Comments on: “Restraint” and the average Pinoy schmoe

By: Call For Media Restraint Subjective and Unethical | Filipino Voices

Call For Media Restraint Subjective and Unethical | Filipino Voices — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:03:46 +0000

[...] following is an email response from Gil H. A. Santos to benign0’s “Restraint” And The Average Pinoy Schmoe. Mr. Santos served as bureau chief for AP and Dow Jones, correspondent for Time and Life magazines [...]

By: Back to what’s important | Filipino Voices

Back to what’s important | Filipino Voices — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:53:38 +0000

[...] thank Ding for his thoughtful note — a true call for restraint and perspective in these crazy times. On that matter, I would [...]

By: Ding G. Gagelonia

Ding G. Gagelonia — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 07:28:38 +0000

Revisiting this post, benign0, yours is one insightful perspective that should be read and reread by Filipino media professionals who oftentimes get swept in the moment… in the heat of heart-pounding and even byline-making ‘breaking news’ that make, or break careers, where their stand-up piece-to-cameras (stand-uppers) as they are called in TV news can become Take 1 in the day’s prime time news, or simply be run with natural sound on the say so of the harassed but all-powerful news producer if the program line-up of stories is tight or if the evening’s ad load considerably limits the available air time.

It also also is true that journalists can, and do, become full of themselves and need to be restrained and stay focused on the issue.

Reality checks needed all around by everyone, every time.

By: rovheel

rovheel — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:12:33 +0000

“No journalist will choose to die for any news maker” I pray for the safety arrival of the team.

By: J

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:08:51 +0000

benign0: the news black-out of ABSCBN indeed sends a message that Drilon and company are different bethey are prominent and powerful personalities. I find this sad. And I do believe we shuld focus on this issue as well.

But still, I pray for her and her crew’s safety.

By: benign0

benign0 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:44:31 +0000

Thanks Nick. No problem with the current "focus" here in FV. Though this is precisely the point I make and the question I just have to ask: Why the focus on Ces Drilon? Ordinary Pinoys get kidnapped everyday. Murder and kidnapping cases involving hundreds if not thousands of ordinary Pinoys get buried in paperwork for YEARS. Ordinary Pinoys disappear without a trace everyday. Their families grieve in relative silence and obscurity and wait patiently with hardly an option but to trust a system -- and a society -- that has a vast track record of failing its own people. I wonder though... When the police or army get around to rescuing her, will Ces be waving that same fist she waved at them at the Manila Pen? ;)

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:07:55 +0000

Excellent commentary Benign0, one that needs to be addressed.. ABS-CBN has already explained the news blackout, and we’ll see if they heed the same for future, non-ABS-CBN workers..

As for now, CES Drilon and the two other individuals should be our focus.. let’s hope for their safety.

By: Blackout « smoke

Blackout « smoke — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:22:11 +0000

[...] guess benign0 beat me to it. Reacting to abs-cbn’s news blackout of the Ces Drilon abduction, I mean. [...]

By: Pochero

Pochero — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:22:27 +0000

Do we get the government we deserve, and do we get the type of media we deserve? Media serves up some lamentable content because that is what sells.

By: Ding G. Gagelonia

Ding G. Gagelonia — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:08:49 +0000

I would have wanted to disagree but our colleague, if this writer may be allowed to use the term,is entire correct in observing how Philippine news media practitioners behave as if they “have an entitlement” to information, without heed to authorities and the right to privacy of both victims, and may I say suspects, particularly those promotion-conscious government functionaries who parade newly arrested ‘usual suspect’ in sensational police operations, the most recent being those against the demons responsible for the RCBC robbery-massacre.

This writer was in the mainstream for some 30 years and witnessed all the excesses, which sadly continue till today.

Philippine news media does need to clean up its act.

But may I act the the readers and viewers, armed with their TV remote controls, mouses, and money for hard copy editions, do have the final say, and “should vote with their feet,” on a manner of speaking.

Media can only abuse if the public allows those who “are full of themselves,” and think they are part of what is news, to get away with it.