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Media intimidation continues

Last Tuesday at ANC, after “Strictly Politics”, guest Mike Defensor, presidential chief of staff, told host Pia Hontiveros so casually that she and another ANC anchor, Ces Drilon, are not in the list of Malacañang’s favorite broadcast journalists.

Last week also, a Malacañang adviser told a print journalist of his displeasure over Ces and Pia’s anchoring of the Feb. 26 standoff at the Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio. He said they were so relieved when finally Mari Kaimo and Twink Macaraeg took over the anchoring in the evening.

Last Friday, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales said even if Proclamation 1017 which put the country in a state of national emergency has been lifted, they are studying the ABS-CBN’s coverage of last Sunday’s standoff, which might have gained sympathizers for Marine Col. Ariel Querubin who appealed for support.

Maria Ressa, head of ABS-CBN’s News and Current Affairs, told the Inquirer that no one among the ABS-CBN anchors and reporters had called on the people to come out and support Querubin’s call for public protection, or stated that some military units had defected to support their comrades in the Marines. “We simply aired their statements,” Maria said.

What could be Defensor’s motive in telling Pia about Malacañang’s displeasure of how she does her job other than to intimidate her and Ces into “sobering up” as what happened to others as reported by Gonzales with unconcealed glee.

Gonzales must have been happy with the cancellation of the Feb. 26 episode of Bro. Eddie Villanueva’s “Diyos at Bayan” on Proclamation 1017 with guests Bishop Julio Labayen, another priest, two nuns and three lawyers.

Bro. Eddie, who was a presidential candidate in the 2004 elections, owns the franchise of ZOE11 which is being used by QTV11, which is being managed by GMA-7.

Kata Inocencio, Bro. Eddie’s co-host , said the program which was supposed to have been aired Feb. 25 in QTV11 and Feb. 26 in GMA-7, was taped afternoon of Feb. 24 (Friday), the day Proclamation 1017 was issued.. She said she was told Saturday afternoon by their producer that GMA-7 executives had decided not to air that particular episode.

Kata said she tried to appeal the cancellation, offering to show a disclaimer from GMA7 that it was not their production. She even offered to delete what Malacañang considered “offensive” statements. But to no avail. The 1017 episode was not cancelled . They had to replay an earlier episode for the Feb. 26 timeslot.

Kata, who has been in broadcast journalism since the Marcos years, is hard put to understand what in the statements of their guests, even if critical of 1017, could have threatened the stability of the country.

“I am really very sad that its happening in our nation today because 20 years after what we fought for the return of democracy and general freedom suddenly we find ourselves gagged and prevented from telling the truth, from expressing ourselves,” Kata told “Probe”, which reported the cancellation of “Diyos at Bayan” last week.

Kata said she can’t blame GMA-7 and QTV executives because “I’m sure they were also not sure about how to behave given the situation. My only disappointment is they played a little bit too safe just to make sure that the government and the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) do not get back at them by cancelling their franchise or suspending their operation.”

Ramir Orteza of GMA-7 Corporate Communications denied that they were intimidated by 1017. He sent us this message: “QTV did not air the episode of Dios at Bayan” on Feb. 26, Sunday, because it was not in accordance with QTV’s policy on balanced treatment of issues. The top management of co-producer/blocktimer Zoe Broadcasting Network is aware of this policy. This decision had nothing to do with proclamation 1017. The network has exercised this option with Diyos at Bayan in the past- even before Proclamation 1017 was issued.”

At this time when media is under attack by the authorities who are supposed to protect it, we journalists should be clear about our duty to the public which is to inform as accurately as we can of what is happening in the country. There is no such thing as bad news and good news. There is only news.

If the news is bad for Gloria Arroyo, it’s not our business. We do not make the news. We just report it.

I told Defensor last week that his request for ABS-CBN not to cover the Feb. 26 standoff at the Marines headquarters was like telling us to abandon our duty to the public. He said: “You know, in other countries what Querubin did ( which was to appeal for support) would not have been tolerated.”

