Media should bring out the good, the bad and the ugly

Never in the history of the Philippines will media play a more significant and active role than in the coming May elections. There’s no question media plays a vital role in giving information to the people, because information is knowledge — and knowledge is power. This is even more apparent now with the advent of new technology that has widened media’s reach, enabling it to spread the news more quickly. Giant networks are tying up with major publications and information technology firms for faster and better coverage of the polls on a nationwide scope. The Philippine STAR has partnered with ABS-CBN and Globe Telecommunications for "Halalan 2007: Boto Mo, I-Patrol Mo" to push for clean and fair elections. "Halalan 2007" is banking on the fact that most Filipinos have a cellphone, and they can literally take the power of the media into their own hands by sending messages to the communications platforms that would be provided. PDI, on the other hand, has tied up with GMA 7 and Smart/PLDT for "Eleksyon 2007," which promises comprehensive coverage of the polls.

Critical to the effort is PLDT with its wireless satellite and 3G capabilities that would enable people to send live video clips and real-time reports from the field. IT companies like STI and AMA will also use their technology to provide "quick counts" that would give people a fair idea of voting results in various areas in the country. The bottom line, however, is both "Halalan 2007" and "Eleksyon 2007" are hoping they could play a major role in empowering voters and making sure that the electoral process will be credible.

While media coverage in the past has been criticized as trivial and superficial, it nevertheless succeeded in showing whether candidates were competent enough to run this country or not. Fernando Poe Jr. was a good and decent man, but — God bless his soul — he wasn’t really cut out for politics. Many saw the other side of FPJ — his so-called "star complex" — the kind that is prevalent among celebrities in Hollywood, in Bollywood and even in Philippinewood. FPJ was so used to the attention and deference of his fans and showbiz colleagues that at one time during a campaign sortie, he lost his temper on TV reporter Sandra Aguinaldo whom he thought did not give him the proper respect he deserved, and was trying to upstage him. The incident — carried live on major television networks, with FPJ shoving the microphone at her — did not sit well with many people. One of them was our tailor, Robert Bonifacio, who in the beginning was so gung-ho about Ronnie but was so turned off by this display of temper that in the end, he and his wife voted for GMA. Maybe the Lord was good to FPJ, sparing him from the distress and agony the harsh world of politics would have given him.

Filipinos are intelligent, and even those belonging to the poorer sector of society are beginning to display wisdom in choosing candidates. Just because they come from the lower end of society doesn’t mean they don’t have good judgment and instincts. Take for instance Manny Pacquiao, regarded as a hero for his boxing prowess that has brought pride and honor to this country. But news that he wanted to enter politics created so much resistance even from his loyal fans that for the first time, the people’s champ was booed by thousands of spectators in a Cebu boxing ring when the announcer acknowledged his presence. The incident seems to have brought Manny to his senses, and it’s a good thing, for politics can destroy anyone who is not cut out for it.

The "Comelec Hour" which will be aired over ANC is a talk show that would provide a forum for senatorial candidates and allow voters to scrutinize them as they reveal their position on issues like Charter Change. Business groups like Philippines, Inc. and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry are planning this "great debate" which will focus on the economy and topics like taxes, energy, peace and order, labor, foreign investments and those that will directly affect the Philippine business climate. There’s been a lot of controversy surrounding it, however, with some parties accusing these business groups of being biased for the administration. But the bottom line is, if both sides will appear and the questions will be centered on key issues and will be aired live on television, carried nationwide by the broadcast media, this forum would definitely help Filipinos make informed choices for the May elections. Bringing the debate to Plaza Miranda or Divisoria is simply ridiculous, because the objective of any formal forum can only be achieved if it is conducted in an organized manner. Otherwise, all the candidates might as well appear on one stage and sing and dance before the crowd. That is, if they want to stage a zarzuela, not an intelligent debate.

In any case, people in this country are not stupid. Given the chance, they can see through a candidate, and will not easily be swayed by good looks or empty promises. There are a lot of candidates with ad campaigns claiming this and promising that. Media can balance this by coming out with in-depth stories about these candidates, focusing on issues and platforms rather than on personalities or their winnability based on surveys or opinion polls. More than ever, this is the major role media should play: Instead of playing the good — by always pontificating, the bad — by showing bias, or the ugly — by displaying arrogance of power — it should be the other way around and show the good, the bad and the ugly about each and every candidate.

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