Can Government-media war end?

Echoes From

BY JOHNNY DAYANG

Can Government-media war end? This question was posed by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in a speech before the 1st Countryside Press Congress, which highlighted the 50th anniversary celebration of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines (FPPCP) at the Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan.

Marquez used to be the Supreme Court’s Spokesperson and Public Information Office (PIO) Chief as well as simultaneously being the Court Administrator. Juggling the jobs for almost three years was not a walk in the park, and neither was it healthy, both physically and professionally, according to Marquez. We fully agree with him.

It is his experience of being a spokesman of the Highest Court and PIO Chief that Marquez asked this question. Marquez, who carries the rank of Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, believes that the war between the Government and the Media is not a healthy situation. It’s bad for both the democratic governance and the fourth estate.

We agree with Mr. Marquez that the real loser is the constituency both claim to serve: The Filipino People.

Marquez feels that his fraternal love for journalists and reporters has not waned, declaring that he will never forget journalists and reporters, especially those who have covered him, for being generally considerate to him. 

Journalists, the young-looking and handsome Court Administrator said, have always interpreted government action and words, not only in editorials but also in straight reporting, which over time the press has evolved to be the unofficial auditor, if not critic, of the communication system and action of Government, which is tasked to provide constitutional protection to the press.

Private independent television networks, which operate under state franchises and licenses, employ broadcasters, talk show hosts, and reporters, all of whom editorialize and review government action to serve public interest, interposing itself between political authority and the citizenry.

Marquez, however, stressed that the press has a role to play, especially in a democracy like ours. It has to continue disseminating credible information as a way of mediating between the state and all facets of civil society.

Consequently, the former Supreme Court Spokesman emphasized that there should be restraint from both Government and Media, else any discussion will be only filled with resentment and frustration. Both sides, he urged, must be willing to exchange views and recognize legitimate criticisms in an open forum.