DAGUPAN CITY – While international media groups and the Arroyo Administration debate the true state of Philippine media, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz has made known his own assessment.

“The Philippine media is facing the “ABC curse”: Anxiety, Bribery and Corruption,” was how he described the media environment.

Cruz, himself a regular hot copy in the media for his critical statements on various issues particularly jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling, noted that the Philippine media continues to be in a formidable struggle to remain free.

Citing the vulnerability of many of the media practitioners, the lack of material resources, absence of visible protection from constant attacks on their integrity, and being declared “enemy of those in power and influence,” he said it was not surprising to find many who succumb to the “ABC curse”.

“It is not a secret that many media practitioners in the Philippines are well included among the big number of people continuously burdened by where to get some money for their family food, shelter and clothing”.

“That is why contrary to what their profession stands for, some of them accept bribes from persons in power and influence who gladly pay anyone  and anything to stay where they are and

enjoy what they have,” he said.

Cruz, former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, noted the pervasive curse of corruption in the country that “swallows up even otherwise honest, fair and just media outlets and practitioners.”

He lamented the growing number of young professionals who start early in being corrupt- which happily, he said, “is marked exception among young idealistic journalists together with their well principled elder media co-workers.”

“But there will always be media entities and media people who take the anxiety with courage, ward off bribery with success, stay away from corruption. They are in the public roll of honor,” he added. — EVA

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments