The remark of a Malacañang official blaming the media for the recent dip in the satisfaction rating of President Benigno Aquino III has earned the ire of journalists.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Thursday hit the statement of Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. that the decline in Mr. Aquino’s satisfaction rating was mostly “media related,” describing it as a “pathetic attempt” to cover up the President’s blunder over the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao.
READ: Palace blames media for Aquino rating slump
“How many times has the President addressed the nation, each time with a different version of his ‘truth’? And did we not, as is our obligation, truthfully and accurately report on and even disseminate in full the ever changing landscape of his Mamasapano narratives?” the NUJP said in a statement.
In a television interview, Coloma asked the media to cooperate with the government in sharing factual information to Filipinos.
“We are hoping that through disseminating correct and truthful information, Filipinos can thoroughly understand the position of the government,” Coloma said.
But the NUJP hit back and said it was Malacañang who was continuing to refuse to disseminate correct and truthful information.
“There is a reason the media are called the Fourth Estate—checks and balances—an essential ingredient for democracy. And no, while you may wish it so, we exist not to sing your praises when you do well but to help watch that you are faithful to your sworn duties and to report and even chastise you when you fail to do so,” the NUJP said. RC
RELATED STORIES
Mamasapano sinks Aquino rating
SWS: Aquino satisfaction rating hits all-time low
Aquino gabsters, not media, blamed for plunging ratings