THINK ABOUT IT

Silva, Cristine Hazel S.

THINK ABOUT IT

According to unknown author, media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. They have the ability to control the minds of the mass.

It’s true that mass media can manipulate on how we think and somehow react on certain and controversial issues. Journalism has an unusual capacity to serve as watchdog over those whose power and position most affect citizens. That is one of the reasons why it has a huge impact to our society.

Just as reflected in the article of Maria Ressa, if there are certain issues about their network, they just bear in mind and treat the story as if they aren’t ABS-CBN, they are journalist first.

The main purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with accurate and reliable information they need to function in a free society. Their first obligation is to deliver just and truthful news. They make sure that they do not protect any vested interest. They must be accountable for the benefit of the people. With that few principles of journalism, it evidently affirms that every journalist must have a personal sense of ethics and responsibility- a moral compass.

I believe that news is not just all about truth and integrity; it must possess an ethical standard. There are principles that will guide us to better public service. There are limitations to remind us in our boundaries and restrictions in press freedom.

Once we enter the gigantic world of media, we must already set our minds in the focal point of the work, which is to deliver fair and reliable news. There are lots of criticisms and dilemmas along the way. It’s a step by step process of getting use to it and remembering your purpose. It’s a day by day working and learning experience.