Tag: journalism

President Aquino needs more than mantras and prayers to be spared from criticism

December 4, 2013March 14, 2014 FallenAngel 80 Comments

Once again, we find Philippine President Benigno Simeon “BS” Aquino III lamenting the “negativism” from the local media: “Negativism has continued in the media. It is as if there is no controversial issue, media coverage becomes boring,” Aquino said in his speech aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan. “There were some who were very good…

Government, Media

What is Rappler’s plan for reform now that Maria Ressa has ‘apologised’?

October 21, 2013 benign0 13 Comments

How sincere is self-described “social news network” Rappler.com in its efforts to reform its ranks? That remains to be seen though, to be fair, it put up a new “Corrections” page where “factual errors and systems infractions” will be listed and, presumably discussed. You wonder though why such a page is even necessary considering that…

Media, Tech Talk

Stay tuned for the next big tele-trial starring Napoles, and Senators Enrile, Estrada, and Revilla!

September 16, 2013 benign0 21 Comments

What goes around comes around. Who gets the laugh for the day really depends on which side is throwing the boomerang. Back in the first half of 2012, the national hysteria of the day swirled around the kangaroo court impeachment trial of then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona following months of systematic demonisation by…

Crime, Media, Politics

Many Philippine politicians are corrupt because Filipinos allow it

August 17, 2013August 19, 2013 Ilda 127 Comments

Philippine society’s dysfunctional culture is evident yet again in the latest scandal involving some members of Philippine Congress and how they channel their Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) or “pork barrel funds” into bogus projects. The fact that a lot of Filipinos have predicted that the main character in this sorry saga, Janet Lim Napoles,…

Crime, Politics

Bloody libel! Janet Lim Napoles versus Maria Ressa’s ‘social news network’ Rappler.com

August 7, 2013July 8, 2022 benign0 68 Comments

Funny how just a short time ago, Rappler.com CEO Maria Ressa was crying bloody libel over Katrina Stuart-Santiago’s article Going to the dogs — an article about the manner with which Ressa’s self-described “social news network” startup precipitated (and possibly encouraged) a broader “ganging up” on the University of Santo Tomas over a perceived favour…

Civics, Media, Politics

Three reasons why Filipinos are not as outraged by Jeane Lim Napoles’s lifestyle as they are by squatters

July 31, 2013 benign0 47 Comments

To be sure, alleged Anak ng Pork socialite Jeane Lim Napoles copped more fame (more like infamy, actually) than she had bargained for thanks to the ironic orgy of self-promotion she engaged in on social media over the last several years. Tough luck for the 23-year-old. Wrong place at the wrong time — kids do…

Civics, Lifestyle, Society

Outrage erupts as Singapore implements licensing for Net news sites!

June 5, 2013June 5, 2013 benign0 10 Comments

The new licensing scheme will require sites with a defined volume of content relating to Singaporean news and current affairs to be issued a license to operate following notification from Singapore’s Media Development Authority (MDA). Under the licensing framework, online news sites will be individually licensed if they (i) report an average of at least…

Media, Tech Talk

D’oh! Inquirer publishes fake TIME Magazine cover featuring PNoy among 100 Most Influential People in the World

April 20, 2013July 7, 2018 benign0 36 Comments

As if it weren’t funny enough. Early today, media watchdog blog Spin Busters broke news of an appalling lapse in editorial rigour by top Philippine broadsheet Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI). Spotted on the front page of the 20th April 2013 edition of the PDI was an image depicting what seems to be the front cover…

Media