I told him in other countries, Gloria Arroyo would not be sitting as president because she was never elected by the Filipino people.

Published inMalayaMilitary

51 Comments

  1. goldenlion goldenlion

    The intimidation being done by the people of malacanang against media is violating the very basic rights of our journalists. Who are they (malacanang aides) to dictate what to write and what to broadcast? It is just right for the media to air what’s really happening regardless of who will get hurt. That is press freedom. Had gloria and her cohorts are doing well for the country and the people then they will read and hear good things for themselves. Sorry, to say, but everything they did……are worst affecting the lives and sentiments of the many Filipinos. To our media entities, please do not let yourself used by the illegitimate occupant of the palace and please do not give in to the harassments of the fake president’s people. It maybe hard now but definitely in the end we will win. Mabuhay ang Sambayanan!!!!!!!!

  2. goldenlion goldenlion

    Pahabol ko lang: to Ninez of Tribune…….we are one in your fight……our prayers for you and your staff. God bless you all.in the name of Christ our Lord!!!

  3. peacer051 peacer051

    Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the media should “think about what is best for the country, and not just write news that would alarm the people.” He added, the media’s coverage should be “more positive”
    http://www.malaya.com.ph/mar06/news8.htm

    Should be “more positive” daw. Wow! puro propaganda lang talaga ang gusto ng Malacanang. Eh, kung sinagot nila ng maayos ang “Hello Garci” issue, siguro hindi masyadong lalaki ang issue. Sa makatuwid, si Ermita is only thinking about what is best for Malacanang…and for Glue-ria. Pareho silang kapit tuko. What a shame!

  4. peacer051 peacer051

    pahabol din, we are one in your fight too (Tribune staff, at sa lahat ng Phil media). Keep writing! Only truth can set us free!

    from masugid na tagasubaybay from Japan

  5. No problem with being positive. To me, truth is positive because truth will set us free. That’s precisely the reason why we seek the truth.

    The problem with Arroyo, Ermita, Bunye and company is they have a distorted sense of what is true. They believe their own lies.

  6. Ellen, I just hope that there will be charges filed in court for those well documented instances in which the Bill of Rights is clearly violated. Even if these do not prosper, if the Press vigilantly pushes back each attempt to reduce the freedom of the press, it will all add up in the end…in July when impeachment charges must be filed again. My feeling is that the actions of the President and govt since 24 February 2006 contain crimes to indeed impeach her on new charges above and beyond the Garci tape wiretapping and voterigging. But it seems the Press has not yet begun to fight. I know it will as the initial shock wears off and we realize how high is the moral ground we occupy far above these fascists.

  7. a de brux a de brux

    Hahah! DJB, that lil fella in Utrecht will have a field day – you’ve just repeated his favorite line: “these fascists”.

  8. a de brux a de brux

    Ellen, DJB,

    Do you know if Pinas is a signatory/member of the International Court/ Tribunal in the Hague?

    Coz if so, you can actually file charges against Gloria for abuse of human rights in the Hague.

  9. a de brux

    thanks for believing. yeah why don’t we
    in ellen’s blogs do that. can we do it
    on line? somebody like rizalist can write
    the complaint, we can download it, let it
    be signed by so many around us and send
    it by email or by turtle mail, let it be worldwide kind of complaint filed in The
    Hague or in Brussels. LET’S ROLL, LET’S
    GET CRACKING.

    iF WE ARE NOT SIGNATORY, THEN BLAME IT ON
    OUR INUTIL SENATE.

  10. Yes, yes,yes. Can we do that? I’ll ask around if we can do that.

  11. a de brux a de brux

    Jay, am all for it! Will cost a bit of money filing the appropriate lawsuit.

    I like your “let’s get cracking” – very British Army, Royal Navy! That’s one of my favorite expressions too.

  12. Re:”Will cost a bit of money filing the appropriate lawsuit.”

    Is that so?

