"Media bear the responsibility for searching for truth and delivering it to the public."
"Media bear the responsibility for searching for truth and delivering it to the public."
Without the media, Philippine and global, I would not know how to navigate this challenging time of the coronavirus pandemic. As Jayvy Gamboa and I wrote in an article published online, this crisis is accompanied by a massive infodemic, which according to the World Health Organization is “an over-abundance of information that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.”
We observed that, in our country, what is worse is that we seem to have both an overabundance of information we don't want, and a shortage of the information we actually need. And unfortunately, without reliable information in this time of crisis, the people are left blind, anxious, and helpless.
Jayvy and I also recognized that the media bear the responsibility for searching for truth and delivering it to the public: “Round the clock, journalists verify information on the ground: at government offices, checkpoints, hospitals, public markets.” In this time, we observed that we do not see a lot of so-called “envelopmental” journalism, where paid media prevails. Instead, “we see journalists brave through each day not merely for their livelihood, but to fulfill their roles as watchdogs, so the public can stay informed inside their homes.”
This is a good time for me to acknowledge all my collaborators and friends from traditional and new media.
Thank you to my colleagues in Rappler (disclosure: I serve in its Board of Directors)—both the senior managers and editors—Maria Ressa, Glenda Gloria, Chay Florentino, and Gigi Gowho are all old friends whom I trust completely (I also trust Marguerite de Leon who edits my Rappler articles even if I do not know her as much and long as the others) and all its great reporters (Lian Nami Buan, Pia Ranada Robles, Mara Cepeda, Camille Elemia, and others) to whom I am a source and frankly I am their fan. Twice a day I browse through the Rappler front and other pages. And because most of its editors and reporters are my social media friends, I usually get advance notice of breaking news.
To my editor Adelle Chua and other colleagues in Manila Standard where this Eagle Eyes column has been published twice a week for ten years now, and whose editorial page and news reporting, led by Joyce Pañares, stand out in terms of their independence. My fellow columnists in Standard, especially Emil Jurado and Elizabeth Angsioco, always challenge my thinking.
To Carol Arguillas my editor in MindaNews and the many Mindanawon colleagues, like fellow Cayayan de Oro native Froilan Gallardo and my former student Dale Mordeno, who write for this media online platform. MindaNews is my go-to site for everything about Mindanao. It also publishes my Riverman Vista columns which I usually write in my Cagayan de Oro home base which is by the Cagayan river.
To friends and colleagues in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, especially its columnists whose opinions I value greatly—John Nery, Gideon Lasco, Ambeth Ocampo, Manolo Quezon, Ciel Habito, Mike Tan, Randy David, Rina Jimenez, Winnie Monsod, Joel Butuyan, Peter Wallace, Ceres Doyo, Rufa Cagoco-Guiam, and others.
To Boo Chanco of the Philippine Star and Malou Tyquia and Bobi Tiglao of Manila Times. Their columns always provoke and challenge my views.
To those on broadcast media: in ABS-CBN, which in this crisis has proven that it deserves a renewal of its franchise—Gigi Reyes, Francis Toral, Karen Davila, Christian Esguerra, Karmina Constantino, and many others; in GMA 7—Howie Severino, Vicky Morales, Kara David, and others; in TV5 and OneNews—Roby Alampay, Ed Lingao, Luchi Cruz, Cito Beltran, Daniela Laurel, etc.; in CNN—Pinky Webb, Pia Hontiveros, Mitzi, etc; DZAS—Efren Pallorina and others; Radio Bombo—Arlene in Bacolod and James in Cagayan de Oro; Mai Bermudes from UNTV; and many others.
To Regine Cabato from The Washington Post, Raissa Robles from South China Morning Post, and all the journalists from the other international publications/media organizations—especially the ones I rely on—CNN, New York Times, and The Guardian. With these five top global organizations, I get good international coverage.
I also want to thank my friends in Facebook and Twitter whom I rely on as sources of information and opinion: Karen Cardenas, Rayvi Sunico, Sarah Elago, Le Anh Nguyen, Rowie Azada-Palacios, PJ Mariano-Capistrano, Remmon Barbaza, Leland Dela Cruz, Edre Olalia, Sol Taule, Krissy Conti, Neri Colmenares, Judy Taguiwalo, Ipat Luna, Joy Aceron, Ron Mendoza, Grace Santos, Tonton Neri, Gang Badoy, Judy Taguiwalo, Bobby Capco, Benedict Esconde, Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Margie Holmes, Mahar Mangahas, and many others.
From the Catholic Church, I am grateful for the social media presence of Fr. James Martin, Fr. Joel Tabora, Bishop Mylo, Fr. Nono Alfonso, Fr. Johnny Go, Fr. Vic Balthazar, Fr. Rannie Aquino, Fr. Aris Sison, the CBCP, America, Vatican News, and Crux Now, Catholic News Agency, National Catholic Register, Patheos, and Aletheia.
Among government officials, the most helpful sources of information in social media are Leni Robredo, Karlo Nograles, Edsel Salvaña, Sonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Vico Sotto, Isko Moreno, and Naguib Sinarimbo.
With all of these sources, I am updated and am able to take advantage of a diversity of opinions from where I can build my own perspective.
Facebook page: Professor Tony La Vina Twitter: tonylavs
