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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Freedom of Depress By Antonio C. Abaya Written March 14, 2006 For the Standard Today, March 16 issue Even before the cameras were turned on and the interview began, I told Tony Velasquez on ANC last March 11, that I do not believe in �absolute freedom of the press� and that every freedom is circumscribed by corresponding responsibilities. During the actual interview, I expanded on this theme. There is no, and there never has been, �absolute freedom of the press� in Malaysia and Singapore. There is not even �relative freedom of the press� in Vietnam or China or North Korea, since in communist or socialist states, all media outlets are owned and operated by either the socialist state or the ruling Communist Party. In North Korea, all radio and TV sets available to the public are manufactured locally (in keeping with the national ideology of juiche or self-reliance), but with frequencies fixed permanently and exclusively to those of the state-owned radio and TV stations. That is one reason why North Korea (the model state for some Filipino communists) is often referred to as a �hermetically sealed� country. During their period of industrialization and modernization in the 1970s and 1980s, there was also no absolute or relative freedom of the press under military governments in South Korea (under Gen. Park Chung Hee), in Taiwan (under Gen. Chiang Ching-kuo), in Indonesia (under General Suharto) or in Thailand (under Gen. Prem Tinsulananda and his successors-generals). The fact that media in the above four countries now enjoy relative freedom, amidst economic prosperity and political liberalism, does not erase the fact that during their modernizing years, their media were muzzled by their military governments, undoubtedly to stifle criticism of the regimes and deny the �enemies of the state� a platform from which to air their grievances and advocacies. The Philippines is unique among these nine countries (North Korea excluded) that �absolute freedom of the press� and other political liberties are enshrined in both constitution and public consciousness even before modernization and economic prosperity were achieved. Our uniqueness stems from the fact that we are the only country among the ten (North Korea included) which had been an American colony, for 48 years and additional decades as its �neo-colony� (to use a favorite neo-Marxist phrase), and therefore an inheritor of American liberal political values. It can even be argued that our failure to modernize and achieve broad-based economic prosperity can partly be explained by the liberalism inherited from the Americans, which allowed even avowed �enemies of the state� to openly organize and mobilize against the state, no matter who the president was or is. (I wrote about this in several articles, including The Dilemma of Liberalism [Aug 01 2002], Good News versus Bad News [Oct. 25 2002], and Even Raul Roco Would Fail [Dec. 15 2002], all archived in www.tapatt.org.) Even the martial law under President Marcos was half-cocked, compared to the more draconian measures adopted by the other authoritarian leaders of the time. In the face of a full-blown Maoist insurgency, he allowed the KMU, Bayan and other fronts to organize and mobilize openly, knowing fully that these fronts were integral parts of the Maoist insurgency, (but allowing his military to assassinate some of the fronts� leaders). One can only speculate that Marcos wanted to leave behind a more liberal, benign image of himself than what he might have thought would be the legacies of Lee Kwan Yew or Park Chung Hee or Suharto or Mahathir, who dealt with their communists with more methodical thoroughness.. Unlike its successful neighbors (North Korea excluded) in the uphill climb to modernization, the Philippines put the cart of political liberalism before the horse of economic development � with the horse pushing, instead of pulling, the cart - which caused the erratic cart (already shaky with corrupt trapos, obstreperous communists, messianic soldiers and arrogant media screaming at each other) to repeatedly fall into the ravine, dragging the poor horse (named Geedeepee) down with it, again and again. This has been the story of our national life since 1972, all the way to 2006.. On the idea of limiting the freedom of media, this is totally repugnant to Filipino liberal values inherited from the US, but we must admit that it did not prevent South Korea or Taiwan or Singapore or Malaysia or Thailand or Indonesia or China or Vietnam, at various times in the past 30 or 40 years � including the present � from developing economically more rapidly than we did, directly benefiting a much wider swath of their populations than unrestricted media freedom ever did for ours. Because we have a liberal democratic tradition, which the other countries did not or do not have, it would be unwise and imprudent for government to impose media restrictions unilaterally, as they were/are in our more successful neighbors. I argued for a continuing dialogue between government and media to define the limits of this freedom. But �absolute freedom� is just another name for anarchy and is counter-productive to nation-building.. On the idea that government should be stripped, by legislation, of its constitutional prerogative to take over media in times of severe crises, I replied that I cannot think of any sovereign state, whether capitalist or communist, that ever agreed or would ever agree to such an emasculation of its powers. Until the 1950s, radio broadcasting (there was no TV yet then) was a government monopoly in all or most of the democratic countries of Western Europe, as well as in the countries that had been colonized by them (India, Indonesia, etc) or had been influenced by them (Japan, Thailand, etc). The idea of private commercial broadcasting is uniquely American. In the 1950s, such private radio stations broadcast from �pirate ships� anchored off the territorial waters of Europe, either in the North Sea or in the Mediterranean, enticing listeners with their �soft� programs of wall-to-wall pop music spiced with commercial adverts, away from the �hard� programs of government stations featuring serious discussions, government propaganda and stodgy classical music. That private commercial broadcasting is now a fact of life all over the world, except in the communist countries, is a measure of the pervasiveness of American influence, but even the US federal government would never agree to give up its eminent domain over private stations in times of severe crises such as 9/1l. Filipinos who want to strip the Philippine government of such eminent domain, in the name of �absolute freedom of the press,� have only a warped idea of what American freedom of the press is all about. On the events of Feb. 24 and 26, I agreed that TV coverage of the EDSA and Ayala rallies was neutral. But I argued, and I stand by my opinion, that in the Bonifacio standoff, there was an attempt to make it bigger than it really was. Finally, defining the limits of press freedom through dialogue should not be confined to political issues, but should include the social consequences of abominable contents, especially of radio and TV programs, even films. I cited the survey among young people conducted by McCann Erickson Philippines which found out that young people are influenced most, not by family or Church or school or government, but by media, especially TV and the movies. Not having watched a Filipino movie in 30 years, I cannot comment on their contents. But I watch the early evening newscasts on Ch. 2 and Ch. 7 three times a week, when I work out on my treadmill, specifically to find out what information the masa are getting from their TV sets. As I recounted in Good News versus Bad News in 2002, aside from the latest political buzz and the juiciest showbiz gossip on who is sleeping with whom, the masa get nothing but an endless video stream of bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan, pukpukan. The masa are not informed of the latest advances in science and technology, or the latest books being published, or the most recent discoveries in medicine and the environment, or the art exhibits and music concerts on tap. Only bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan, pukpukan. No wonder our masa are, or grow up to become, stupid and ignorant, and vote for stupid and ignorant candidates during elections. For a few weeks after that article was published, I noticed a deliberate attempt by both channels to pretty up their newscasts with such additions as Kay Gandang Balita. But the ratings and the need to outdo each other must have convinced the network executives that this was not the way to maintain or improve audience share. So it was back to bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan, pukpukan, up to the present. Tony Velasquez justified this on the grounds that these things do happen and should be reported in media. But to the exclusion of everything else that is more edifying and more humanizing? Come on, tocayo. We all know the squatters do not have toilets and they defecate directly onto the estero under their hovels. Why don�t Ch. 2 and Ch. 7 also video these everyday? These things happen, too, you know. This may be the last time that ANC will ever invite me to guest in their programs, but I have to say that I cannot imagine how anyone, even Lee Kwan Yew or Dr. Mahathir or Mao Zedong or Fidel Castro, can possibly build a discerning, independent-minded, self-motivated, self-respecting, educated, proud, informed, literate and achieving nation out of our masa when the two TV channels most viewed by them feed them nothing but garbage. Freedom of the press, Filipino-style, is truly depressing. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |
| Reactions to �Freedom of Depress� Dear Mr Abaya, I watched your interview on the World Tonight this evening with much interest. I think you made some good points about the public's reactions to 1017 and the way the rebellion coverage was reported. However, I would take issue with one point that you made, that being that the United States enjoys absolute freedom of the press - or something approaching it. In its annual World Press Freedom Index (http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=554), Reporters Without Borders places the US at a feeble 44, pointing to the frequent demand by courts that journalists disclose their sources, and the imprisonment of Judith Miller in 2004. The Philippines comes in at 139, primarily because of the high murder rate in the profession. The US media operates with the same laws against libel or incitement that you'll find in many other countries. However, it also suffers from self-censorship and the overbearing influence of the right, as most media is owned by businesses with direct commercial links to the government. Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (http://www.fair.org) operates a very good mailing list that regularly investigates bias in the mainstream media. One of the biggest problems in the Philippines (I believe) is that it so often looks towards an idealized America for leadership, and so rarely looks for inspiration elsewhere. There is a lot that's vibrant and idealistic in the Philippine media, and while something needs to be done about the levels of bias and exaggeration in many reports, imposing stricter legal controls on the media might risk smothering the very character that makes news here worth reading. Neil Taylor March 12, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: I saw your guesting at the ANC last Saturday. Could not help but see two 'frames' clash, yours and the anchorman who appears to be 'wanting' to hear you agree that press freedom, as it is here, is being so challenged by government censorship, that the stand of his mother studio seems to be well justified. It's like inviting someone for dinner only for the purpose of having that fellow say that you're cooking up the best dish in town. Hmmm, I wonder what the main purpose of the interview was? To get your side of the issue or to get you to agree to their side of the issue. Thanks for maintaining your poise and not losing 'it'. Vitti Valenzuela, [email protected] March 14, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir ABAYA: When I received your e-mailed notice for that up-coming interview, I told my wife, she has to go jogging alone that Saturday morning (here in US) because I need to watch this one on ANC, live. Primarily because I wanted to see how you would orally deliver your thoughts as effectively as your writing does. Secondly, I waned to see how an ABS-CBN host would manage to react and direct the flow of discussion this time (which most often than not, ended up with insinuations unfavorable to the government and seems like a pattern to me). I thought it may be different this time, considering of course the frame of mind of the guest. I was right, just the opening salvo alone about "Absolute Freedom", made me jump from my "lazy boy" chair shouting "10" for Tony A. I was alone in the house, mind you. Along the course of the interview, I noticed Tony V. didn't care to rebut seriously your statements which mostly were contrary to the general messages ABS-CBN is trying to relay to their viewers. For example, government official ordered them not to air Bonifacio standoff, you said "asked" not ordered and they didn't follow anyway, you mentioned the "standoff" picture may have been blown up of actual reality, mentioning some of your personal info and Tony V. just decided to change the subject. I am not applauding you because I am pro-GMA. I don't know her, didn't vote last election, but I can see from my view