Group lauds media coverage of 2007 polls
CMFR Deputy Director Luis Teodoro presents the
study on the media's coverage of the May 2007
elections to journalists.
The media did a better job in covering this year's elections compared to the 2004 polls but a lot of work needs to be done, according to a media watchdog that monitored the coverage of major news organizations during the election period.
The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility said in its report that major TV networks and newspapers exerted effort to provide the public both the information on the elections as well as the context of the electoral exercise.
The coverages of major networks and broadsheets were also less slanted to particular candidates or parties in this year's elections.
"Let us take heart that there are (positive) changes despite the difficulties," said CMFR Deputy Director Luis Teodoro, who presented the results.
The results of the monitoring was released last Friday during a roundtable discussion at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati. The discussion was attended by around 100 reporters, community journalists editors, publishers and representatives of media organizations including The News Today.
The CMFR conducted the study from February 13 to May 13, and during the election day. A team composed of CMFR staff, volunteer journalism students from major universities in Manila monitored TV news programs, the three leading Manila broadsheets, selected AM radio stations and Manila tabloids, TV public affairs programs, and online news sites. Political ads in all Manila TV stations as well as the state of preparedness of the media were also studied.
The study showed that t here was widespread awareness of the professional and ethical responsibilities of the press among the major media players.
Teodoro, former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, pointed out that there was a conscious effort among TV networks and Philippine Daily Inquirer to provide special programs and articles on election issues and the stand of candidates on these issues, and information to voters and election personnel.
But long-running weaknesses and problems on election coverage remain, according to the study.
There is still the focus on personalities and controversies in coverage of many news organizations.
Like in 2004, there was minimum reporting on party-list groups especially on their programs and their stand on issues. Luis said the party-list elections were covered only when party list groups like Bayan Muna and their leaders were involved in controversies like the arrest and detention of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.
The study also found the coverage of the government TV system conspicuously biased for administration candidates. It said that there was "obvious partisanship" that was worsened by "low levels of professional competence."
Based on these findings, the CMFR recommended major reforms in the government-run TV system and the public information system and urged the implementation of the government's privatization policy in the case of the sequestered stations.
The study said this would help ensure that the government-run TV stations "serve the public's information needs rather than the public relations goals of succeeding administrations."
It also recommended that media organizations conduct media consultations with experts and resources persons in governance, politics and Philippine society and its problems. This would enable journalists to ask follow up questions and conduct more directed interviews to help transcend the politics of personality.
The study also urged media organizations to broaden coverage of part-ylist elections, smaller parties and lesser known candidates to offset the advantage of well-funded parties and individuals.