RESPECTED journalists admitted having difficulty staying neutral in their practice during a seminar last Sept 12 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex.
In “Standing on Neutral Ground: Journalism as the Fourth Estate,” Manila Times columnist Dr. Fermin Adriano said there is no such thing as a neutral ground in journalism.
“Neutrality based on one’s analysis, based on the common good, is not neutrality at all. One has to have position,” Adriano said.
In addition, broadcast journalist and UST Journalism alumnus Arnold Clavio said it is hard to be neutral in the field.
“It’s hard to be neutral. Like when GMA-7 covered the EDSA 3. Many people said we became biased,” Clavio said.
Other speakers included tabloid Text Tonight managing editor Rommel Sanchez and radio DZRH news and current affairs director Andy Vital.
Meanwhile, in “How Sensational Can You Get?: Defining the Borders of Press Freedom” last Sept. 30 at the CME Auditorium, Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros said journalists tend to sensationalize because of “boring” beats.
“Some say they are forced to sensationalize because there are boring beats. Well, there are no boring beats—only boring writers,” he said.
De Quiros also advised students on good and responsible writing.
“Exercise some kind of imagination and know what stories to tell. Write a story like how you would tell it to your friends,” de Quiros said.
National Artist and UST Center for Creative Writing Studies senior associate F. Sionil Jose said that one must write the truth, but at the same time, give moral guidance to the readers.
In the seminar, T.V. host Boy Abunda said that sensationalism is a part of show business.
“In our field, a story becomes sensational because either it is something really big, like a scoop, or it’s an exclusive story on certain people na gustong-gusto ng mga audience,” Abunda said. Ma. Cristina S. Lavapie and Elka Krystle R. Requinta