outside, the Philippine economy is taking off and that's important. The rest of it was history, but for me, you produced a "digital" picture of the subject matter, "Freedom of Depress". We must credit ABS-CBN though for giving you that space of freedom to express what reality really is. However, I agree with you, that may be your last with ABS-CBN, lol. But for me and, I believe, majority of the Pinoy Nation, a Congratulations is in order! Ador Ramoso, [email protected] Atlanta, Gerogia, March 15, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr Abaya, Thank you for your article today. Indeed we need news and information that build us up individually and as a nation. I agree with you wholeheartedly that there is no absolute freedom of the press. The practice of press freedom should indeed consider �consequences of execrable contents� fed to our people. If you also listen to early morning radio, you will also notice the garbage that our commentators are spewing to the �masa�. It seems that all they are interested in is to destroy and bring down our lot instead of being objective and fair critics. I am writing this to encourage you in your good work and in your proclaiming wisdom as it is, even if you may not be invited again to some shows. Jess Espina, Jr., [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Mr. Abaya, I agree and disagree on some points you mentioned in your article. However, the bottom-line of all these things is the truth. Nothing else. True, there are certain sectors that we should consider as enemies of the state. But what boggles my mind is what they did to the Daily Tribune. Dapat na lang, wag nalang pansinin ng gobyerno yan. I can�t see any solid reason for that paper to be accused of treason or sedition. Truly, they are the political enemy of GMA, but to the point of overthrowing this government, ibang kwento na yan, boss. At the end of the day, GMA is still the president. Whatever happens to this country should be attributed to her. Problem is, pag positive balita, the government is responsible. Pag pangit, opposisyon. I may not be as intellectual as you are, sir, but I believe I AM NOT STUPID. Sa akin lang, settle the issue of Hello Garci tapes. Ito naman ang puno�t dulo ng lahat eh. Mike Delgado, [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy of email sent to several newspapers and websites) Reacting to the Freedom of Depress by Antonio Abaya: What we have is not the Freedom of the Press that we fought for before but the freedom of the press to negative information. Like many, I am still wondering why there were special interviews for some Magdalo soldiers like San Juan. What were the objectives of the freedom of the press here for airing the advocacies of San Juan and the Magdalo soldiers? What rights do the people have in this situation. right to information of negativity and non sense? Or is it something that we now fight freedom of the press because some reporters get paid by the people who would like to get their views or advocacies aired and some dictated to maintain ratings so that more money to come from ads. Both have the same face anyway. it is all about money not the responsibility anymore. I am sorry to the Philippine Press but this is now what I think of them. I do not see anymore balanced news for the good and bad or positive and negative, most news is bad and negative. What product do you expect from people.. too negative and dramatic people. All you can hear from people are mahirap, kahirapan, mahirap lang kami. But in fact we are not the worst people on earth anyway. Whether you like it or nor, I viewed like many others that Freedom of the Press is now more on commercial objectives rather than to advance people. And the fight for the freedom is actually a fight to abuse that freedom. Like many Filipinos, the silent ones, we have also the right to live peacefully.can you not exercise your Freedom of the Press for us to live peacefully, let us say 50-50? Rey Corpuz, [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Antonio, I forwarded your recent emails to my friend Robin Moyer. (ex-Time photographer and movie buff!).He was quite impressed, and has the following comments : �What is the address of Abaya's blog ? He's really good.� Please contact him directly ? Lester Harvey, [email protected] Le Souffle Restaurant, The Fort March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You are so right and I am forwarding this article to all my friends! Grace Abella-Zata, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE VERY NICE ARTICLE! I READ YOU EVERYTIME IN MANILA STANDARD TODAY AND I GET THIS ALSO IN MY E-MAIL. How right you are about the kind of news that our youth are getting from the "leading" TV stations. Lately, I have been fascinated by the Pinoy Big Brother program that I watch it when I can. Last night, I must have dozed off while watching and when I woke up, I was horrified by what I saw on the screen - dead person without arms, etc. It was the next program entitled "SOCO". I almost didn�t sleep! More power to you! Herminia " Ming" Jacinto, [email protected] BPI Insurance Group, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr. Abaya, There's certainly hope in the Philippines with journalists like you around. . Thank you for the breath of fresh air. May your tribe increase. Angie Diaz, [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Bravo, I agree wholeheartedly with your essay. Totally. Carlos Celdran, [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished) Please read Tony Abaya's essay below. (after my " nanggigigil " comments, of course.) Sana mabasa ito ng mga sobrang OA sa press at media who demand that we, the people must protect them from government censure. (Luchee Cruz in Rina David's column in PDI yesterday., March 15) Bakit , akala ba ng mga mediang ito , e tuwang tuwa na tayo sa kanila?. Puro na lang freedom ; hindi naman nila naiisip ang responsibility.! Tingnan mo naman ang Inquirer headline yesterday: " We hold the Nation"-AFP. The headline implies that the military believes that it is the most powerful institution in the country today and that the President is therefore beholden to the military. If you read the story however, the Army Spokesperson only said that the military is ONE of the most important institutions in the country and that therefore, it should be vigilant about remaining professional . It was Joker Arroyo's opinion that the president is beholden to the military. But as it is wont to do, the Inquirer chose the most malicious angle , blew it out of proportion , and turned into a headline the OPINION of one man. (Sorry ha; hindi na kami nasisindak sa mga senador ngayon. I respect Senator Arroyo, although I do not totally agree with his opinion. The military takes its cue from the middle class and professionals) And most of all, tama ba namang bigyan ng iba at masamang kahulugan ang sinabi ng AFP