News plays an essential role in establishing a well-informed society—making people become

aware of the happenings around them. However, it is unfortunate that along with the
advancements of technologies is the decreased quality of news. Since it has become easier to
produce, post, edit, spread a story, though news became more accessible, its objectivity and
truthfulness has been reduced—making the people, especially those who were not well-
instructed how to critically use different types of media, prone to fear, anxiety, anger and other
possible negative emotional effects that could lead to unnecessary reactions to false information.
It is distressing that even some media practitioners—who are supposed to be our primary source
to factual news, also contributes to the spread of false and one-sided stories in exchange of
money or any form of privileges. For example, the claim of President Rodrigo Duterte that ABS-
CBN network, which happens to have a congressional franchise due to expire next year and
given its unstable relationship with the president, has been spreading false news about his health.
It was not, however, proven that the release of the news has something to do with the network’s
rocky connection with the president. In these types of cases, we hope to still, receive facts
despite the relationship of the parties, whether it may benefit the network or not. Article 1
Section 3b of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines says that receiving bribes, gifts, privileges or
any consideration to favor one side of a story, stop a story from airing, or put any person in either
bad or favorable light is prohibited. This is one of the most basic responsibility of a media
practitioner—to provide authentic news to the public without having underground transactions
with anyone who seeks to alter, prevent a news from being shown or even change the whole
story for their benefit. Nevertheless, some still choose to lose their integrity for whatever
pleasing grant there is. It is unfair for the people who expect objective information but
unknowingly consume false ones. This aims to become a reminder of what media practitioners
are there for and who they should always be in favor with—the public. With truth, the people
might not always prosper but it helps them become more equipped in dealing with the possible
effects of what’s happening around and react to it rightfully. With media practitioners who are
honest and responsible, a society that’s well-informed with factual data becomes more
achievable.