In a free wheeling democracy like ours with the freest press perhaps in the world, the negative effect of this awful and distressing practice far outweighs the positive. A recent text message circulated as a joke regarding the composition of our Senate did not appear funny anymore because its descriptions of the characters occupying that supposedly august chamber are sadly true. These "characters" became "lawmakers" not because of their craftmanship in legislation but because of their celebrity status courtesy of mass media. A status good enough as a springboard even to the highest public office because our election has been reduced to a popularity contest.
If the press does not stop this practice or rethink their policies about newsworthy items, other notorious but famous characters may soon join our government. It is not far fetched that Trillanes or any of the Oakwood five may find themselves in the same halls of the Senate together with their "kuya" Gringo Honasan, the erstwhile "inaccessible" principal suspect in the recent coup, and their fellow "mistah" Ping Lacson who is currently on a mudslinging spree under the guise of fighting corruption. Obviously these two PMAers in the Senate are on the offensive so they can cry political persecution if the pending criminal cases against them are finally pursued.And the press is accomodating them with gusto.
The more worrisome part is media’s undue and excessive attention on a witness who is "mahusay" only when it comes to ratting on his benefactors but later on regretting what he has declared under oath.The media hype on a two-timer easily prone to engaging in double speak is utterly uncalled for. A person easily stricken with fear because of what he has said, cannot be telling the truth.His original statement or subsequent retraction is totally unreliable. None of them can be the source of truth.Media should not lionize him.
Most revolting and shocking is the press coverage of this "mahusay" na witness who suddenly felt pious and decided to hear mass.His late arrival during the most solemn part of the Holy Mass at the UP Parish Church did not deter the press people from disrupting the sacred proceedings and creating a commotion inside the church with their flash bulbs, klieg lights and cameras clicking and grinding as if the subject of their coverage is more important than the Mass then going on.The late arrival of this new celebrity of a janitor riding in a tinted and air conditioned vehicle already caused the churchgoers to be distracted with unholy thoughts.But the actions of press people were more sacrilegeous in the eyes and the minds of those who went there to pray and left home sad and offended because of their harrowing experience.That was truly a day of shame for our media.
Our present distressing and miserable situation is, therefore, mainly due to our media.Most of the present crop of politicians elected to government positions are mere creations of mass media; from the notorious and dishonourable to the mediocre and incapable. The political derelicts of the past rapacious martial law regime, Enrile and Tatad, who were its chief executor and spokesman still cause infuriating ripples in the political stream as to merit invitations to a useless political summit called for the second time.Tatad was even talking about a "negotiated settlement" for them to desist in their destabilization moves as if the exercise of power in this country could be subject of negotiation and settlement among politicians of their ilks.They spout all this trash with derision because media still give them too much importance and attention.
To achieve the much needed change in our country, reforms should start in our media. Their policies should be geared towards positive news aimed at nation building rather than negative sensational, revenue-making news that erodes national spirit and hinders national progress.
E-mail josesison@edsamail.com.ph