DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: May you remember this day (May 5) as the death of press freedom. May you also remember one of the most important lessons in journalism: In the absence of press freedom, it is our collective responsibility to fight for it.
HISTORY: In 1986, Marcos defeats a widow in an election marred by fraud, Filipinos oust Marcos and UP wins UAAP basketball championship. In 2022, Marcos defeats a widow in an election marred by fraud, UP wins UAAP basketball championship. Let's create the "most exciting part."
DEAR UPD STUDENTS ENROLLED IN J 110 WRV, J 117 WWX AND COMM 110 HWX: Synchronous classes are suspended this week. Instead of Zoom, let us make the streets our bigger classroom. (Two choices: Fight me or imitate me.)
BABALA: Sabi ni Roque sa mga estudyante ng AdMU na nagdesisyong mag-mass protest, "Babagsak kayo!" Aba, siya na pala ang tagapagsalita ng mga gurong magtatakda ng pinal na grado. Simpleng mensahe sa mga estudyante ko sa UPD at PUP: "Ngayong semestre, iba ang ibabagsak natin!"
ONLINE CLASSROOM POLICY: During an online session, perhaps we should not require students to turn on their cameras for two reasons: (1) Less data transfer if they just use audio; and (2) No need to know what their house or room looks like. We should suspect less and trust more.
JOURN SUGGESTION: Let us always describe the 17th President as the "dictator's son." This is how we fight historical denialism that this regime wants to normalize and institutionalize. History should remember him as the dictator's son. He is, after all, the dictator's son.
GOOD AND BAD WRITING: Good writers prefer simple words. Bad writers use highfalutin words in a circumlocutory sentence to hide the reality of which they have no comprehension, only a supercilious disdain for the hoi polloi.
UAAP ANALOGY: UP beating Ateneo shows that the 2nd placer can beat the frontrunner. However, let us not compare UP to Robredo and Ateneo to Marcos. This is an insult to Ateneo which has no tolerance for mediocrity and thievery.
STOP THE SEM: The typhoons should be our wake-up call. The national government failed to provide an enabling environment for remote learning. "No one left behind" is just empty rhetoric as the powers that be continue to leave us to our own devices. Stop the semester now.
THESIS TEA: Prior to the pandemic, an unwritten rule at a university somewhere in Manila is to have students defending their thesis provide food for the panelists. This unwritten rule results in an alarming pattern: The better the food, the higher the grade.
MISSING: ABS-CBN used to be the only TV station that reached certain areas of the country. Those who claim that there still exists thousands of news media organizations conveniently forget the usefulness of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group. Two words: Duterte legacy.
JUST TO BE CLEAR: Duterte is wrong. The Lopezes are part of the oligarchy but they do not really control the economy. In terms of wealth and influence, "credit" goes to the Villars, not to mention others who are frequent visitors of Malacañan Palace.
PHILIPPINE TIME: Two activists are arrested a few hours ago. For the rest of the world, this is called human rights violation. Here in the Philippines, this is called Sunday morning.
"APOLOGY" TO SMNI: It is a mistake for me and others to say that SMNI engages in irresponsible journalism. Please be careful with diction. Perhaps a more accurate statement is that SMNI does not practice journalism at all. Why? One cannot practice what one does not know.
DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: Remember May 5 (ABS-CBN's closure and Cornelio Pepino's murder), June 15 (Santos and Ressa's cyberlibel conviction) and July 10 (ABS-CBN's denial of franchise). These are the death knells for press freedom and democracy. Our one-word lesson: Fight!
CHALLENGE: UP faculty and alumni who are Duterte's top-level officials should denounce Lorenzana's letter terminating the 1989 accord. This disregards everything that UP stands for. Should they remain silent, a six-word question: Where is your honor and excellence?
ETHICS 101: Is it unethical to leak a video clip of a private meeting with government officials? The answer is No, if the objective is to expose wrongdoing and abusive behavior of those publicly accountable.
BLIND ITEM: Last month, a certain DDS and I were supposed to guest on national television regarding the forced closure of ABS-CBN. An hour or so before airing, I was informed that this DDS suddenly became unavailable. Why am I posting this on a Sunday? This DDS is a priest.
