Aquino tells media: Ratings should not sacrifice fairness

MANILA—In covering the news, Philippine media were urged to balance their reporting by not prioritizing bad news for the sake of ratings and increased readership.

President Benigno Aquino III issued the appeal in a keynote speech delivered during the 16th National Press Forum held by the Philippine Press Institute at the Trader’s Hotel in Manila last Monday.

“I’m not asking that you invent stories to deodorize the government. But if we balance the news and think of how every word can affect the lives of every Filipino, we can be sure that we can easily reach our collective aspirations for the country,” the President said in Filipino.

In his speech, President Aquino questioned whether the Philippine media held fast on its principles of fair and balanced reporting following the spate of negative new stories that come out on an almost daily basis.

The President said media was practically turned into a human tape recorder before it was restored by the People Power Revolution in 1986.

“Maybe it would be fair to ask if you have upheld your principles and ensure your credibility by weighing the situation and being committed to getting accurate figures and details. Does the principle of ‘get it first but get it right’ remain or it is replaced by ‘get it first, make sure that the story sells and if the information is wrong, just apologize?,” Aquino said.

The President bewailed the spate of news stories that cast a negative light on his administration ranging from a state visit of an Emir of Qatar that was supposedly cut short to even his persona life.

In contrast, Mr. Aquino noted how international publications voiced their approval over the country’s stance against China in its ongoing dispute over the Spratlys Islands.

The PPI National Press Forum attended by representatives of national and community newspapers around the country centered on the theme “Media Accountability and Public Engagement.”