Media Monitor: The Manila Times on De Lima's alleged affair

(Old)

The Manila Times in a headline news article on August 21 titled "Love affair led to corruption," narrated the details of Duterte's speech during a news conference in Davao. It was the president's statement against Senator Leila de Lima and her alleged intimate affair with her driver and how the two are linked with the drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

The Manila Times, the oldest English newspaper in the Philippines

The problem comes when the publication included a photo of the senator, who was a former Justice Secretary, in a bikini and surrounded by her personal guards. Moreover, the title, which was paired with a quotation mark, was not a verbatim statement of the president nor was it mentioned in the article, hence assuming that it was The Manila Times who created the headline.

As prescribed on the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, journalists should:

Seek Truth and Report It

• Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information. Clearly label illustrations and re-enactments.

Minimize Harm

• Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
• Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.

Be Accountable and Transparent

• Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organizations.

As prescribed on the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) Code of Ethics, journalists should:

• I shall not, in any manner, ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural, and ethnic origin.

Despite the article not solely focused on Duterte's speech, with narration of how Senator Leila de Lima reacted to the accusation, the publication should not let its prejudices hinder ethical practices and their responsibility as a professional journalist. Even if the news agency supports an individual or a particular side, journalists should be wary of his work's implications on his image and that of the publication.

On the instance that a news agency is known for its biases, then a journalist should not succumb to the views of the publication to please them or whatnot.

The photo and the headline only sensationalized the issue and directed the public's attention to Secretary Leila de Lima. Instead of educating the public, the publication only intensified the public outrage over the president's accusation on de Lima.

We suggest that Llanesca Panti, writer of the article, be wary of the attachments on her article and protest against the publication's unethical practices. 

‘Love affair led to corruption’

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