EDITORIAL - Press freedom in times of tragedy and uncertainty

Press freedom carries with it some very great responsibilities, of which the responsibility to bring out the truth is just one of them. Among the other great responsibilities that come with press freedom is the ability by the wielder of that freedom to contribute toward nation building.

Any destructive use of such tremendous power such as what the press possesses always runs the real risk of destroying the national fabric, thereby putting to naught whatever gains responsible use of press freedom may ensure for any country and its citizens.

This concern is being raised in light of the way the Yolanda tragedy is being covered. While it is true that the brunt of the greatest storm to make landfall in all of recorded history is being borne by the city of Tacloban, it appears there is inordinate focus there at the expense of other places that suffered as well.

When there is inordinate focus on a single subject such as Tacloban, the result is everything there is to report on the subject gets reported, warts and all -- like the looting and the armed clashes with rebels. Not that these things did not happen. But they tend to detract from the biggest story of all -- the tragedy.

To be sure, the looting and armed clashes provide a big kick to the story. But just like what the cook puts in the broth, they remain mere side ingredients in the pot. Besides, the possibility looms large that the distractions are being orchestrated by elements taking advantage of the situation, and using media to do so.

Can you imagine that there was even a television talk show that already dealt with the legal rights of the looter? Even if the looter may have rights, it is the most inappropriate time to talk about the subject, when there is looting going on. It is as if the talk show was encouraging the looters on.

It is, of course, understandable for the talk show host to feel smug and detached about the subject. She is, after all, sitting away safely in Manila, a personality who probably will never get to loot anything in her life.

That she had the right to bring up any subject on her show in the pursuit of press freedom is without question. The question is whether it was the right time to do so. Would her responsibility to search for truth be seriously impaired if she exercised a little prudence and waited a while?