spokesperson, SPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL RECOVERING FROM A COUP ATTEMPT Itanong nga ninyo sa sarili ninyo kung responsible journalism ba iyan? At korek si Tony Abaya !... Ano nga ba ang mga balita sa local TV ? bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan,. No wonder nanalo si Erap ; we get candidates like FPJ for president and we have a gallery of comedians in the Senate. (and I do not mean just the artistas) Puwede bang mag-suggest sa media: Why don't you study the other issues that have a direct impact on the lives of people - such as employment , for instance (do you realize that the Cyberservices sector will need close to one million people by 2010, but we may not have the qualified people? And that the brain drain is seriously undermining the long-term viability of some Philippine industries which are major dollar earners for the country ? We are now forced to redefine our strategy for growth and development , and balance our reliance on OFW remittances with the need to nurture our own industries here ! ) How about news -good and bad - related to irrigation, agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, global events and trends etc..that will affect the lives of Filipinos? Put these things in the front page and on prime time , TOGETHER with the political news so that people can make well-reasoned judgments about the Philippine political situation in the context of the world we live in and thus, make better choices come election time. Media people keep on harping about their rights under a democracy, but they are not doing what they should be doing to make our democracy work! Democracy works only when the vast majority of people have access to information that will allow them to make intelligent choices. Of course, media would need to study and discern what is truly important and I guess it is so much easier to do what they are doing now- quote and misquote politicians ad nauseam.etc... ISA PA- Pwede ba , stop giving the space and time that these leftists do not deserve! Dapat inside pages lang sila. Kayong taga-media: Reklamo kayo ng reklamo ngayon about the THREAT to your freedom of _expression. Ano sa akala ninyo pag sila Satur , Beltran and co. ang nasa power? Hello! (Siguro naman alam ninyo that in China today, bloggers like Bong Austero are not even allowed to make critical comments about the government on their blogs - BLOGS lang iyan ,ha!) Or, if you were to interview them- can you please prepare incisive and well-researched questions so that everyone will have a clear idea of their exact and comprehensive plan to take us to a better Philippines? (assuming they have such.) My friend said he watched Nemenzo and Baraquel on ANC and he was really scared at what they were saying. Pakisabi daw sa mga dinosaur leftists na ito na he would rather have GMA forever than have them for a mere month at the seat of power! Please do not forget to read Tony Abaya below. Grace Abella-Zata, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww\ Dear Tony, I completely agree with your assessment of Philippine media. All they produce is garbage. Thank God we now have cable TV so that my children are spared from channels 2 & 7, which are nothing but broadcast tabloids. To a large extent, the retrogressive "masa" is the way it is because it has fallen victim to the daily bombardment of filth from our TV and AM radio stations. Pachelo Lao, [email protected] March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I think you are right, sir, yon din ang napanpansin ko sa t.v. shows natin puro patayan , pupukan, away, at walang kakuwenta-kuwenta puro masalimot na drama , kapatis sa kapatid, anak sa magulang, pulito sa pulito na away. Hindi kaya, sir, yon lang ang kaya ng mga mentalidad ng mga nasa media natin? Bakit ganoon kung sino pa ang may impluwensya sa masa tulad ng media at pulitico para sila pa mga wlaang kuwenta. Dahil binoto rin sila ng majority na hindi marunong na mag-isip na pilipino. Hamunin natin ang mga media na tinggnan natin kung kaya naman na hubugin ang mga manood na maging isang mabuting mamamayan kung ayaw nila maging salot n mga broadcaster. Sana naman gumawa sila ng mas makabuluhang mga mapapanood. Alexander Carrancejoa, [email protected] Kuwait, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww "Freedom of the press, Filipino-style" Hi. Two observations, Tony. I have spent a few weeks in the Philippines every year since 1986. My observations of the TV program content in ' post revolution' 1986 were that they were quite good, but I think that they have gone progressivly down hill (with possible little 'blips' as you mention after your Good News versus Bad News in 2002) year by year. My second point is that "Freedom of the press, Filipino-style" appears to apply to the TV advert content as well (Is there no Pinoy advertising standards authority?). You say "The masa are not informed of the latest advances in science and technology, ... or the most recent discoveries in med cine ...", but many think that they are being informed of such things, and are convinced that 'it is a proven scientific fact' that if you stuff yourself and your kids with allsorts of (vitamin/mineral?) pills, all your health problems will vanish. Only recently in a discussion about basketball and the average height of Pinoys, I said that I did not think that height was all due to the genes, but that the diet during the childhood years was of great significance. I was answered " but there are supplements that you can take which will make you gain inches within weeks". I said, somatotrophin hormone given under medical supervision by subcutaneous injection at the correct stage of development will increase height, but I doubt very much if anything taken by mouth would have any noticeable effect in the short term. To which the answer came "Oh yes it has been proved; you look at the TV". D.John Adams, [email protected] United Kingdom, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear revered Tocayo, and I say this with utter solemnity. Your article on Freedom of Depress (Media) hit the nail(s) on the head. What you said here - in the level of eloquence and erudition that is unmistakably Tony Abaya - is true, starkly true and should be (a) circulated among Educators starting with Education Department (b) discussed by all media moguls and media students in college - to see how we can finally EDUCATE OUR MASA, instead of poisoning and lulling their minds with gross, raw so-called NEWS, so that they can grow up and not vote candidates like (ugh) ESTRADA and other movie actors. *Since my orientation has been in the Industrial Training field, I always look at new ideas, techniques, observations as material for training. We must use our media - yes commercial media - to uplift our MASA...while giving the news and commentaries. Here is more... How about convening Journalism schools in leading universities to hold a mini-summit precisely on this topic (and column) of yours so that they have a take off point on designing a program for the MASA � yes, invite all the channels existing. Make them discuss a training program, a type of programming, funds to support it and a timetable in which to implement it., even if takes years But they must start NOW! Pahabol pa...The fact is, internet, texting, email are in effect part of the communications medium...Let us harness them to educate the masa, tocayo. Tony Joaquin, [email protected] Daly City, California, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Excellent dissection of the Philippine press. I hope their editors have heard the comments of foreigners that our �news� as written are NOT worth reading at all. There is nothing there for the brains. Our popular TV shows also are so inane there is nothing also for the mental and educational development of the listeners. In some countries that we lived in, between 9:00AM � 11:OOAM ONLY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WERE BROADCASTED. No wonder they are tops in scientific discovery and development. You are among the respected members of the Fourth Estate. Please carry on the crusade to restore sanity and utility in our mass media. Only a respected member from within and among them can do this. AND THIS MEANS YOU. We will support you in this crusade. Please carry the flag of intellectual revolution to improve the world�s freest press. May GOD GRANT US SUCCESS IN THIS ENDEAVOR. God bless the Philippines. Jun Apolonio Anota, [email protected] Singapore, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir Abaya: Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi n'yo. Most of the TV shows, especially those from the two most popular channels, feed us and our children mostly garbage. Talaga namang halos lahat ng balita ay puro bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan, pukpukan. Bibihira ang mga balita na puno ng information para sa masa (e.g. science and technology, enterpreneurship, success stories). Isang halimbawa na lang itong Wowowwie. Bagama't popular at kinalolokohan ng mga kababayan natin, at nakakatulong din naman talaga sa iilang masuwerte, ay sa bandang huli at ating susumahin ay nakakapaghikayat sa mga kababayan natin na umasa na lang sa SUWERTE at tulong o limos ng iba. 'Ika nga ng isang analyst "it promotes a culture of mendicancy" o pamamalimos. Kaya tingnan mo iyong mga sumasali, kung ano-anong problema ang sinasabi - may isa pa akong napanood na nakalikom ng halos 200.00 US dollars dahil sa ambag-ambag ng mga tiga TFC. Kaya tuloy ang ibang mga sumunod ay natuto na rin, lagi ring may baong malungkot nakuwento. Hindi ko naman sinisisi ang mga kababayan natin na umasal ng ganito lalo na kung talagang totoo namang may problema o matinding pangangailangan, at siyempre pa pagkakataon na ring maka-jackpot at maibsan ng konti ang matagal nang problemang dinadala. Pero Diyos ko naman, sana naman huwag nang gatungan pa at hikayatin pa ng staff at ng mga namumuno sa show para lang umangat ang kanilang rating at viewership. Alam naman nila na ang lahat ng ito ay temporary lamang at bagama't nakakatulong sa iilan ay naghihikayat naman sa iba pang milyon-milyong manonood na umasa sa suwerte, maging tamad at umasa sa tulong ng iba. Kaya tingnan mo ang mentality ng marami sa mga Pinoy, laging umaasa sa iba lalo na sa mga kamag-anak na nakakariwasa ng kaunti o iyong ilang masuwete na may kamag-anak sa abroad - at minsan ay ang galit pa kapag natanggihan o hindi natulungan. Sana naman itong mga TV shows ay dagdagan ang mga programa na naghihikayat sa mga Kababayan natin na maging masikap, masinop at mapagpunyagi. Maging buo ang loob na paunlarin at iahon sa kahirapan ang buhay sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan at bigayan. Take note, may bigayan hindi puro kabig. Halimbawa, balik uli tayo sa Wowowwie, kung linggo-linggo ba ay nagbibigay sila ng premyo sa isang tao o grupo o kooperatiba na nakapag-pakita ng tiyaga at pagsisikap na mapabuti ang buhay, o kaya ay magbigay ng premyo sa isang tao o pamilya na nakagawa ng isang katangi-tanging bagay para sa kapwa o sa komunidad. O kaya naman ay i-feature nila ang isang natatanging enterpreneur na nagsikap at umasenso. Bilang premyo, maaring nilang dagdagan ang puhunan o kahit pautangin pa ng dagdag puhunan para mapalaki ang sinimulang negosyo. At least dito mahihikayat ang lahat na magsumikapat magsimula sa sariling kakayahan. Ang Pinoy ay likas na matalino, matiyaga, masikap at maabilidad. Sana naman ang mga katangiang ito ang ating alagaan, ipagdiwang at tulungang palaguin. Huwag nating hayaang matabunan ito ng mga basura at masasamang halimbawa. Sir, may nalimutan nga pala kayo sa mga balita natin na puno ng bugbugan, saksakan, barilan, gahasaan, sampalan, suntukan, pukpukan. Ang balita natin ay puno rin po ng Balitang Showbiz - hiwalayan, kabitan, awayan, intrigahan, siraan, bastusan. Hindi nga talaga kayo madalas manood ng TV shows. Siguro hindi n'yo rin alam na si Sugar ang dahilan ng pagkawala ng Sex Bomb sa Eat Bulaga, ano? Hehehe biro lang po ;). Salamat po ng marami sa isa na namang mahusay na pag-aanalisa sa sitwasyong kinalalagyan ng ating bansa natin ngayon. Lagi ko pong inaabangan ang column n'yo sa Manila Standard. Mabuhay po kayo. Edwin M. Herrera, [email protected] Georgia, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Please refer to: http://anticorruption.homestead.com/Justice.html Marlowe Camello, [email protected] Homeland, California, March 16, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Sir: The following came to mind when I read your article: - To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it. (G. K. Chesterton.) - Most people are willing to pay more to be amused than to be educated. (Robert C. Savage) N. Abu, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Dear Mr. Abaya, I share your views. I don�t believe that the reason why media is giving us those news is because we the public, the readers want it. I also don�t believe they are dishing out the most relevant news. I think a lot of issues and happenings get ignored. I also think that the reason why media is so focused on politics, violence, crime, sex, showbiz, etc. is because this is the most convenient, cheapest, easiest for them to cover, and what they think are tried and tested formula (debatable as interests and preferences change rapidly these days). For myself, I would like to see less intrigues, less focus on politics and squabbles and more on business and how people can be more productive (self-help ideas, inspiring entrepreneurial stories), and those human interest stories that focus on uplifting moral values and traditions). I think a lot of media outfits are misreading what the people want these days. Or they have simply lost their creativity. How sad. Aline Parrone, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I cannot let this day pass without expressing my admiration for this particular piece. After reading it today (forwarded to me by a colleague), I felt and still am elated to realize that there are Filipinos who remain intelligent and courageous enough to point out to local media giants that in many ways, media has been a MAJOR underlying cause of stunted (even declining!) mental, emotional, and moral growth of many Filipinos. If this article stays unheeded by media, the more I am convinced that the effects of this stunted growth have reached even media itself. Can anyone imagine what the Philippines will become if we grant these people the kind of freedom that they demand? Maria Nenita A. Jumao-as, CE, MSc, [email protected] Civil Engineer, Hydrology & Water Resources Consultant University of San Carlos, WATER RESOURCES CENTER USC Talamban, 6000 Cebu City, March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I couldn't agree with you more. Our press is just one step above pure porn, disguised as news. If Porn were not legally curtailed, it would be the number one item on the news, taking at least 50% of the "bakbakan, saksakan, patayan" time. Unfortunately, for the majority of the masses, "news" is no different from "Pinoy Big Brother". It�s entertainment. Peter Capotosto, [email protected] March 17, 2006 Wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, I agree with you 100%. Finally, I hear someone who is not all out for "absolute freedom of press". Everyday I hear media complain about "no freedom of press", "worst than Marcos era", etc. Frankly, I do not blame the government for finally showing their teeth to media. They show no responsibility when reporting and blow things out of proportion. My children do not even bother to watch the news or any talk shows, THANK GOD, because they say it�s full of trash and full of exaggeration. They do not learn anything. They would rather watch Animal Planet and Discovery channels. I pity parents who cannot afford to have cable channels and therefore their children end up watching allthe "saksakans", "rapes", "patayan", "bugbugan" and even squabbles of our politicians. Sad to say, this is the press in our country which our media people would like to continue. Marilen Y. Legarda, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww It's unfortunate that we don't have the Pinoy channels here in the boodocks (talagang bundok!) and I missed your guest appearance in the show of Tony Velasquez. BTW, I got a lot of feedback from your column on Snafu, Katyn, Brokeback, and would like to thank you for mentioning me. Since then I've been "supplied" with more acronyms that have no practical application for what's going on there. Curiously, one friend who wrote was Joe Alejandro, who informed me that you were classmates at Loyola Heights, AB Class of 1955. He was my classmate in law school at Padre Faura, Class of '58. Small world, indeed! Joe wrote, in part,: "Indeed, you have arrived. If you do not know it already, Tony Abaya is a Class 55 AB grad of Ateneo and we were seated together. Only an Atenean can spot the genus in another Atenean, I guess." Meanwhile, just a little comment on your piece Freedom of Depress, if I may. The Manila news media has got to have the most press freedom to the extent that many newsmen ---legitimate or otherwise--- even have the freedom to abuse. It happened to me when I was still with PAL. The calumnist wrote something about me without checking the facts. Of course I was eventually exonerated when there was a konfrontasi with the "writer" in the presence of the publisher. Then again there are still others who resort to payola . . . . or else. A friend in the broadcast media informed me of this, so I took it as gospel truth. Rome Farol, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Our local TV stations, specially ABS-CBN and GMA 7, have immensely contributed to the idiotization of the Filipino masa. I refuse to watch local TV for its idiotic and trashy contents. ANC gets on my nerves and watching it is dangerous to my blood pressure. It is so slanted in its news presentation and opinions of its show hosts. What can you expect? Can they go against the wishes of the Lopezes? Rosario Billano, [email protected] March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr Abaya -- After reading your very fine piece about the state of "depress," I dug up the article I sent to the inquirer which they ran over a month ago about the state of radio stations in manila. I was editing it (and cutting down the size) when it got sent to you inadvertently. I wanted to send you my piece because you only mentioned TV in your article, when it is actually radio which is the most pervasive throughout our archipelago. It's mainly in the urban centers where Filipinos can have TVs while the majority of those in the rural areas rely mainly on their radios. Here in HK I can tune in to some Manila radio stations after midnight and mainly get the El Shaddai, INK and Radio Veritas -- most of them engaged in preaching and praying. The other stations, the commercial ones like DZME (Capitol Broadcasting), which is where I heard this charlatan Kuya Danny "healing" callers, and another one with a woman healer peddling "miracle molecules" (something which I couldnt include in my article) are the ones who should be chastised (and educated, if that's at all possible) so they stop misusing and abusing this very important medium, radio. May your tribe increase. Isabel Escoda, [email protected] Hong Kong, March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: Let me commend you for your well-written and well-argued article. I find it quite instructive. I agree with the proposition you advanced, that there is no such thing as "absolute freedom of the press." My sense is that absolutes are invariably fraught with danger. I am reminded of Lord Acton's dictum: "Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely." You are right in asserting that absolute freedom of the press leads to anarchy. A free and independent press necessarily has to be cognizant of the need for it to be factual, fair and responsible. Mar Patalinjug, [email protected] Yonkers, New York, March 17, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello tocayo! A colleague forwarded your "Freedom of Depress" piece to me, and I must say I found your observations very thought-provoking. I appreciated your views when you shared them during last Saturday's newscast, as well as when you articulated them once more in your column. Truth to tell, I've had a grudging respect for the way media in our more advanced neighbors have been restrained (disciplined?) in their reportage of their internal issues and events. It's been a long-running debate on how media in the Philippines has been dumbing down the masses, with all the bugbugan, pukpukan, sampalan, and other *****ans being served as daily news fare. There are opposing schools of thought even within ABS-CBN as to whether these types of stories should be standard content of our Pilipino newscasts. Eventually, the editorial board of the newsroom evaluated that these are the stories that are relevant to a majority of Filipino viewers, because they are exactly the events that impact on their communities. Of course, tocayo, human conflict and suffering have always been sources of news. The violence and intrigues that occur in our local communities may seem petty and inconsequential to other segments of society, or to your own view, because they have no uplifting effect or value. But our viewers are affected by these elements, because whether they have a choice or not, they live in communities where violence and intrigues are realities. People defecating into esteros is a reality, yes. But tocayo, I don't believe you can honestly say that crime and showbiz gossip are as mundane as the act of poor people emptying their bowels into open canals. The Philippine media may have a long way to go to become a positive uplifting force. But that's not because of a lack of effort from among our colleagues in the industry, especially in ABS-CBN and its sister networks ANC and Studio 23. Yes, I agree our news and current affairs programs can do well to highlight encouraging and inspiring developments locally and abroad. But they also have to serve as the people's guardians, looking out for the negative elements that may be doing an injustice to their rights, and may potentially be life-threatening to the public. If media were not to serve this role, to whom then would hapless citizens turn for help, when they have suffered enough frustration at the hands of a slow and seemingly unconcerned bureaucracy? How then could Filipinos protect themselves against people who have no regard for their welfare, if media were not to expose these negative elements? By exposing and reporting the negative, programs like Hoy Gising! or segments such as Citizen Patrol have given even ordinary Filipinos the power to take control of their lives. (But at the same time that you are supposedly �giving ordinary Filipinos the power to take control of their lives,� you are also keeping them ignorant of the more important things in life: a harmonious society, awareness of the rest of the world and the environment, immersion in humanizing knowledge and exposure to activities that raise us above the level of the beast. ACA) But having said all these, I agree with you wholeheartedly that Philippine media can do well to produce programs that showcase the triumph of human ingenuity and creativity. There should be a regular place reserved for these stories. But we cannot shield our people from the unfortunate realities that affect their lives. As night cannot exist without day, so too should media continue to be free to report on the negative, if only to push people forward to search for the positive. Thanks so much, tocayo ,for always being there to share your insights with us. And, by the way, the welcome mat will always be laid out for you in ABS-CBN and in ANC. All the best to you, tocayo! Tony Velasquez, [email protected] ABS-CBN, March 18, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, This morning I was in the terminal of Victory Liner in Baguio City. Accidentally, a Victory liner bus driver hit a motorcycle of a European national. It was a morning filled with shouting scenes from this European as he hurled f... and even to this f...... country. Deep inside me I was saying "makakahanap ka rin ng katapat mo ." Parang ang sarap bugbugin, ang yabang kasi sa bansa natin, minumura tayo. Then the people around were saying, "pabayaan nyo na lang yan, ganyan lang talaga yan, huwag nyong pansinin." There I saw how really we as a people are patient and forgiving. But how long we will be this patient in the face of the many crisis that we are facing. I am becoming hopeless and less enthusiastic already in helping our country. I am a person filled with initiatives for our country specially for the poor, but it seems that we are returning back to the vicious cycle of bickering, of corruption and poverty. I am really looking for light and inspiration at this time. It is in this context that I appreciated your article "Freedom of Depress" because I am falling into depression seeing how the things are going on in our country. If the media is the most powerful tool to educate, we really have to invest on it to help in nation-building. Thanks by the way for this article. This really prove how the pen, now by means of email and internet, is helping to reshape our identity as a nation. Thanks for making space for my article on Edsa in your website Jose Aranas, [email protected] Baguio City, March 18, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sock it to 'em, Tony! ABS-CBN interrupted its regular programming the night of the Fort Bonifacio stand-off and also covered the incident live on ANC. Really blew it up all out of proportion, prompting Tita Cory to appear there (with her daughters and grandchildren!) "to pray." What a farce! Luckily, Imee Marcos showed up on the TV screen, thereby discouraging a lot of people from going there. Aida Sevilla-Mendoza, [email protected] Philippine Daily Inquirer March 18, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I agree 101 % with what you said in that TV interview. It is refreshing to hear someone from the media talk the way you do about Freedom of Depress, as you put it. That Tony Velasquez was surprised at what you were saying and seemed to be mocking you. The nerve of that immature twit. Lilit Cuisia, [email protected] March 18, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww You are 101% correct. More power !!! Willie Villarama, Former congressman from Bulacan March 18, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Bravo! Victor A. Lim, [email protected] Faculty Member, Asian Institute of Management March 19, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (The following article was emailed to us) An Anguished Letter from a Jesuit WHY GMA MUST GO Like the rest of the ABC+ ECO classes, I figured we should just ignore GMA and go about our life. After all there's no acceptable alternative on the horizon. Better the devil we know than the one we don't, right? I even said she was most likely the real winner in the 2004 elections.After all she had the incumbent's advantages. She spent billions of pesos for her campaign. The P800M fertilizer fund and P500M health insurance budgets were diverted to buy votes. Then to ensure a convincing victory she topped it off with Garci. You see the little woman vowed she would get a lead of at least 1M votes over FPJ. That way, even if Opposition cheats, she would have a buffer. Her other ambition was to get more votes than Erap, partly to thumb her nose up at him and his