(1/3) DEAR JOURN, COMM AND MEDIA STUDENTS: Want to make a difference? Bring to KBP's attention cases of irresponsible reportage. Perhaps you can start with SMNI and Net 25. Here's how to do it. (continued)
YUP: It's not true that there are two movies about Martial Law that will be shown next week. One is about Martial Law worth watching, another is about distortions worth ignoring. To lump them together as if they both adhere to artistic story-telling is a disservice to filmmaking.
ADVISORY: KBP officials confirm that SMNI and Net 25 are members of KBP. They should therefore comply with the KBP Broadcast Code, particularly on responsible news reportage and commentary. Want to file a complaint? Please fill out this form ().
MIDNIGHT TEA: In organizing interviews and debates among presidential aspirants, news media organizations should choose the most credible panelists. A "journalist" who was accused of plagiarism and was forced to apologize for being a Duterte supporter is definitely not credible.
1989: As a news writer of the Philippine Collegian, I remember the abduction of our staff Donato Continente on the night of June 16 at Vinzons Hall. He was tortured and forced to confess to the killing of Col. James Rowe. This is why the UP-DND accord was signed 14 days later.
TECHNICAL WRITING 101: From an editorial standpoint, the press statement today from Makati Medical Center (MMC) proves that: (1) a technical writing output is readable if it's factual, analytical and confrontational; and (2) livid doctors make excellent writers.
DEAR STUDENT DENIED ADMISSION TO UP: Out of more than 100,000 applicants, fewer than 15,000 got in. Budgetary constraints prevent UP from admitting more students. A higher budget would have worked well for you and others. Keep this in mind. You did not fail. The state failed you.
UNSOLICITED ADVICE TO KATHNIEL FANS: A DDS lawyer is now cyber-bullying
@BernardoKath
, trying his best to get a body-shaming hashtag to trend. He deserves the ultimate socmed "punishment": (1) Ignominy by not naming him; and (2) Condemnation by mass reporting and blocking him.
JOURNO DICTION: Calling the soon-to-be-proclaimed President a "dictator's son" is factual. Calling the second placer "lugaw, lutang, boba" is not. If you don't understand, then you don't know Journalism, much less History. It's either you know nothing or you deny everything.
UP DILIMAN (August 20): Standing in front of the AS steps, a three-year old asks her father, "Why are they marching?" He pretends not to be surprised. And she asks again, "Why are they shouting? Are they upset?" The father answers, "Are you ready? Your education starts now."
@kringkringhuang
@jmscbng
@lenirobredo
This is neither news nor opinion reportage but a shameless hack job. Thank you for giving me another case study for my ethics class.
POLITICAL RULE OF THUMB: An official who lambasts professionals who are just trying to send an urgent message should either apologize or resign. Refusal to do so reflects absence of both honor and excellence.
MIDNIGHT TEA: In the early years of the Duterte administration, I accepted the PCOO's invitation to help reorganize the PNA. Pushing for genuine editorial independence, I drafted the concept paper/department order. Ironically, the PNA I tried to help is now red-tagging me.
FOR YOUR INFO: The country does not have a public information system. Government media like PTV do not have editorial independence, just presidential dependence. Instead of journalism, they only engage in PR (e.g. try to count the number of times they say "mahal na Pangulo").
NASAAN NA? Where is ABS-CBN RNG when it is needed most? People are being deprived of information on what's happening in hard-to-reach areas. Yes, other news media organizations also give updates but these are not enough. Blame the information gap on Duterte and the shameless 70.
LESSON FROM US COVERAGE: When ABC, CBS and NBC decided to stop the live coverage of Trump's press briefing, it was because of his baseless claims of voter fraud. In the Philippines, it is time to rethink the news media organizations' live coverage of Duterte's ramblings.
DEAREST DDS: You should organize your own mass action celebrating ABS-CBN's shutdown. Then again, this may not be a good idea. You can't mobilize people. Why? You don't have warm bodies. You only have cold hearts.
URGENT MESSAGE TO MY UPD STUDENTS (J 117, J 122 and J 201): The decision today (April 16) of the BOR to approve the PAC recommendations DOES NOT change my decision to waive all requirements and give you a grade of Pass. Focus now on your bigger personal and political challenges.
UPD FYI: At the University Council meeting this morning, it appears that this graduating batch has 1,433 students graduating with Latin honors (i.e., 634 cum laude, 652 magna cum laude and 147 summa cum laude). Congratulations but we should seriously discuss grade hyperinflation.
