, Sheila. (1999). From Loren To Marimar: The Philippine Media in the 1990s. Printed in i-magazine April June 1999. De Leon, Lilia Ramos. (1986). A Pen for Democracy: A Compilation of Raul S Manglapuss articles, speeches, letters A Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP), Washington Office. Quintos de Jesus, Melinda. (1999). The Philippines: The Problem with Freedom in News in Distress The Southeast Asian Menu in a Time of Crisis edited by Cecile C.A. Balgos. Quezon City: Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism. Simons, Lewis M. (1987). Worth Dying For. William Morrow and Company, Inc. New York, USA.