Tag: rappler

Today’s “fake news” is revenge for 30 years of Yellow lies and hypocrisy

March 16, 2017 benign0 12 Comments

According to the Inquirer Editor, camps aligned (loosely or tightly) with the Philippines’ Opposition are “fighting back”. Leading this “fight”, they claim, is “vice president” Leni Robredo who has seemingly taken it up upon herself to serve as the Opposition’s mouthpiece from within Malacanang. Robredo’s jump-off point for this new “assault” on “fake news” and…

Media, Politics, Society

People are asking the WRONG questions about Rappler’s financial performance

February 3, 2017 benign0 5 Comments

Some buzz of late has surrounded “social news network” site Rappler in light of “explosive” revelations issued by blogger Thinking Pinoy in his analysis of financial statements “leaked” to him by pals from the Philippines’ Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The main aspects of Rey Joseph Nieto’s a.k.a. Thinking Pinoy‘s analysis of these documents that…

Media, Politics

Mainstream media needs to evolve – or face extinction

November 5, 2016 benign0 19 Comments

At the core of the crisis gripping mainstream media and mainstream “thought leadership” in the Philippines is the way ordinary Filipinos remain trapped in social hierarchy. Rather than encourage debate that focuses on the merit of the ideas and arguments tabled, Filipinos lazily defer to rank, credential, and seniority. This is no thanks, of course,…

Media, Society

What happens to Filipinos when they can no longer “make sumbong”?

October 25, 2016October 25, 2016 FallenAngel 2 Comments

There is something to be said about Filipinos and their ability to engage opponents fairly. In a fair engagement, you recognize the situation and the position you’re currently in, and assess them. You discuss possible options. You recall your strengths and weaknesses, and how to use the former for leverage, and how to best minimize…

Civics, Culture, Politics, Society

The hypocrisy in the petition to shut down Mocha Uson’s Facebook page

October 24, 2016October 25, 2016 benign0 11 Comments

A petition to suspend the Facebook page of Mocha Uson, a Filipino celebrity blogger and staunch supporter of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, is making the rounds. The Suspend Mocha Uson Blog Facebook Page on Change.org has, as of this writing, attracted almost 26,000 signatories with the following write up set to be “delivered” to Facebook….

Media, Politics, Society, Tech Talk

IATROGENICS: Why Rappler is Becoming a Victim of Its Own Medicine

October 20, 2016October 25, 2016 Marcus 26 Comments

Hashtags: #TakeBackMariaRessa #OmidyarNetwork I can only feel for Maria Ressa. Her motherly interest to defend her team from criticism resulted in more harm rather than good. Nassim Nicholas Taleb comes to mind. He coined the the term “naive interventionism”, from iatrogenics in the medical field. Iatrogenics is a case wherein a…

Media, Politics, Science

Rashomon Effect: The Self-serving Interest of Mainstream Media and the People

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 Marcus 46 Comments

This is in response to Maria Ressa’s comment on a post dated October 5, 2016. John, sino ba’ng hindi gustong magkaisa? Understand we all live in the Philippines, and every policy affects each and every Filipino. I think we differ in critical thinking and the role of journalism: we believe that no matter who’s in…

Government, Media, Politics, Technology

According to Maria Ressa, an army of bots, sock puppets and a sexy blogger is terrorising Rappler

October 11, 2016 benign0 35 Comments

So is there really an army of “bots” that rampage through the Internet “trolling” social media and attacking hapless corporate news media sites? According to Maria Ressa, CEO of “social news media” site Rappler, there really is such an army of darkness. Ressa insists that we are in the midst of a “propaganda war” and…

Culture, Media, Politics