Yesterday, there was a Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) signing among Radio Veritas, PPCRV (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting) and the CMN (Catholic Media Network) for the purpose of covering the coming May 2007 elections. Members of the media were invited. Some came and covered the event and did some interviews to the heads of the three institutions. The questions regarding the elections and its conduct were answered very well and comprehensively. Basically, the aim is to preserve the dignity of the elections. It begins with the education of the voters regarding responsible use of their power to vote. Then the encouragement to go to the polls and vote. Then the vigilance to guard the vote. The citizenry should see to it that their votes are counted. Whoever wins based on the votes, should be accepted as winner. That basically constitutes the work and also the non-partisan stand of the Church. While it is true that bishops and priests have their own preferences, they must externally maintain not pushing for a particular candidate but help everybody to make a good decision ad see to it that the elections had been conducted well.
I was hoping that these views and positions would be transmitted to the people through the help of the media people present. A lot of footage were taken and a lot of answers were said. I anticipated the showing of the coverage in the news at night. Finally, I caught one on GMA7 (who incidentally came late), I was surprised that nothing on the signing and the stand for the elections was shown! Instead, footage on the answers regarding the discovery of the tomb of Jesus were given importance. I came to know that the questions were not limited on the event. Some of the media present took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Catholic Church regarding the news about the finding of the alleged tomb of Jesus.
Well, that is media, they said. But that is unfair. And yet they claim to tell the truth? Rather, it should be more of their chosen truth. They cry that the public has a right to know. Well, it becomes clear that they only give what they want the public to know. It was really frustrating that the more important aspect of the elections brought about by that event had been set aside. Now, we have to find some other ways to do it.
Next time, we have to be careful.
Media can really make or break a situation. Worse, they really can make or break you!
I was hoping that these views and positions would be transmitted to the people through the help of the media people present. A lot of footage were taken and a lot of answers were said. I anticipated the showing of the coverage in the news at night. Finally, I caught one on GMA7 (who incidentally came late), I was surprised that nothing on the signing and the stand for the elections was shown! Instead, footage on the answers regarding the discovery of the tomb of Jesus were given importance. I came to know that the questions were not limited on the event. Some of the media present took advantage of the opportunity to ask the Catholic Church regarding the news about the finding of the alleged tomb of Jesus.
Well, that is media, they said. But that is unfair. And yet they claim to tell the truth? Rather, it should be more of their chosen truth. They cry that the public has a right to know. Well, it becomes clear that they only give what they want the public to know. It was really frustrating that the more important aspect of the elections brought about by that event had been set aside. Now, we have to find some other ways to do it.
Next time, we have to be careful.
Media can really make or break a situation. Worse, they really can make or break you!
No comments:
Post a Comment