Fair, Foolish, or in an ethical Fix (Media Monitor up to Nov. 26), that is — “Good” practice (balanced, presents all relevant sides, contextualized) …. “Bad” practice (a violation of an ethical provision/ ethical principle is involved; pls specify, rants without particularizing the ethical violation will not merit any points ) …. or an ethical dilemma ( a difficult ethical question is involved): i just wrote an alliteration of it because… it’s a hobby
Media Ethics: This space is reserved for students to send in, type up, embed, paste, etc. their evaluation of posts, reports, stories, etc. in the news media, the social media, and other media (live chat rooms, video games, etc.) uploaded, published, or aired from Nov. 11 (first day of classes) up to Nov. 26.
After Nov. 26, the first media monitor will be closed, your post would be forfeited if it’s late. The next media monitor is from Nov. 27 to Dec. 2 for which another space would be created. Students are not allowed to cram, i.e. not allowed to be lazy and do nothing the entire sem then put all posts in one week. The point of this exercise is to build a habit of viewing the news and to make it almost second-skin to evaluate (the objective is to sensitize the student, and this is one way of accomplishing that). So… you have to file for every media monitor, or lose the points for that space. (bonuses will be given depending on the mean score of the class)
Students are given the option to write their post in their own platform (FB, Tumblr, WordPress, Blogspot; you don’t have to write here) and paste the link in the comment section of this space (click comments button below; the program allows only one hyperlink or URL, do not paste more than one, tnx), or you can write out your entire post in the comments section of this space.
The score will depend on the discussion of the ethical issue involved (rants will not have points, please frame it as an ethical question). You can use either your real name, your student number, or your pseudonym (if the latter, pls email R. your real name and the pseudonym and ask her to record it). You can start posting now, just remember that the page is for “General Patronage”, i.e., if the image is too gory, have the sense to pixelize it or NOT to recopy it anymore. Thanks.
From last semester’s ethics class, from out of the blue, a student writes (published with permission)
“Dear Ma’am,
“Watching the media coverage of the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda, I couldn’t help but squirm at my seat. Seeing a GMA field reporter interview a man with his dead child (who died in an evacuation center) in his arms almost made me shout at my TV screen. And talk about conflict of interest and other media ethics issues , I’m sure you’ve already seen this: http://www.boniavenue.com/2013/11/video-cnn-anchor-anderson-cooper-speaks-korina-sanchez-radio-comments/ > so shameful.
“Our lessons in Media Ethics made watching news more stressful 🙂 but I’m really glad to know that my discomfort and horror at seeing such violations have basis.
“Thank you for making us more critical of what we watch. I also learned to be more careful of what I say/comment about issues I strongly feel about.
Malen”
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Good afternoon, ma’am! I’ve sent my media monitor to _____@yahoo.com. Thanks! 🙂
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To: Prof. Marichu Lambino
Re: Media Monitor (nov 19-nov 26)
link:
http://www.inquirer.net/philippine-election-2013/articles/526735
review:
Covering tragedies is very essential and can also be the most crucial part of journalism, whether it is online, print or even on photos. Sensitivity and having immediate human reaction is always at call. The link above shows a photo of a father carrying with his bare hands his dead daughter, who was killed by typhoon Yolanda. With that, hand-on-hand information, I believe that the private grieving of the father is DEFINITELY not yet over. He had not even delivered his daughter to the morgue due to the delay in mass burial. The background also implies chaos and disaster. I learned from our comm110 class that before I took the shoes of a journalist, I , first, is a human being with emotions and just sensitivity.
On the other hand, I do value accuracy and immediacy. I believe that the journalist did this to show and to let his readers understand how drastic the situation in Tacloban City. However, I also believe that there are ways on how one can avoid interfering on someone’s private grieving specially when covering such events. First, one can opt to take photos and/or conduct interviews after the father has delivered his daughter to morgue or after the father’s private grieving takes place. Second, one can also do a “long-take” photo shoot, instead of purely focusing all the details to the father and his lifeless daughter. Third, one can reserve the photo taken for future documentary purposes , meaning an interview after the father has fully recovered ( 1 year or so) from what happened. This can be useful for documentaries.
