Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications Major in Journalism |Press Law and Ethics 1

Ethics in the eyes of

Bulacan Media
Practitioners
Press Law and Ethics

How the Journalists Code of Ethics, formulated by Philippine Press Institute being
applied by Bulacan-based media practitioners are being applied in reality and the
common violations of the code.

2013
Castor, Charles Brian U.
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications Major in Journalism
3/14/2013
Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications Major in Journalism |Press Law and Ethics 2

Ethics, as being defined by the Center of Media Responsibility is an automatic response given by
a professional in his line of duty, although sometimes, it intervenes with existing state laws. Many
professions have guided with doctrines and dogmas created long ago like the Hippocratic Oath used by
medical professionals in the ancient Greece. Today, journalists in the Philippines are in the light of the
code formulated by the Philippine Press Institute to encourage media practitioners in their field.

Bulacan has a rich history of famous journalist raised; shines most are the Del Pilars and
Oples. Today, in the 21
st
century, fast forwarding on the issues, we will take a glimpse on how
journalist today behaves.

Keep in mind; not on mouth

Mr. Romulo Maturingan, a media practitioner from GMA-7, the largest television network in the
Philippines and an instructor at College of Arts and Letters of Bulacan State University argues that It is
more better to know what you are doing is right or wrong than consult everything with the code. [Di
mo naman kailangang kabisaduhin ang code of ethics, ang appropriate diyan ay kung alam mu ba kung
tama ba o mali yung ginagawa mo.]

The ethics is a guide on living and practicing what is right, and every person is entitled on his
own style of applying it on real life, more than in paper.

Take Left and Right Turns

Make sure before you release a story regarding a persons issue, get his side.[Bago mo
ilabas ung reklamo, kelangan makausap mo yung taong nirereklamo. ] Noted Mr. Roy Reyes, head of
Bulacan Press Club, when asked about what part of the code local reporters mostly follows.

It is indeed too elementary to teach anyone in the industry to get the both sides of the story but
most people are taking for granted this small but vital part of basic reporting.

The most violated thing is the unfair advantages on other person. There are some cases,
although, which is unintentional, but people will interpret that as tactic on degrading a persons life if
someone will fail to get the tale on the mouth of the accused.[Ang most violated ay ung paninirang-
puri, although may mga cases na unintentional, pero ang nagiging tingin ng tao is may intention ung tao
na i-degrade ung other person...if hindi mo kinuha ung other side of person.] Remarks Mr. Maturingan on
which part of the code is violated most of the time.

But Mr. Reyes has another observation

Almost everything in the code is being violated. It was emerged by new technologies like cellphones,
laptops, we now see how a five-man team can defeat a single man alone...right is marked as
wrong.[Halos lahat ay naviviolate, ang pagpapatunay dun ay yung pagdating ng mga cellphones,
laptops, ngayon nakikita na natin na pag nagsama-sama ang limang tao sa modernong panahon , pag
pinagtulungan ang isang tao, napapa-alis...ang mali ay nagiging tama]

Technology has taken a piece of our lives, and it also starts some negative side on expression
since everything you will say can be hear by millions in a second, verifying facts are disregarded, so
wrong context is being disseminated.

Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications Major in Journalism |Press Law and Ethics 3

Professional Journalism?

Being a writer is not a profession, but a commitment on the soceity.Shares Mr. Joey
Munsayac, a veteran Bulacan journalist [Ang pagiging isang peryodista ay hindi isang trabaho, kundi
commitment sa lipunan]

Mt. Reyes agrees, Dont treat writing as a job, but a service of a men with assertion, keen
observation, and helpful towards victims.[Wag mo itong gawing hanapbuhay ( journalism), gawin mo
ito bilang taong mapanuri, mapagmasid, at tumutulong sa naargabyado.]

But how perfect the veteran writer hopes, theres always problems

The reason why it was called fourth estate is the media has a responsibility for the nation to
right what was established wrong, and not to work.[Kaya tnwag ang media na fourth estate kasi sya ay
may tungkulin sa bayan para iwasto ang mali hindi para magtrabaho ang isang peryodista.]

When a writer starts to work, he already vioaltes [Code of Ethics] and it is already acceptable
[in our society] because it is a bread and stomach issue, that is a neccesity to live.[Kapag ang isang
peryodista ay nagtrabaho na, marami na syang magiging violation at yan ay nauunawaan pagkat yan ay
usapain ng tyan at tinapay, yan ay usapin ng pangangailangan ng isang taong mabuhay]


Words of wisdom

If you are not courageous enough, it is better for you to plant cassava in your garden, there, you
will not be shot, your only rival is cough and colds when youll get dew and snakes if your garden was
grassful.[Pag di kayo matapang magtanim nalang kayo ng kamote, di kayo mababaril, ang kalaban nyu
lang ay ubo at sipon kung mahamog at ahas kung madamo ang inyong kamotehan.] Advices Mr.
Munsayac

As a journalist, you arent suppose to recieve [favors], to be payed [hidden], to be influenced
[by someone], and to be feared.[As a journalist alam mu dapat na di ka dapat tumanggap, magpabayad,
magpa impluwensya, matakot] Mr. Maturingan exclaimed

While Mr. Reyes said[Work] double time, spend your time about being a mediamen, embrace
the art of writing, be dedicated for you to get what you desired.[double time, lahat ng oras ibuhos mu sa
pagiging media mo, yakapin mu ng buong buo ang pagsusulat mu, ang buong dedikasyon para marating
ung inaabot mu]