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Editorial
Blocktiming hacks
Jan 21, 2010
AT STAKE indeed is the integrity of journalism.
This, where radio and television blocktimers that mushroom at every campaign are concerned.
It is no secret that a number of these blocktime shows are funded by candidates for political posts or elected officials using local government funds. The latter’s dalliance in mass media euphemized as part of the LGU’s IEC – for information, education and communication – campaign.
“The persistence of politically-sponsored block-time news and public affairs programs masquerading as independent news and commentary reflects a highly dysfunctional press system.” So read a statement of working mediamen from across the country at a recent roundtable discussion sponsored by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.
Furthered the statement: “The commercial nature of most media enterprises in the Philippines makes elections a high-revenue season. But it is incumbent on the owners of such businesses to observe their responsibilities to the public and to disclose fully the source of sponsorship for the programs they air. Otherwise, the public may be misled and influenced by those they may perceive to be independent commentators but are after all only paid hacks.”
On that premise, the media practitioners sounded a call for the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) to take a serious look into these blocktime programs and their hosts, to wit:
“These programs are obviously part of the campaigns of candidates. Unfortunately, these are not identified as political advertising, and can be misconstrued as independent commentary over radio.
“As a self-regulatory body for broadcast media, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas upholds ethical practice among their members and requires them to make sure that their programs observe professional values.
“One of the tenets of news and public affairs programs is to make the distinction clear between news and information and advertising material such as commercials..”
Thus, political space and airtime paid for by political candidates should be identified as such and “if it is paid for by a local government office, then the people should know that it is taxpayers’ money that is being spent, in clear violation of the electoral law.”
Transparency of the nature of the programs warrants that the KBP “discern which blocktimers are paid by political campaign groups. It is within the KBP’s powers to police the ranks of broadcast practitioners all over the country. In a landmark election such as the 2010 ballot, the media should let voters know when talk shows are part of someone’s political campaign.
Warned the statement: “If the press is to retain public trust, then press programs—and these include any program that carries political information—should be autonomous and independent of political pressure and influence. The public should know if talk show programs have been bought to serve the purpose of advertising for candidates.”
Blocktimers need not be blocked but named. So the public may know them. And what interests they represent.
This, where radio and television blocktimers that mushroom at every campaign are concerned.
It is no secret that a number of these blocktime shows are funded by candidates for political posts or elected officials using local government funds. The latter’s dalliance in mass media euphemized as part of the LGU’s IEC – for information, education and communication – campaign.
“The persistence of politically-sponsored block-time news and public affairs programs masquerading as independent news and commentary reflects a highly dysfunctional press system.” So read a statement of working mediamen from across the country at a recent roundtable discussion sponsored by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility.
Furthered the statement: “The commercial nature of most media enterprises in the Philippines makes elections a high-revenue season. But it is incumbent on the owners of such businesses to observe their responsibilities to the public and to disclose fully the source of sponsorship for the programs they air. Otherwise, the public may be misled and influenced by those they may perceive to be independent commentators but are after all only paid hacks.”
On that premise, the media practitioners sounded a call for the Kapisanan ng Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP) to take a serious look into these blocktime programs and their hosts, to wit:
“These programs are obviously part of the campaigns of candidates. Unfortunately, these are not identified as political advertising, and can be misconstrued as independent commentary over radio.
“As a self-regulatory body for broadcast media, the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas upholds ethical practice among their members and requires them to make sure that their programs observe professional values.
“One of the tenets of news and public affairs programs is to make the distinction clear between news and information and advertising material such as commercials..”
Thus, political space and airtime paid for by political candidates should be identified as such and “if it is paid for by a local government office, then the people should know that it is taxpayers’ money that is being spent, in clear violation of the electoral law.”
Transparency of the nature of the programs warrants that the KBP “discern which blocktimers are paid by political campaign groups. It is within the KBP’s powers to police the ranks of broadcast practitioners all over the country. In a landmark election such as the 2010 ballot, the media should let voters know when talk shows are part of someone’s political campaign.
Warned the statement: “If the press is to retain public trust, then press programs—and these include any program that carries political information—should be autonomous and independent of political pressure and influence. The public should know if talk show programs have been bought to serve the purpose of advertising for candidates.”
Blocktimers need not be blocked but named. So the public may know them. And what interests they represent.
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