While going through my old computer files, I saw this note I wrote to my classmates in a Media Literacy graduate class four years ago:
*
“For some reasons, I could not record the TV news programs. So, as an academic exercise prelude to my report this coming Thursday, may I ask the class to watch closely the news programs regarding the AFP assault on the MILF at Pikit and other areas in Cotabato as well as the US war against Iraq. Please keep in mind the following: Who are the sources? (military, MILF, people, etc.), Is there any explanation about the cause of the incident? Are the explanations credible? Who are the sources for the explanations?, etc.
Tonight, in GMA-7, Mike Enriquez said that the UN inspection team has reported their findings and said, “at ito ang sinabi ni Blix”. Blix was then shown speaking before the UN body. He said that Iraq has given them access to all the sites, including presidential and private places as well as to sites previously not included in the list and that such access remains.” Blix seemed very positive. But before Blix could say the findings, Enriquez interrupted the clip and said that the UN expects to find Saddam guilty of creating biological and nuclear weapons, etc.
Enriquez’s report seemed antithetical to what Blix was saying.
In the case of the Cotabato war, all news coverage was from military sources. The announcer of Channel 2 was even walking hand in hand with Sec. Angelo Reyes. In Alec Bacolodan’s report, he and his crew were shown going to Bullioc, the center of fighting. He said that there is now proof that Bullioc is the “war factory” of the MILF. The camera showed some foxholes and one RPG missile that did not explode. But there was no “war factory” shown at all.
In a related event, UP held a discussion / symposium on the US war on Iraq. President Nemenzo sent a memo to the UP community urging them to protest the war. The Chancellor sent a memo for teachers to excuse the students who would attend the symposium followed by a candle-lit march for peace. I went there. It was pitiful. There were very few students. Nemenzo and other professors and students spoke. A paper by Nemenzo entitled “Hands off Iraq” distributed there, Nemenzo wrote:
“If the peoples of the world applaud him as our government does, Bush will be encouraged to attack the other elements of what he calls the “axis of evil”. The Texas cowboy seems bent on intervening wherever US power is challenged. North Korea and Cuba may be next in line. Peace is the unlikely outcome of such an adventure. It is more likely to foment religious discord and a wave of retaliatory actions.
Let it not be said the UP stood silent as the Bush-fire grows into conflagration.”
With the pitiful number of students in attendance in that symposium and candle-lit march, it seems like it CAN be said that UP stood silent. In fact, although channel 7 was there to cover the event, it was not shown on TV.
What happened to UP students? This is not the UP I once knew.
Hope everyone had a nice Valentine’s Day celebration. The College of Music had a nice Valentine program of Jazz music and dinner al fresco.” 15/2/03
***
What I wrote then is still very relevant today. It shows how blatantly the Press distort reality.
Most reports regarding the Moros have one source - Armed Forces of the Philippines. Sometimes, Malacanang officials are the sources. In fact, the Press is not allowed to cover military action in Mindanao on the grounds that it is “dangerous”.
The editorializing of news presenters / anchors / reporters is quite common. And sometimes, as exemplified by the example on Mike Enriquez, the presenters lie. Blix and the UN did not find “Saddam guilty of creating biological and nuclear weapons,..” .And as we now all know, Messrs. Bush and Blair lied to the people about Saddam’s “weapons of mass destruction.” Enriquez’s actions were part of the Media’s “weapons of Mass Deception.”
Stories like Bacolodan’s report abound. Once I saw a news feature which showed a purportedly abandoned Abu Sayyaf lair. The reporter said that evidence of highly sophisticated bomb materials were found all over area. The camera showed cans of paints. What was sophisticated about cans of paints? Can they even be made into bombs?
As for UP’s apathy, the Nemenzo days were the good old days. Nemenzo was a principled activist. His successor is something else. She would never excuse students so they can attend meaningful discussion on very important issues. But she would exempt everyone from classes in order to attend something like a Lantern Parade. Roman has made UP even more expensive than some private schools. The undiscounted tuition for incoming students now reaches 1,500 pesos per unit! And the students are not even up in arms about it.
As for Valentine’s Day, here’s wishing everyone a Happy Valentine!
