The Philippine Press: Freedom and Credibility

The Philippine Press

• Press referring to newspapers• Considered as the freest in Asia• Also the most licentious and irresponsible• Lost its freedom during the Martial Law

Out-Scooping

SCOOP

• An informal term used in journalism.• The word connotes:– Originality– Importance– Surprise or excitement– Secrecy and exclusivity

• Scoops typically raise the profile of the journalist that makes them.

• Newspapers try to out-scoop each other.

HOW?

• Sacrificing accuracy• Becoming sensational

Most Credible Sources of Information

Survey Done on May 1987

MAJORITY

• Newspapers – 54.3%• TV – 23.9%• Radio – 13.2%

METRO MANILA

• TV – 36.3%• Newspapers – 36.1%• Radio – 14.6%

PROVINCIAL SET-UP

• Newspapers – 61.2%• TV – 19.3%• Radio – 12.7%

What is ironic with the result of the survey?

• Metro Manilans get their information mainly from newspapers but not too many of them considered newspapers as the most credible sources.

• Fewer readers rely mainly on newspapers for information but a majority of them rate newspapers’ credibility highly.

Perceptions

• CREDIBILITY– Very truthful (60.9%)

• OBJECTIVITY– Very objective (73.3%)

• BALANCE– Very balanced (70.6%)

• ACCURACY– Very accurate (63.1%)

• RESPONSIBILITY– Very responsible (69.2%)

• These positive reviews were probably due in large measure to the reservoir of goodwill among the Filipino people for the press.

• The alternative press, sacrificed lives and fought so hard foe press freedom and the ouster of former President Marcos and the people were apparently grateful.

Urban Filipino Perceptions of Journalism and the Press

Survey Done on May 1987

Ratings of Professions

A. Professionals1. Medical doctor – 84.02. Scientist – 77.33. Lawyer – 75.64. Engineer – 66.15. Priest – 64.16. Teacher – 61.27. Journalist – 58.78. Businessman – 53.4

Ratings of Professions

B. Government officials1. Judge – 72.02. Senator – 69.13. Mayor – 63.24. Military officer – 59.9

Ratings of Professions

C. Communication professionals1. Newspaper editor – 60.52. Radio announcer – 39.43. Advertising copy writer – 34.04. Public relations officer – 31.15. TV announcer – 20.66. Newspaper reporter – 19.6

Roles of the Philippine Press

The Philippine press…

• Plays an important role in informing the public about society.

• Plays an important role in national development.

• Plays an important role as critic/fiscalizer of government.

• Protects the interests of the common people.• Prints too much gossip, rumor, unverified

reports.

Vis-à-vis Press Freedom

• Press freedom is important to Philippine society.

• There are also perceptions like: The Philippine press today is free from government control.

The Philippine press…

• Also censors news which is against its friends and interests.

• Is manipulated by the powerful and influential people.

• Is owned by the rich and protects only their interests.

Vis-à-vis Filipino Journalists

• Brave– Due to the fact that many editors, reporters and

radio commentators were killed or jailed for telling the truth during the repressive Marcos era.

• Competent (46.7%)• Not as many considered them as honest

(36.3%)• Uncertain of journalists’ honesty (37.1%)• Uncertain about whether journalists are highly

paid (51.5%)

Profile of Filipino Newspaper Journalists

MAJORITY ARE…

• Young (52.9%)• Between 18 to 35 years old• Females (52.9%)• Married (57.8%)• Roman Catholics (84.2%)

MAJORITY ARE…

• Elite in education but not financially• College students, graduates or graduates

students (85.4%)• Have a yearly income below Php24,000.00

(below the poverty line)• The price of newspapers is cheaper in Manila

than in the provinces, so you have to be better off to be able to buy the more expensive papers in the provinces.

MAJORITY ARE…

• Owning radio sets (92.8%)• Owning television sets (83.6%)

“In brief, therefore, a Filipino newspaper reader is between 26 and 35 years old, female, married, Catholic, earns Php2,000.00 a month, a college graduate, politically neutral, and owns a radio and TV set.”

Media Use Habits of Filipino Newspaper Readers

FREQUENCY OF READING

• Everyday (54%)• Frequently (30.5%)• Occasionally (11.3%)

TIME ALLOTTED

• 15 – 30 minutes (50.8%)• 30 minutes – 1 hour (33.7%)

RADIO AND TV USAGE

• Listening to radio (58.8%)• Watching TV (56.2%)– It can be seen more time is devoted to radio and

television.

Reasons for Reading and Not Reading Newspapers

READING

• For information• For education• For entertainment• For opinion

NOT READING

• Busy, no time, too time-consuming, have other things to do, household chores (37 times)

• No money, can’t afford, newspapers are expensive (27 times)

• Not interested, not a habit, they don’t care, too lazy (25 times)

The Philippine Press: Freedom and Credibility