DEAR "MB": To publish a report of an "armed encounter" solely quoting the AFP is unacceptable. To include a picture of a bloodied corpse, also coming from the AFP, makes it worse. Are you still part of the Fourth Estate? Or are you now part of the AFP's PR unit?
JOURNALISTIC QUESTIONING: Instead of asking something like "Are you a communist?", try asking something like "How does red-tagging affect you?" The latter is reflective, the former is just simply idiotic.
UPDATE: Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa resigns as Executive Vice President of the University of the Philippines (UP) System, as announced tonight in the university's verified Twitter account. Let us sum this up in four words: Public pressure works wonders.
UPD GENERATION GAP: There are students who think that a final grade of 1.75 is very low. Certain self-entitled ones even demand a higher grade because they talk a lot in class. Decades ago, a 1.75 encircled on our class card already deserves a bonfire at the Sunken Garden.
ROLE REVERSAL: Contemporaries Alan and Mike used to be student leaders serving the downtrodden. They are now House leaders serving the tyrant. Colleague Harry used to defend civil liberties. He now defends social injustices. One-word question: Why? Two-word question: How much?
CLARIFYING MASS REPORTING: Reporting a Facebook page that spreads "fake news" is NOT censorship. It is a way of asking Facebook to exercise responsible gatekeeping. Just like editors rejecting badly written articles, taking down an erring page is responsible socmed practice.
DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: Remember the journalists who support the closure of ABS-CBN. They will always be our case study. To be the best you can be, you must know the worst you cannot be.
BIAS 101: Journalists asking hard questions are NOT biased. If you are looking for biased journalists, look for the ones who wine and dine with the rich and powerful after asking softball questions. Clue: Marami sa kanila'y nasa Intramuros.
PANDEMIC LEARNING: Honor and excellence should not conflict with compassion and undertanding. Academic ease is not about lowering standards but giving students more time to focus on what's important: Protecting our families by protesting failed policies.
DEAR UPD STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COURSES I'M HANDLING: These are our rules during online sessions: (1) Use your mic or chat box when reciting. (2) Never ever start with "Respect my opinion." (3) Tell the whole world that our Zoom password for the entire semester is "NoToMarcos."
QUICK LESSON IN JOURNALISM ETHICS: In reporting fatalities of certain events like "armed encounters," disclosing the names is done ONLY IF the family already knows about the loved one's death. To just simply quote from, say, the military is irresponsible and reprehensible.
ABS-CBN HISTORY: When ABS-CBN was first shut down in 1972 at the onset of Martial Law, a Marcos crony named Roberto Benedicto took over. And now that the second closure of the network looms in the horizon, will another crony take over? Will Duterte say, "Ganern? Uy!"
STATING THE OBVIOUS: ABS-CBN is 100 percent Filipino-owned. If dual citizens can vote and run for public office, why is dual citizenship suddenly a problem when it comes to media ownership? Only a mindless troll would make an issue out of a non-issue.
DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: Heed the call to defend press freedom. You cannot practice responsibly amid the impunity and tyranny. Please be angry. Please protest. Please resist. That is part of your ethical obligation as students.
UP NAMING MAHAL BLASPHEMY: What is the most "blasphemous" thing you can ever do to the country's national university? Being pictured wearing the Sablay on your left while doing a Duterte fist bump with your right.
JOURN 101: If you blame Zambrano for provoking the Chinese and causing an international incident, here's a reminder: As much as possible, journalists need to be physically at an event to make better sense of the reality. While you can cite her bravery, she was just doing her job.
"TROLLING" ABS-CBN: The DDS army is happy with the impending closure of the network they so hated. Just remember: The dictator who ordered the closure of ABS-CBN in 1972 was removed from office. To quote George Santayana: "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it"
"BLIND" ITEM: Husband gets frequencies previously assigned to a network. Wife sits in the Senate. Daughter sits at the HOR (even votes to kill network). Son used to be DPWH secretary (now senatorial candidate) and his wife is still DOJ undersecretary. Duterte know this, right?
FEARLESS FORECAST: (1) ABS-CBN's franchise shall be granted because of public pressure. (2) The 70 legislators who voted to deny it shall be forever branded as enemies of press freedom and democracy. (3) More people will see the importance of both journalism and activism.
EDITING HERBOSA: Thank you to Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, EVP of the UP System (at least for now), for giving us a good case study for an online discussion with NCPAG students on digital media and governance this afternoon. (see screenshot)
DOLOMITE CONTEXTUAL COVERAGE: Is it appropriate for news media organizations to check what is happening to the "white sand" at Manila Bay? Yes, if only to expose the idiocy of spending close to P400 million for beautification as we face a deadly virus and a super typhoon.
QUICK MESSAGE TO KATHNIEL FANS: If DDS trolls claim that mass reporting is censorship, please remind them that what you're doing is responsible gatekeeping. Please sustain the
#WeBlockAsOne
campaign. In the future, is it possible for us to unite in defending press freedom?
REMINDER: As teachers, we have the prerogative to reduce academic requirements. It is also up to us how to grade students. May we all realize that this semester of "remote learning" is a failed experiment resulting from the national government's indifference and incompetence.
JOURNALISM 101: Roque crosses the line in publicly humiliating
@CNNPhilippines
reporter
@TriciahTerada
. If he had a problem with her report yesterday, he should called the attention of CNN Philippines immediately AFTER the report was aired. So unprofessional of him!
REMINDER: We don't teach journalism students how to create sponsored posts and product placements (especially stealth advertising) simply because they have no place in journalism. Case study: MOA Globe.
LET THIS SINK IN: With the court ruling, the "theory of continuous publication" makes it possible for all online articles (even those uploaded in the 1990s) to be evaluated for violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. Chilling? Yes!
DEAR UPD STUDENTS: If someone says that mass promotion is "unethical and immoral" because quality of education cannot be compromised despite the pandemic, you should remind this person that education regardless of discipline has sense of compassion, not just atomist discussion.
SHAMELESS: Villar's Advanced Media getting frequencies previously assigned to ABS-CBN is anomalous. A Villar at the HOR voted against ABS-CBN's franchise. Another Villar at the Senate is largely pro-administration. Yet another Villar was in the Cabinet and is running for Senator.
UPD MOCKED STUDENTS: It appears that the dictator's son got 26 votes at the Pulso ng Diliman: The UP Diliman 2022 Mock Elections (President). I only have two questions at this point: (1) Why was it not ZERO? (2) What were our 26 students thinking? (I hope they're not from CMC!)
Dear UP Alumni Association: Allowing the Marcoses and the organizers of the Kabataang Barangay reunion to rent the UP Bahay ng Alumni last Saturday is not an exercise of plurality, neutrality or inclusivity. It merely reflects your ignorance of history and abandonment of memory.
PUBLIC SHAMING "ETHICS": (1) Criticize the action, not the person. (2) Analyze the institution, system, culture and tradition as you call out the questionable action. (3) Make sure your criticism is constructive, not destructive. (4) You should focus on the rich and powerful.
DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: Teacher says, "In journalism, there's no good news or bad news. There's just simply news." Tonight's case study: "PNP chief Sinas tests positive for COVID-19" Pop quiz: Is your teacher right? And why that elongated smile?
DEAR UP OFFICIALS: "Move the Semester" is the most realistic solution to what many of our students and faculty are going through right now. Some schools have adjusted their academic calendars. We should do the same. Please let us not pretend to be academically resilient.
DEAREST STUDENTS OF THE WORLD: It usually takes four years to earn a baccalaureate degree in journalism. So let us sum up the most important lesson based on what is happening in the Philippines: To be a good journalist tomorrow, you have to be the best activist now.
FOR THE RECORD: Remulla is wrong. Aquino's libel case against Beltran in 1987 was roundly criticized as an attack on media. I should know. Beltran was a lecturer at UP CMC (then called IMC) where I was a journalism student. Our teachers then devoted a lot of time to discuss this.
CYBERLIBEL GUILTY VERDICT: The death warrant on press freedom and democracy has been signed. To insist that Rappler's ordeal is an isolated case is to ignore the systematic attacks on media.
DEAR PCOO: You accuse
@MariaRessa
of spreading "fake news" when she said ABS-CBN has 11 million employees (not 11,000). This is an honest mistake, in the same way you once referred to Norway as Norwegia and published editor's notes in PNA headlines. Remember your own mistakes?
TO RENEW OR NOT TO RENEW: ABS-CBN's fate will be decided by majority of legislators who know nothing about the journalism (theoretical, empirical and normative dimensions) but know a lot about tyranny (hysterical, illogical and ungrammatical connections).
JOURNALISM 101: How can some journalists and news media organizations accept hook, line and sinker the false narrative of "rescue operation"? To report critically is responsible journalism. To quote blindly is pro-government public relations.
FACT-CHECKING: In analyzing NTC's May 5 press statement, please note that RA 7966 which granted the franchise to ABS-CBN only covers channel 2 (free TV), DZMM (AM station) and MOR (FM station). Other ABS-CBN-affiliated stations should not be affected. Be that as it way, we fight!
FOR THE RECORD: Jokingly, Zarate is the best alumnus UP never had. Seriously, he graduated from NDDU and AdDU so these Mindanao-based universities should be very proud. His defense of ABS-CBN's franchise may be rooted in his being a human rights lawyer, activist and journalist.
CHILDREN AND PARENTS: If a son or daughter criticizes a parent's reprehensible political stand (e.g., ABS-CBN's franchise issue), it's not just a case of children going against parents. It should be seen as the youth's realization that there's a bigger family worth fighting for.
HARD QUESTION: Marcoleta is a party-list representative who is supposed to be an advocate for the urban poor. Simple question: Is there a widespread clamor from the urban poor to shut down ABS-CBN?
DEAR PROF: Even if there is no official directive on ending the semester, you can decide on your own to end online discussions and waive academic requirements. Courses with deparmental exams need coordination with colleagues but it can be worked out. Two words: Academic freedom.
PERSONAL STATEMENT: The guilty verdict on Ressa and Santos sends a chilling effect not just on journalists but on all people. After ABS-CBN and Rappler, you (yes, YOU!) could be next. Cyberlibel is as real as the theory of continuing publication. They are weaponized to repress.
DEAR JOURNALISM STUDENTS: If and when the dictator's son is proclaimed, please light a candle tonight as a reminder that democracy, no matter how shackled, can still exist in darkness. You just need to keep the torch of press freedom burning.
TRICK QUESTION: What do you call a journalist who is a special envoy, gets himself vaccinated ahead of medical frontliners and wants to be a distributor for an important vaccine? Is there a word stronger than "shameless" and "unethical" (one that begins with the letter T)?
NOCTURNAL TEA: That news anchor for a "cultist" network used to be a reporter for another network. He got the boot for reportorial dishonesty involving a missing boy. As other reputable media refused to hire him, he ended up with this "cultist network" that specializes in spins.
MILITARY AS JOURNO SOURCE: Using a press release as sole basis for breaking news is bad practice. First, where is data verification? Second, is the military a reliable source of information (considering red-tagging)? Third, haven't you learned anything from journalism school?
LIGHTS ON: Students who don't have a hunger for reading will end up devoid of critical analysis. Universities should ensure that libraries are open (24/7 if possible). Teachers should make the full texts required readings (not just the summary or TikTok version). No more excuses.
QUICK STATEMENT: Make no mistake about it. The marching order to deny the ABS-CBN's franchise comes not just from the House leadership but also from Malacañan Palace. HOR may have made the decision but the fight is not over. The struggle for press freedom remains.
ETHICS 101: Yes, plagiarism is unacceptable. Yes, a news media organization's public apology and promise to do better next time are most welcome. However, publicly naming the erring reporter without identifying the responsible editors is wrong. Two words: Command responsibility.
UP CONTEXT: The original accord was signed between student leader Sonia Soto and defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile in 1982. It was updated by UP President Jose Abueva and DND Secretary Fidel Ramos in 1989. It essentially disallows military and police presence on campus.
JOURNALISM 101: Avoid "false balance." Do not give space or airtime to "fake news" purveyors like red-taggers. But if your editors compel you to do so, please make sure that all lies, misinformation and disinformation are clearly debunked. Fight for the truth (not post-truth).
7 THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME AS A STUDENT AT UP (late 80s, early 90s): (1) Answered exam in Baybayin; (2) Wrote essay in Spanish; (3) Debated in French; (4) Slept at Sunken Garden; (5) Wore slippers in class; (6) Injured at a rally dispersal; and (7) NEVER recruited by the NPA.
ANTI-MASS PROMOTION? Students who are against mass promotion at UPD could be (1) running for honors so they are grade-conscious; (2) reducing learning to classroom experience; (3) dismissive of P as it represents mediocrity; and (4) oblivious to the impact of the pandemic.
UP CHALLENGE: In the absence of mass testing and mass vaccination, Cabinet-level officials who graduated from UP should initiate a mass resignation. How can you claim to uphold honor and excellence if you continue to justify incompetence and mediocrity?