From: Charmaine Ycasas
2013-78428
Comm 110 TYZ
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Inigo Ramil Giorgetti // 2009-15725 // Comm 110 TYZ
Mahabodhi Temple To Be Covered With 660 Pounds Of Gold, Drawing Frowns From Dalai Lama Aides
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/16/mahabodhi-temple-gold-india_n_4282504.html
News centred on religious matters are always two-sided, yet this particular article on the Huffington Post seems to focus on the spiritual and religious side-effects of the Mahabodhi Temple’s regal renovation. Conceptually, the idea of gold-coating the temple in which Buddha renounces his worldly possessions (among other things) seems a little bit incongruent with the values and beliefs that the religion and discipline is trying to perpetuate, but if one looks at the larger picture it becomes apparent that not only will this entice tourists, spiritual pilgrims and enthusiasts to visit one of Thailand’s holiest sites, but it will allow King Bhumibol Adulyadej to leave behind a golden legacy. Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Northern Europe, acknowledged that although he didn’t see the merit or logic in the King’s donation, a lot of people would like to see the renovation push through.
The author of the article subtly implies what he believes to be the “spiritually” correct approach towards the renovations, and relies heavily on the opinion of Tibetan spiritual leader Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, who is known the world over for fighting for the rights and freedoms of the Tibetan people against the tyranny of the Chinese communist party, although unbeknownst to many used to lead his nation in such a way that was terribly brutal and unequal, leading a privileged and opulent priest class in their oppression of masses of Tibetans living in squalor, even approving such criminal sanctions as eye gouging and disembowelment as common punishment for those who commit crimes against the priest class.
Although the article mentions the current restoration of the UNESCO World Heritage site, it only shines light upon what spiritual leaders consider to be the detrimental effects of a “lavish” restoration plan. It fails to detail the possible and probably benefits of the King’s donation, and completely undermines a monarchial effort to instil a nationalistic sense of pride, success, and opulence through the beautification and preservation of one of his nation’s most important cultural treasures.
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Alliah Czarielle R. Guerra | 2011-18140 | Comm110 TYZ
BT: Love Añover, isinalaysay ang naranasan noong kasagsagan ng Bagyong Yolanda (YouTube.com)
Much of the coverage of Typhoon Yolanda, which hit the Philippines on November 8 this year and is to date the most powerful storm to have ever struck land, was characterized by an outpouring of equally strong emotions — not only among the victims and survivors, but also among media practitioners. Various heart-wrenching images of the devastation made their way to television screens, computer displays, and papers, but all the more emotionally moving was the picture of a resilient Filipino people who have managed to showcase indomitable strength despite the challenges thrust in their way. Yet behind the picture of the wounds entire communities have suffered lies a heartbreaking picture of the vicious struggle within the minds and hearts of the media personnel who arrived from different parts of the country to cover the event out of a professional obligation to ensure that the world stay informed of the latest occurrences, only to emerge with wounds comparable to what the people of the Visayas have suffered, but of a more psychological nature. Videos as such (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYyZrosBLU8) bare the truth behind the tough and courageous facades today’s broadcast industry compels field reporters to strive to build, that behind their image as professionals they are still human beings, as vulnerable and as fragile as anyone else. Every endeavor to cover dangerous events carries with it an immense risk, and a reporter’s acceptance signifies his or her willingness to take this risk, in the name of their job, at a price that may amount to his or her entire life. The sad truth is that compared to other professionals who are often present in times of emergency and/or disaster, reporters receive the least attention in terms of their health. While it is standard protocol for reporters to be properly briefed prior to being dispatched to cover a potentially stressful event to ensure that they are both emotionally and mentally prepared for what they are bound to witness, and given proper counseling afterward for the sake of their health, this does not seem to be happening. Breaking down is inevitable, it is human to do so. What I find aptly alarming, however, is the lack of concern towards news reporters’ wellbeing. In addition to this, there is something inherently wrong with the idea of networks taking advantage of their emotional reactions to gain an edge in producing the best sob story. Clearly this is unethical because a news coverage should be about the news, and not about the people reporting; reporters should merely serve as the medium by which stories are conveyed, and not the story themselves.
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http://aimeegalangc110.blogspot.com
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Hannah Carmela Quinco // 2009-56956 // Comm110 TYZ
Volunteers haunted by ruin, deaths
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/533467/volunteers-haunted-by-ruin-deaths
Humans have a capacity for empathy and it is through this nature that we know and accept that all of us come from the same species. It is through empathy that we can somewhat share somebody’s joy and pain and thus the certain emotion is multiplied or divided. This empathy however can be a disability to someone who is on a mission to finish a certain task. Most people see newsmen or journalists as bridges or media as through which news can be purged from however, what most people don’t see is how they are able to battle their own demons once they are faced with a tragedy, a disaster such as the strong typhoon Yolanda. It is not only just getting through the entire typhoon but likewise through it’s aftershocks and destruction.
