MANILA – President Benigno Aquino again said his administration will continue to work to stop attacks on members of the press until this number reaches zero.
Speaking to members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines, Aquino said things have changed since the martial law years, as the country has returned to democratic rule. “We no longer live in a country where the media is muzzled, or where the government tries to impose its will on journalists,” he said.
He said his administration has been in active pursuit of all those who have committed extralegal killings, including those involving media, and the public can already see the effects of the government’s efforts.
“We have made high-profile arrests, recently, most prominently that of retired (army) Major General Jovito Palparan for alleged violations of human rights,” Aquino said.
He said there is also a significant reduction of recorded or validated extralegal killings, from a total of 168 during the Arroyo government to 42 in the four years of the present administration.
“Indeed, one could consider this as progress, but make no mistake (because) our administration will not be content until this number reaches zero,” he said.
Aquino, in turn, requested the press to protect the truth. “As we continue our efforts to bring to justice all those who have resorted to violence or intimidation to skew or hide the truth, my only request is that the media fulfill its obligation of protecting the truth as well,” he said.
He also expressed hope that in making their news reports, the press would exert more effort in defining the problem and describing the situation accurately. “If there was a crime committed, for instance, then media men must be clear about the facts, and the motivations of the culprits to solve the problem,” he said.
He also acknowledged that the media are part and parcel of society, and press people must always tell the truth. “That role also means accurately representing the national condition by striking a healthy balance between the positive and the negative,” he said.
Aquino also proposed to the members of the press a paradigm shift, saying they could continue criticizing the government but must provide the people uplifting news as well.
“Back then, media taking an adversarial role to government was a symbol of bravery, social responsibility. It was a badge of honor, and rightfully so,” he said.
He, however, observed that despite the return of democracy and freedom of the press in the country, some veteran journalists have maintained their jaundiced eyes towards government.
Aquino did not name these journalists, but he said this attitude is no longer compatible with the times, noting that while it is incumbent on the press to tell the truth, it also needs to strike a healthy balance between the positive and the negative news.
“Negativism has driven some members of our media for far too long, and it might one day convince our people that a disproportionate amount of national events are negative; that all is lost and it is foolish to hope,” he said.
“By all means, criticize; dialogue has, in many cases, helped accelerate our nation’s development. My only suggestion is for you to make room in your reports for hope. After all, it is also one of the tasks of media to inspire our countrymen with uplifting news.”
Aquino said there is no shortage of positive and inspiring news in the country, citing the Mindanao peace process and the performance of the economy as examples.
“Rest assured, the government will do everything in its power to produce even more of these developments to report,” he said, appealing to the media to give these stories “their time in the sun.”
“Even as you retain a sharp critical eye… still look to inspire and encourage our people along the path to progress,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)
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