Media Fans Clubs

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

 

IF you are one of those glued to his or her radio station for a daily dose of political commentaries of some broadcast practitioners, perhaps you are one among those who could bear witness to the acrimonious (and often comic bordering on ridiculous) debates between members of ‘Media Fans Club’ for Guv Spines and Cong. Mark C.

One gets a load puns as metaphors to highlight irreverent (insults) and misplaced thoughts (in the wrong context) about their counterparts and their respective political bosses. Some friends I know actually get a kick out of their colorful language.

But it’s the political season, and nothing is normally held sacred by voters and media opinion makers. Everything is considered par for the course. But what is not?

As the toadies among the commentators themselves believe they can get away with their rude commentaries and even feel good about themselves as bootlickers (and ass-lickers), little do they realize that their credibility erodes with as much impact.

*          *          *          *          *

Last Monday, Guv Spines posted on his personal Facebook account a statement that started with: “I respectfully urge our brothers and sisters in the media to keep their commentaries within decent and ethical levels to avoid fanning the fire of rabid partisanship that could lead to violence and other untoward incidents.”

Apparently, Guv Spines sought to set the tone for the fanatical ‘media fan clubs’ of both Pogi, his son, and former Cong. Mark C in the local media for the need to smoke the peace pipe. Knowing him as I do, Guv Spines just read the riot act to his son’s loyalists while appealing for sobriety among Cong. Mark’s dedicated crawlers.

Actually, reading through his FB statement, his appraisal of the situation hit the nail on the head. (I could have clicked “Like” on that post if he were my FB friend, but I am not his FB friend). Indeed, it is not farfetched that emotions run high when commentaries border on insults on one’s integrity and those that cross families and friends. The long list of unsolved killings of journalists can attest to that.

Recalling Cong. Mark C’s ’s statement published in our last week’s issue, echoing the basically the same appeal -to elevate campaign note to a positive level. I thought we were finally headed to an honest-to-goodness sobriety among members of the ‘media fans club’. I sensed a unity of purpose there.

But just when I thought things were finally moving on, I gathered that the Guv’s remarks in his recent radio interviews (after posting his thoughts on Facebook) were perceived as “veiled threats.” But were they? Perhaps it was meant to send a chilling effect on practitioners, but only to the reckless practitioners (in both clubs) for their own good. The responsible and ethical journalists I know are never intimidated by veiled threats because truth is on their side.

Then I read Cong. Mark’s reactions to the issue, himself getting into the fray, chiding Guv Spines on his “veiled threats’. That and Guv Spines’ radio interviews surely did not help calm frayed nerves among the members of the opposing ‘Media Fans Clubs’.

Since Guv Spines and Cong Mark have already made their cases for their respective ‘fans clubs’, I wish the two would now step back and revert to their being the usual statesmen and simply let their respective ‘fans club’ realize how much harm they are doing to their respective principals by their unstudied commentaries.

So, to the members of both ‘fans club,’ why not just greet each other “Peace be with you” and let’s enjoy the excitement of the campaign period as brothers and sisters who will have to continue to work with each other beyond 2016!

Peace be with you!

*          *          *          *          *

TRUE TRANSPARENCY. Pangasinenses have reason to be assured that revenues earned by the provincial government and the Dagupan City government are both well spent and secure. Both the Capitol’s Espino administration and Dagupan’s Fernandez administration are last year’s awardees!

The Seal of Good Housekeeping (SGH) in Financial Management Awards program of the Department of Interior and Local Government in collaboration with the Commission on Audit is not one of those government awards that one can sneeze at. The criteria for the selection are not based on perception but on documented transactions and plans.

As the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo envisioned, good governance can only be best measured by transparency and accountability, and anyone who dares claim to be transparent and accountable can easily be validated as genuine or fake through the SGH awards program.

Hence, the claims of Guv Spines and Mayor Belen to be transparent and accountable are proven true by virtue of the 2014 awards!

Take a bow Guv Spines and Mayor Belen! Indeed, may your tribe increase!

(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments