The exchanges of bad words, denigration and mudslinging in the media relative to the forthcoming election are far from being commendable. Some personalities who are expected to be the exemplars of Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) on account of their educational attainment and official status are the ones spreading lies and giving much premium to fake news. It appears that freedom of the press and of expression enshrined in our Constitution are the most abused ‘freedom’.
Just look at how the media practitioners in the mainstream media spin their news report to catch the attention of the public. And notice how they magnify trivial issues to gain ratings. Some of them have acquired the penchant of repeatedly putting on air topics that has long been neglected and abandoned while some newsworthy subjects are simply relegated to the background and leaving it there to die a natural death.
Media has a very strong influence to the mind of the people hence, they must exercise due diligence in spreading news. When writing, journalists must at all times observe ethical standards by sticking to the facts and not editorializing unlike those in the mainstream media who inject their personal opinions into the news.
I learned from all the seminars-workshops I attended back then sponsored by Philippine Press Institute (PPI) in cooperation with John Hopkins University (JHU) that news writing and feature writing are two different animals ergo, they must not be fused. Anyway, I guess the norm today in writing is averse to the standards of yesterday or shall I say, yesteryears.
Today, few writers do not give much attention to grammar, punctuations, choice of words, subject-verb agreement and other basic tenets in writing. But this is not the issue. Flaws in writing are forgivable as long as it bears the truth and carries authentic facts and figures. What is unacceptable are “fake news” repeatedly aired on TV and on the radio purposely to make it appear genuine. “Whoever controls the media, controls the mind”, said Jim Morrison. If the news or any topic being aired and written are false and the people simply listen without resorting to critical thinking, chances are, they will be fooled.
As the election period is nearing, the bias mainstream media will go full-blast to sanitize candidates of their choice while throwing stones and muds to competitors. We need not worry because the social media is very active and aware of what is actually happening around. Quoting Jon Ronson, “The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people.”
Melinda Bagsic Evangelista
I was born to write and I believe that’s my calling. I love writing because it brings me to the realm exclusively of mine. It is also my opinion that “immortality” can be achieved not by searching for the Holy Grail and drinking from it but by living your life worth-writing or writing something worth-reading. Since I cannot promise you a life worth-writing, I keep myself busy writing something worth-reading. I am thankful to God for giving me the talent and skill to see life in different perspectives not seen by many and the courage to share it to my readers. This first ever Tutubi Digital News Magazine is a perfect avenue to bring you the many facets of life that you can ponder upon in this time of the pandemic. Enjoy reading all the articles.