  13. a de brux a de brux

    Ellen,

    Yep! A lawyer has got to file the lawsuit – that will cost money. To support the suit, it must be filed by victims of human rights abuse and must have a moral representation, eg. a legally recognized association.

    Ninez could be one. Sen Pimentel could file the lawsuit, he being a registered lawyer but he must have a counterpart here.

    Remember when Ariel Sharon was sued in a court here in Brussels for human rights abuse he committed in Lebanon?

    I believe the Intl Fedration of Union of Journalists (with headquarters, main office in Brussels) could help.

  14. a de brux a de brux

    This report caught my attention:
    NBI subpoenas general linked to coup
    First posted 04:59pm (Mla time) Mar 06, 2006
    By Margaux C. Ortiz
    Inquirer
    http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=68508

    In military parlance, Senga has final say on whether NBI summons should be heeded.

    AFP should have priority on conducting investigation on its elements.
    Wonder whether Senga would surrender Lim even if it seems AFP advocate general has not finished his investigation (hahah! what coup plot?).

  15. a de brux a de brux

    Ellen,

    Erap should actually file a lawsuit in the International Court in the Hague or in Brussels. He probably has money too to finance the lawsuit.

  16. a de brux a de brux

    Ellen,

    Just read a report that a “Man linked to big-time smuggling nabbed at NAIA “. The man is identified as a certain Lee.

    Report also says that “Lee allegedly tried to bribe a certain
    Inspector Pedro Velasco with 300,000 pesos but the latter refused.”

    Highlighting Velasco’s action in media would be a good start towards inciting other inspectors to do the same, don’t you think?

  17. a de brux a de brux

    pidalism: (noun) system of corruption in the Philippines, systemic graft practised in the Philippine government, act of stealing from government by presidential spouse, etc.

  18. johnmarzan johnmarzan

    “I require no lectures from the junior Senator from Wisconsin as to the dangers or terrors of Communism. Having searched my conscience and my files, I cannot contend that I have always been right or wise, but I have attempted to pursue the truth with diligence and to report it even though, as in this case, I had been warned in advance that I would be subjected to the attentions of Senator McCarthy.”

    — Edward R. Murrow

    http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/g/good-night-and-good-luck-script.html

  19. batong•buhay batong•buhay

    Let’s be like the Palm Tree. If we need some encouragement today, let’s take another look at the palm tree. You can cut it but you can’t kill it. The nutrients that most trees need to survive can be found just below the bark, so when you cut them they die. But not the palm tree; its life comes from its heart so it thrives even under attack. Don’t let surface issues derail you and don’t give into short-term thinking. Stay focused on what God promised you!

    It bends but it won’t break. Tropical storms can blow most trees away, but not the palm tree. It’s resilient. It bends all the way to the ground, yet when the storm is over it straightens up again and is actually stronger. You were made to bend, not break. God promises to give you “strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy” (Col 1:11 TM). God’s willingness to promote you is always in direct proportion to your ability to endure.

    Its depth exceeds its height. While the roots of the average tree go a few feet under, the roots of the palm tree go deep in search of water. David said, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You” (Ps 42:1 NIV). God’s plan for you is to go deep, stay connected to Him, and never be uprooted, barren or blown away. If you’re facing trouble right now don’t ask “Why me?” instead ask, “What do you want me
    to learn?” Then trust God and grow stronger through it!

  20. a de brux a de brux

    Batong.Buhay,

    Got an idea! Let’s use the palm tree to scourge Gloria at a Post office pillar in Manila…

  21. Ellen,

    DJB or Rizalists wants his readers to give you Comment Love..

    I am asking you to keep up with the good fight!
    Now is not the time to be intimidated!
    “comment love” as djb may put it, is all the moral support i can give!

  22. John, I like the Edward Murrow quote. I’ll change “McCarthy” to Gloria Arroyo and send it to fellow journalists who are in Malacañang hit list.