If the volunteers who came after the typhoon ravaged the place into pieces felt haunted, how much more with the reporters who were actually there when the typhoon struck down Tacloban. No matter how prepared a journalist or a volunteer may be, they will never know if the images of poverty, murder or any violence might haunt them back that is why it is very important to debrief after news assignments such as crime scenes and disasters. Though a journalist is expected already to know the precautions and proper briefings before going into a disaster area, the effect could still be chilling their spines weeks after they left the area. Though they think they can still continue on reporting, it is a must for reporters not to get attached and stay too long at an area of a tragedy. It might affect his/her psyche and it might do a lot of harm to his/her emotional and mental health. Also speaking of having empathy, journalists must also make sure that they don’t speak of phrases such as “I understand you.” or “He/She will rest in peace.”
No matter how emotional a scene may get, one must keep his/her composure and act professionally. Media ethics were made to protect not only the ones who are subjects of the new report but likewise, it was made to protect the one who is reporting. It is also very important that every member of the news crew would look out for each other, especially for signs of depression and shock. One must continually remind him/herself that a journalist’s duty does not weigh more that one’s own mental and emotional health.
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http://wp.me/p47KER-x
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Media Monitor week 1
link of the news article: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/336664/news/specialreports/at-the-tacloban-astrodome-refugees-find-a-home-in-ruined-bars
The article published by GMA News last November 22, 2013 entitled “At the Tacloban astrodome, refugees find a home in ruined bars”, exhibited ethical disaster reporting. The writer considered the emotions of the people who are suffering from the aftermath of the typhoon that she decided to write about something that can uplift the morale of each citizen in Tacloban and other affected areas. Instead of focusing and emphasizing on the tragic loss of many victims, she took the time to highlight the optimism of these victims. The woman named Florentina serves as a hope for everyone; she symbolizes joy amidst all the distress because she’s able to think about the upcoming Holiday season. The content of the article also gives its readers concise amount of information—starting from a brief background of Florentina’s life before the typhoon, their experiences during the typhoon, until the way she coped after the typhoon.
This article is especially appealing to me because it provides hope not only for the victims but for the readers as well. It did not only tackle the effects of the strongest typhoon to date; it also discusses how the people are preparing for Christmas despite the recent calamity. The photo used in the said writing is also very effective because it simply shows the woman slightly smiling beside her makeshift decorated living room. It shows how people are trying their best to live normally, like how they lived before Yolanda hit; and how they will be able to bounce back from this disaster. The information relayed through this report provides a way for people to see the good after a devastating event, which is one of the factors that entail having ethical journalism background. If all reporters and journalists could always deliver their news in a lighter note rather than reiterating the tragedy, then the consumers could be more appreciative of the media.
-2012-79263
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http://mixtura927.wordpress.com/2013/11/26/media-monitor/
– 2011-50258
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COMM 110 TYZ – Media Monitor ( Nov 19 – 26 )
Aquino, Rica Angela ( 2011-79130)
link of the news article from Rappler:
The article, entitled: “They need a lift: Give makeup to teachers in Yolanda areas” is a beauty drive organized by a fashion and beauty blogger and an editor for a woman’s magazine. They intend to collect slightly used or better, brand new lipstick and other beauty products those for skincare and haircare. This they said, would boost a woman’s confidence. The drive is for teachers who we call heroes because despite the tragedy, they still are teaching in some areas in Tacloban. This beauty drive, they hope would make them feel better.
Yolanda, being the strongest typhoon in the whole world, caused major destructions and by major, I mean, up to the point where Tacloban might no longer have people living there. The increasing number of dead bodies as well as those who were injured have brought a rush of relief goods from all over the world, from canned goods, to bottled water and even rice, which they could not cook even because of no electricity. And now that the calamity is in its 3rd week toward recovery, relief goods have taken new form – from panties, to chargers, to books, to stuffed toys, and now even, the lipstick.
It actually sounds funny at first to give out lipsticks to the survivors of the typhoon especially when Filipinos value simplicity. To some, it may be impractical since the aftermath is supposed to bring about grief and looking good at this time isn’t the right time. Yes, the initiative is very thoughtful for the teachers and even empowering for these heroic women. But then, I ask the question, why only for the teachers? We bring about women empowerment but they limit it to the chosen ones. What about the women who are also working such as journalists, airport workers, port workers?
Second question, what about women who wont get these lipsticks? And how about the right to choose, how about those who opt not to?
Do we already say that they wont feel better?
third question, is this the only way to ‘lift’ a woman’s spirit in times of a calamity? I certainly think not.
Another issue is the issue of the right to safety. Since they are collecting slightly used products and these are things used for our bodies, considering that other women have allergies and for hygienic purposes’ sake, shouldn’t they ensure the safety of these women?
