Pumalag ang Senate media matapos bansagan ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta ang hanay ng media na nagco-cover sa Senado bilang “bayaran.”
Ginawa ni Marcoleta ang pahayag sa Senate Blue Ribbon proceedings nitong Huwebes, June 4, kaugnay ng flood control scandal. Sa kanyang paunang salita, sabi ni Marcoleta, “Kayo pong mga participants sa media, na karamihan po sa inyo ay bayaran, sasabihin ko na sa inyo ito: mayroon po bang nagsalita sa kanila. Kayo pong members ng media, tinanong nyo po ba kung bakit nagpakatahimik sila?”
Kinondena ito ng Senate media at tinawag na iresponsable at mapanganib na banat laban sa press.
“We, the members of the Senate media, condemn in the strongest possible sense the sweeping claim by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that many members of the mainstream media are nothing more than paid hacks,” ayon sa statement ng Senate media.
Giit ng grupo, hindi ito simpleng puna sa coverage. Anila, ang pahayag ni Marcoleta ay atake sa isang institusyong mahalaga sa demokrasya.
“Such remark of the senator during Thursday’s Senate blue ribbon proceedings was not only irresponsible, but a reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy,” saad nila.
Sinabi rin ng Senate media na tinamaan ng malawakang akusasyon ang mga mamamahayag na humaharap sa intimidation, harassment, at panganib para maghatid ng impormasyon sa publiko.
“Marcoleta’s statement unfairly maligned media workers who risk intimidation, harassment and even their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable,” dagdag ng grupo.
Ayon sa Senate media, dapat mas maingat ang public officials sa kanilang mga salita, lalo na habang patuloy na pinapahina ng disinformation at political polarization ang public discourse.
“Marcoleta’s accusations against the press, if not supported by evidence, erode public trust in legitimate journalism and contribute to a climate of hostility against media practitioners simply doing their jobs,” ayon sa pahayag.
Iginiit ng grupo na hindi trabaho ng journalists na magsilbi sa politiko, partido, o kahit anong faction.
“The role of journalists is not to serve politicians, political parties or competing factions in the country’s endless political battles,” anila.
“The Fourth Estate exists to serve the public interest. Its duty is to pursue facts, verify information, question those in power and report developments without fear or favor,” dagdag nila.
Pinunto rin ng Senate media na hindi dapat gawing sandata ang press sa political warfare.
“The media is not a weapon to be wielded by one camp against another, nor should it be treated as collateral damage in political warfare,” ayon sa statement.
Nilinaw ng grupo na puwedeng punahin ang media coverage. Pero iba ang constructive criticism sa pagdungis sa buong propesyon.
“Criticism of media coverage is fair and even healthy in a democratic society. But there is a profound difference between constructive criticism and the wholesale vilification of an entire profession,” saad nila.
Giit ng Senate media, kung seryoso ang alegasyon laban sa journalists, kailangang may ebidensya.
“Public officials, such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence instead of just relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions.”
Tinapos ng grupo ang pahayag sa paalala na hindi kaaway ang media ng kahit anong political faction.
“Again, the press is not the enemy of any political faction. It is not an extension of any political machinery. Its allegiance must remain solely to the truth and to the public it serves.” /Bistado