It think that it is not late for me to say something about this particular topic. Anyways, I thought I must share what I feel during the Makati Standoff. Anyways this is my blog, and I ought to write what I wanted to write even if its passè.
I thought that the government reacted rather strongly to the standoff led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes and General Danilo Lim. Looking at positive side, I think that they just made sure that they will capture these men who were embarking again on another coup d'etat. But the thing that really had my eyes glued to the television was how the military and police treated the media. When I first heard the news, I was right that they will react rather harshly, but never, did I imagine, oppression of journalists was one of them.
I have always considered our country to be blessed with the freest press. As Thomas Jefferson had said, it is a necessary evil in our government. And although our journalists here are adversarial in nature, they are just bringing to the truth and shedding light on matter that needs public opinion. Gifted with the freedom to do so, as what the constitution provides, what happened to them still remained a surprise for me even now.
Our press here might be delinquent, in covering a certain event, and it's a part of them to be like that if they will bring real news. They were given a right to cover Trillanes and Co.'s trial. And when the leaders of the standoff already walked out, I believe that they believe to bring this event to light. To the public who needs to be informed with the latest events. They were not prohibited from the premises and so I think that they were not doing anything wrong. This is their job, their profession and their passion.
As for obstruction of justice, that was another talk. I have already mentioned that they are delinquent, insisting to cover certain happenings even if it cost their lives, but I think that the police and military did not treat them like that. It was like showing them that you do not have the right to share with the people what were happening. They were hurt, if you have seen the live videos, they were pushed, shoved aside, and the worse, handcuffed. Considering the events that happened after the famous or rather infamous failed rebellion, I almost felt like martial law was coming.
But I do not want to deviate from the limelight of journalists' momentary oppression. Their arranged dialogue raised hopes for me as it will bring settlement and compromise between the police and the journalists. But I was wrong. The said dialogue just went for naught.
I could not justify if what the press had done on that event was right or wrong. But in this democratic country, our journalists are of vital importance because how free or non-partisan they are, defines how democratic our country is. They are the messengers of truth, and I stand with them on bringing the real scoop even if that means risking their lives and walking across the lines. I share the same belief with them, informing the public with anything but just truth. What happened recently is a major threat to the right to inform by the press, as provided by the constitution, and what really makes me afraid is that one day I'll just wake up and see that the press are harassed for bringing the information to Filipinos.
Question: would you like a government without press or press without government?
I thought that the government reacted rather strongly to the standoff led by Sen. Antonio Trillanes and General Danilo Lim. Looking at positive side, I think that they just made sure that they will capture these men who were embarking again on another coup d'etat. But the thing that really had my eyes glued to the television was how the military and police treated the media. When I first heard the news, I was right that they will react rather harshly, but never, did I imagine, oppression of journalists was one of them.
I have always considered our country to be blessed with the freest press. As Thomas Jefferson had said, it is a necessary evil in our government. And although our journalists here are adversarial in nature, they are just bringing to the truth and shedding light on matter that needs public opinion. Gifted with the freedom to do so, as what the constitution provides, what happened to them still remained a surprise for me even now.
Our press here might be delinquent, in covering a certain event, and it's a part of them to be like that if they will bring real news. They were given a right to cover Trillanes and Co.'s trial. And when the leaders of the standoff already walked out, I believe that they believe to bring this event to light. To the public who needs to be informed with the latest events. They were not prohibited from the premises and so I think that they were not doing anything wrong. This is their job, their profession and their passion.
As for obstruction of justice, that was another talk. I have already mentioned that they are delinquent, insisting to cover certain happenings even if it cost their lives, but I think that the police and military did not treat them like that. It was like showing them that you do not have the right to share with the people what were happening. They were hurt, if you have seen the live videos, they were pushed, shoved aside, and the worse, handcuffed. Considering the events that happened after the famous or rather infamous failed rebellion, I almost felt like martial law was coming.
But I do not want to deviate from the limelight of journalists' momentary oppression. Their arranged dialogue raised hopes for me as it will bring settlement and compromise between the police and the journalists. But I was wrong. The said dialogue just went for naught.
I could not justify if what the press had done on that event was right or wrong. But in this democratic country, our journalists are of vital importance because how free or non-partisan they are, defines how democratic our country is. They are the messengers of truth, and I stand with them on bringing the real scoop even if that means risking their lives and walking across the lines. I share the same belief with them, informing the public with anything but just truth. What happened recently is a major threat to the right to inform by the press, as provided by the constitution, and what really makes me afraid is that one day I'll just wake up and see that the press are harassed for bringing the information to Filipinos.
Question: would you like a government without press or press without government?
Post a Comment