There is a also a conflict of interest with the people behind the beauty drive since they are both working in businesses that are say trending and are for women right now, they may have the best intentions to help women like them but isn’t it also inevitable that they may be after a say a partnership with a beauty brand? or a good impression to readers? Maybe, maybe not.
And lastly, this article focuses on that lipstick, that tiny lipstick tube which women like us might have ignored or may have not. But then bottom line is, this actually makes that product needed by society because it gives the notion of giving a woman confidence which may just be… a state of mind after all.
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MEDIA MONITOR: Disasters (Comm 110 T4-7pm)
Name: DONATO, KEENY D.
SN: 2011-11035
Article:
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/issues/disasters/typhoon-yolanda/44412-prisoners-return-after-yolanda-typhoon-mass-escape
Media Monitor:
The article is about the return of the prisoners who have escaped from the jail due to Typhoon Yolanda. The article says that there about 600 prisoners who have escaped, and out of it, 251 came back. The article states the reasons why the escapees decided to go back. Most of them said that they went home just to check on their families and help them to rise up again after the typhoon. More than this, they have decided to go back because they want them to be proven innocent. They said that they do not want to be treated fugitives, and they want their freedom to be legal.
I think that this article is a kind of responsible journalism. The article did not discriminate the prisoners, and treated them as humans who are as well victims of the typhoon. There are so many news and issues discussing the “escape” of the detainees, and even blamed them for the looting. But this article somehow protects the rights and image of the detainees despite of who they are and what they have done.
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Commentary for C110 TYZ
Article: Expect Increasingly Violent Cyclones, Weather Experts Warn
Link: http://www.rappler.com/science-nature/43482-expect-increasingly-violent-cyclones
2010-35451
Comment:
Though the focus of the article falls under a very common conversation topic, the way it was written was concise and factual – which piqued my interest. Most articles cover the aftermath or the impending doom associated with climate change and the calamities it throws at us, but what the media needs to elevate are the facts and figures – informing and teaching the public why cyclones are worsening and why typhoons are expected to become more frequent. It doesn’t take a genius to understand how destructive these natural disasters are – how they affect everything from the tiny houses to the agricultural sector of the Philippines.
I wish more articles like this would be published – with emphasis on the studies conducted in understanding the erratic weather patterns and fragile ecological system, instead of the usual tear-inducing and overly-emotional covers on the repercussions of climate change. How can we expect the public to rise in a unified effort to stop global warming when they aren’t taught the why’s, how’s and what’s? Don’t get me wrong – what happened after the recent typhoon Yolanda was devastating and heart-wrenching, but how can we ever hope to overcome these tragedies if we aren’t informed why they happen and our role in preventing them from happening again?
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Article: Sino Ship Docs Start Treatment of Injured
Bianca S. Concepcion
2012-56296
Comments:
“The Peace Ark, one of China’s biggest and most modern floating hospitals, began admitting injured survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda…”
The first line of this article that graced the front page of today’s Philippine Daily Inquirer uplifted my spirits – I’m sure whoever else has read it feels the same way. Logically, what I was expecting next was news on how many victims they treated thus far, etc. However, under the sub header “hospital inspection” and in the beginning of the article, much attention was given to Romualdez, the mayor of Tacloban. He says that he will accommodate patients in his private hospital before sending them to the Peace Ark.
I didn’t like this at all. It is past one week since the calamity and the mayor has pleaded for help on national television earlier. If doctors and medicine had to be shipped to the area, and judging by the reports of overcrowding in the airport, hospital, etc., we can assume that the hospitals are full and low on supplies. If they weren’t, it would beg a different question. The point is that a victim will be given treatment in the “nice” hospital based on the severity of their injury, i.e. they need surgery. There are 300 beds available. I find this form of qualification to be ridiculous considering time is of the essence and seconds can make the difference between life and death.
Another observation I made was the inclusion of China’s and the Philippines’ territorial claims in the article. I personally found this to be irrelevant. To add salt to the wound, it was mentioned before any positive news that China has not joined the 15 other countries in Multinational Coordinating Council, which was created for the purpose of aiding the Philippine government cope with relief operations. There is a style and manner to this article that I don’t appreciate.
The last line completely killed whatever joy I felt from the first line and made me feel worse off.
They offer free accommodations to Filipino doctors and nurses who want to see what it’s like. That must be great, but do doctors get to help in treating the patients if they come to sea? Apparently not because only 5 Filipinos have been treated. Will we let this golden opportunity to life for the victims pass them by?
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