Amor propio and media killings
A Brit once asked me why media killings are rampant in the Philippines which is always perceived by outsiders as generally, a peace-loving, extremely friendly nation. The spate of media killings topped by the infamous wholesale deaths in the Maguindanao Massacre may have puzzled him. He wants to know why the Philippines is in the ranks of Iraq, Russia or Afghanistan in terms of atrocities to journalists and widespread human rights breaches.
“Corruption, Impunity and last but certainly not the least, Amor Propio,” I ventured an answer.
There is a connection between corruption and the unabated killing of journalists in the Philippines. The fact that we place high among of countries where media threats and killings are rampant also suggests that ours is among the world’s most corrupt nations.
The media’s job to expose corruption and when there’s too much of it the likelihood of a media kill is just as high. The corrupt will not like what we write or put to air because we expose their misdeeds. To public servants that sham accountability or responsibility media is irrelevant—a menace that must be silenced, hence the harassment, threats and the killings.
A country considered “no man’s land” for journalists also means many of its people think they are above the law. They subscribe to violence in settling supposed trespasses by the media instead of relying on courts for redemption. Besides, justice is often slow, undue and transactional. Hence they take matters in their own hands and the wages are often, lives.
It is equally lamentable that the perpetrators get away with what they do—a testament to the culture of impunity, again on account of perhaps corruption in the justice system itself.
The court proceedings for the Maguindanao Massacre continue and it is expected to protract with the trial of hundreds of suspects and the hearing of hundreds more witnesses. And cliché as it may sound, justice delayed is still justice denied especially to the families who may be bound to spend a lifetime waiting for compensation or even closure. Many other singular victims of media killings and harassments whose cases are sitting in courts and whose fights for justice are rarely covered by media are doing much worse.
Slow justice also encourages crime. Many corrupt public servants whose anomalies have been exposed by media resort to violence because it may take a lifetime for justice to be served and it works to their advantage. Media killing is a transgression they do not have to pay right away.
Yet there is another reason why media killings are rampant here than in any other country and culture plays a big part in it. Not owning up to mistakes or defying accountability exists because of our overpowering cultural trait called “Filipino Amor Propio”, or extreme self-love or self-respect. It prevents a person from swallowing his pride. In relation to corrupt public servants, Amor Propio as a form of ego-defensiveness that keeps them from being accountable for wrong actions or decisions.
Amor Propio makes them save face first, instead of owning up to mistakes and correcting them. We have seen many public servants in other countries publicly apologizing for their misconduct such as figuring in a sex scandal even if it hurts their families all the more. These people value public trust.
In other countries resignations are also normal—even paramount for erring public officials. Back home they continue to serve at the pleasure of their superiors and will bite and kick when dragged out of office.
In extreme cases in Japan, “hara-kiri” or suicide is even a noble thing to do in order to save face.
But public apologies, resignations much more suicides by shamed public officials never happen in the Philippines. It is in our culture to protect our humble names instinctively because a well-built self-image is a long-term investment of blood, sweat and tears.
Building self-esteem is a valued process and it sometimes takes generations to build image and subsequently, self-love. Filipinos mostly come from humble beginnings and making “a name for oneself” is a cherished undertaking. Coming from centuries of oppression by colonizers, we have risen as a nation of self-made men.
Amor Propio is also considered the buttress of the much critical Filipino trait, “hiya” which translates to “shamefulness”. It is said that Amor Propio and “hiya” make a highly explosive concoction when injured. And any attempt to put Amor Propio in jeopardy or any activity that may put one’s valued name to shame can be dealt with, violently.
We’re not a war-torn country where internal aggression can result in media killings and neither are we ruled by extremism from which senseless violence can spring forth. We are a compassionate people and even claim to be a nation righteous and God-fearing.
We just don’t do well with criticism.