  23. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Re: a de brux’s Pidalism

    Jose Pidal resorted to harassment thru libel suits as a legal tool for political persecution. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada accused Jose Pidal the protector of smugglers like Lee. Big-time smuggler Samuel Lee was arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Daily Tribune publisher Ninez Olivares had been harassed by Pidal and his cohorts with multiple libel suits.

    http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=31971

    http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=2&story_id=68475

  24. johnmarzan johnmarzan

    don’t change the quote from mccarthy to arroyo, ellen.

    don’t worry, if your journalist friends are smart (and i’m sure they are), they’ll make the mental connection to what is happening now when they read the quote and see the name mccarthy.

    don’t tell them how to interpret this ellen. they’ll figure it out.

    btw, these are actual quotes from edward r. murrow himself that was used in the film “good night and good luck”.

    and if you liked that last quote, here’s one more:

    “Last week, Senator McCarthy appeared on this program to correct any errors he might have thought we made in our report of March th. Since he made no reference to any statements of fact that we made, we must conclude that he found no errors of fact.

    He proved again that anyone who exposes him anyone who doesn’t share his disregard for decency and human dignity and the rights guaranteed by the Constitution must be either a Communist or a fellow traveler.

    I fully expected this treatment.

    The Senator added this reporter’s name to a long list of individuals and institutions he has accused of serving the Communist cause.

    His proposition is very simple: anyone who criticizes or opposes Senator McCarthy’s methods must be a Communist.

    And if that be true, there are an awful lot of Communists in the USA.”

    — edward r. murrow

  25. jinxies jinxies

    07 March 2006

    De brux, if I am not mistaken, RP is a member of the ICC in the hague.

  26. a de brux a de brux

    Ellen,

    That’s what I thought. So, there you go. Human Rights victims (members of the press being intimidated, etc.) can actually file a criminal case against Gloria.

    I suggest that the case, if ever one is filed should focus on ONE person – GLORIA in order not to blur the case.

    Estrada himself could file a separate suit.

  27. DJB, what happened to your classmate, Mike Enriquez. My friends who saw his interview with GMA said he was “kadiri”. Imagine addressing GMA as “mahal naming pangulo”. That is not done in democratic countries. Could you imagine Larry King addressing Bush, “our dear president”. Ngeek. North Korea and China, yes.

    Actually Arroyo dealt his credibility a kiss of death when she praised him. If he were a true journalist, he should have squirmed in embarrassment.

  28. a de brux a de brux

    Hehehe!

    He probably got frightened Gloria might bash him on the head with a General Order no. 5.

  29. mattdls mattdls

    Isusunod na kaya nila ang Malaya lalo na ang journalist nito hindi ba kayo natatakot dahil ang alam ko sobra na kayo yata eh lalo na si ellen tordesillas totoo ba ang pinaglalaban ninyong demokrasya.

  30. peacer051 peacer051

    To Mattdls,

    Ikaw, may ipinaglalaban ka na bang demokrasya? Anong klaseng demokrasya yon? At sinong takot kay gloria, mga duwag lang ang takot sa kanya. Ipinagmamalaki mo ba siya? Puro siya kasinungalingan. VERY BAD EXAMPLE!

    Only truth sets us free!

  31. johnmarzan johnmarzan

    i’m sorry for the poor choice of words in my last edward murrow post, ellen. i was trying to be funny, but it didn’t come out right.

  32. a de brux a de brux

    Diego K Guerrero,

    Sorry, delayed reaction but I just noticed your post.

    You mean the Pidals might sue me for say, defamation or slander (I guess not libel cause I’m not a bona-fide Philippine journalist)?

    I wish they would but they gotta take their case here and I’ll take them to the European freedom of speech and expression arena. My MPs (Members of Parliament) will have a field day cross-examining and humiliating them.

    I challenge them to do that! But Pidalism is looked at very, very badly here – they will lose without my even having to bat an eyelash.

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