loyalists. Mostly so she would feel the love of the people because in truth everything she did was really for love. She wasn't always a cheat and a liar. In fact there was one moment of epiphany when she actually had the decency to say she wasn't going to run because she was such a polarizing and divisive personality. Alas the Holy Spirit left so soon. And her broken promise became yet another one of many more to come. Since the Hyatt 10 resigned, the dark side has completely taken over. Like the votes she bought, she systematically bribed cronies and critics alike. When position and money didn't work, fear and intimidation was the alternative mode of persuasion. Instead of capable men and women, she filled up critical government positions with loyalists whose self-interest hinged on preserving her own. And so she has slowly corrupted everyone and everything she touched. The military. The judiciary. The businessmen. The church. The police. If the soldiers were restless--- give them a house and an increase. If media cannot be co-opted, threaten them with PP 1017. Its actually1081 all over again. Arrest all who speak out against her. Commies or Professors, it doesn't matter. You're invited for questioning if you're not for her. Now she wants the charter changed in order to perpetuate herself. Using tried and tested methods she tried to use No-EL to suborn Congress. Can you imagine the damage she can wreak till 2010 and beyond? All this while the First Gentleman amasses a fortune from all government deals and the son smuggles racehorses and God knows what else. But who will replace her? Even Noli has been persuaded to remain loyally supportive. All trapos are the same. We replaced an incompetent plunderer with a diabolical one. What's to assure us it won't be from "the pot to the fire" again? And with this unanswered question we go about our own business. Irritated for the inconvenience caused by street protests. Disdainful of Cory, Hyatt 10, Civil Society and the whole sanctimonious lot for trying to get us back to the streets and pricking our conscience. We couldn't possibly link arms with Ping Lacson and Jinggoy and God help us, the Reds! Why even Winnie Monsod said so! And she's credible isn't she? She even wonders what the fuss is about a state of emergency! Hold on a second. We are now questioning even the basis of democracy. Has the little despot insidiously corrupted us without our knowing it? We are actually making excuses to help her stay in power, even if we don't really like her and we all know she and her husband are corrupt beyond belief. We close our eyes to the horde that surrounds her. One adviser operates big time illegal logging. Another "owns" the entire pier and the multi-million smuggling operations that go with it. Now with PP1017, we have another reason to pay no heed to politics. After all we don't want to be invited for questioning do we? In fact, we don't want to be questioned by anyone. We've put our conscience on sleep mode. What is the life span of a tyrant? History will tell us that they will reign while good men do nothing. But one thing is sure: A leader who does not possess the "friendship" of the people CANNOT lead. Even Machiavelli knew that. Well Madam, you will go down in history as the most UNLOVED president this country ever had. Poor Little Rich President! I am going back to the streets and anywhere else where I can shout my disgust in the most powerful way I know how. GMA has to know that there are some Filipinos who cannot be bought or frightened. Ad majorem natus sum! Joseph Raymund Patrick S. Sanchez, SJ Loyola House of Studies Ateneo de Manila University Katipunan Road, Loyola Heights 1108 Quezon City 426-6101 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |
| Dear Sir: The following article about the Philippines appeared recently in various U.S. newspapers: http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0315/p07s02-woap.html If you have any reactions to it, I'm sure your readers who love to know what they are. Also your non-Philippines readers would be curious to know if the article accurately portrays conditions in the Philippines. The following quote came to mind when I read what you wrote: "No wonder our [masses] are, or grow up to become, stupid and ignorant, and vote for stupid and ignorant candidates during elections": - As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: you liberate a city by destroying it. Words are to confuse, so that at election time people will solemnly vote against their own interests. (Gore Vidal) N. Abu, [email protected] March 20, 2006 MY REPLY. I read the article but found nothing particularly original or insightful or interesting about it. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.. Let�s have all the freedoms all our patriotic Filipinos aspire for and be in suspended animation till kingdom come. It�s all a big joke and continues to be funnier and funnier. Let the good times roll! Julie Hernandez, [email protected] March 20, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I agree with Mr. Antonio Abaya in his column dated March 16, 2006, entitled 'Freedom of Depress', that our local news are no longer educating us in presenting their news to us. They are focusing more on the bad news rather than giving us the good ones. Imagine how can you sell the creativities and the discoveries of Filipinos or even our tourist spots if they are not showing it to the general public. But we cannot compare the Philippines to other countries, because that is what we are enjoying right now, 'democracy' after the Marcos Era. Under this democracy, TV stations (except for Channels 4, 9, and 13) are still owned by private companies. Because of these, only agencies like KBP can give guidelines on TV networks. I am not in favor of PP#1017, a de facto Martial Law, I am not a lawyer, but as far I am concerned, you can only put the state in the emergency status in case of invasion, calamities, and rebellions. When GMA declared the State of Emergency, she mentioned in her speech that the 'enemies of the states' are already captured. So what can be her reason for declaring it? And how can you say that the state is in danger if actually GMA is the one in trouble. During that time she can just alert the police and the military to protect the palace against the anti-GMA protesters. I just hope the government will stop threatening the media. Remember we are in a democratic country and remember in our Bill of Rights, we have 'Freedom of the Press'. Andrew Jimenez, [email protected] March 21, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww |
| In your March 14 article, you wrote: �Freedom of the press, Filipino-style, is truly depressing.�. ***** That is the One-Liner of the Year! Victor A. Lim, [email protected] Faculty Member, Asian Institute of Management April 21, 2006 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww |