Media: Are we at fault?

Media’s role is to be a watchdog. To be an owl in the dark and an eagle in the light; we, as journalists should always be aware of our surroundings. It is without a doubt that as a watchdog, we are oftentimes receiving unpleasant remarks from the mass and also from the government.

People hate us for not revealing the truth or on the other hand, for stating one. We are always at fault when it comes to everything, especially on politics. We are often called as ‘presstitutes’ by the people when the news is not in favor with them. When it benefits them they praise us, but if not, they despise us and calling us out.

Media is ought to be non-bias, we are not to promote bigotry. What we see is what we write. Sensationalism is a sin to us journalists. Even though we report news that is accurate, people blame us.

One example of this is what Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo stated. She blamed the media for our tourism decline because of our reports about the Extra Judicial Killings.

She added that we, as journalists should “tone down” news about this matter. It was because it doesn’t help build a healthy tourism in Philippines and also it makes it harder to promote our country.

She suggested that media should “help create a more positive image of the country”. Indeed, media is powerful; it can influence anyone that is within its reach. With that being said, if the media is to create a positive façade our country, it can really make a difference.

But the question here is, are we really the one to blame in this matter of tourism decline?

No, we aren’t. The freeze of tourism in our country lies with the economic matter.

Promoting tourist spots alone isn’t enough. We need to make an effort on investing money to upgrade our tourist resources. To make it more appealing and to attract foreigners, Department of Tourism is in need to step up their game and not blame journalists.

As to what stated earlier, media is a watchdog. We don’t make news; we are the messenger of news. So, blaming the journalists for the news they are reporting is plain idiocy. Perhaps if the EJKs and other crimes would stop, media will no longer report on that subject, because how can you make news out of something that doesn’t exist.

Again, to build tourism, we need proper infrastructure and marketing and if this would be realized, without a doubt, many tourists will come here in Philippines.