Seriously?
In case many of you, especially those in the Duterte camp, have not noticed, there is now a gathering of your enemies outside the gates or more appropriately in social media. They have popped up like poisonous mushrooms after being rained upon by the spit of incoming President Rodrigo Duterte who has not minced his words or deleted expletives in telling the people of Imperial Manila what he thinks of them.
At the moment it would seem that Duterte’s critics are simply being as “Belligerent” as he is. But what caught my eye was when someone actually called for “Du-dirty” RESIGN.” Seriously? Duterte can’t resign as Mayor unless he has an acceptable reason and he obviously can’t resign as President since he has not even taken his oath of office. Even foreign media has called for a Boycott of the incoming President. One group actually asked to interview me for my reactions on Duterte’s comments about media. But when I said that Duterte was “spot on,” that was the end of it.
It seems that we have all gotten used to getting what we want, hearing what we want and being in control of events, engagements, statements and expectations all based on our collective adherence to “Political Correctness.” Then one day, someone named Rodrigo Duterte wins the Presidency and violates our sensibilities or defies publicly established behavior, we react with sanctimonious violence through word or thought, albeit “civilized,” proper indignation. What I found interesting in people’s reaction to Duterte’s “rants” is that they took it personally. That alone speaks tons.
When Duterte spoke of the three kinds of media people; “The Crusader, the Media for vested interest, and the corrupt son’s of bitches.” It was not news to me except the idea that there are still real crusading journalists in the Philippines. The impression I had was that they have all been killed in the last two administrations or forced to immigrate because no one cared about their crusades, and their salaries would not even pay for their cremation! Every time I teach the Communications module at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City, I have made it a point to teach government executives that there are Three Ages of Philippine Media.
The first was Pre-War, Post War, and Post Martial Law. During Pre World War II, Media in the Philippines was generally about advocacies or as Duterte called it “Crusading Journalists.” World War II destroyed 90% of Manila, which was the equivalent of today’s Metro Manila. As a result people put up businesses to make a living and media became a business and a profession out of the need for survival. Media became a job and all about profit. There were still crusading Journalists up until the time of Martial Law and then all of that stopped.
Post Martial law or 17 years after, media evolved from profession to corporation. Independent media got eaten up, independent programs and block timers became extinct. The media professional in general is now a poorly paid employee with no job security. As corporations they have become just another asset of conglomerates or stockholders with many other businesses and vested interests. The Advertisers are king, there are sacred cows even among those who claim to fear or favor no one.
So yes, most of the real working media actually represent “vested interest” and are connected with companies with vested interests. The problem I believe is that many people took it to be an insult instead of a statement of fact. As far as the “corrupt sons of bitches in media” well, hey! Even real working media people have names for them: Medyo-media, Media-mediahan, or Merienda media. If Duterte’s last three public speeches/Press Conference are an indicator of things to come, the incoming President will have to really strategize on the communications plan of his administration. He should also get real professionals on board because this is one situation where new ways and new answers will be needed to get government’s message across.
Try as he may, I doubt very much if President Duterte can sustain restraint, political correctness, and polite conversation for six straight years. I hope he surprises all of us, but if his past performance says anything, it says his people will need to craft a system that avoids conflict. It may surprise people but I fully support the idea that the Duterte administration put a stop to those Press Conferences.
Instead, his people should simply issue updates, statements and announcements. If the President has something to say let him say it but no direct questions, instead defer to cabinet members or give out media/ press kits. This approach reminds me of what a Singaporean minister was quoted as saying:
“We are in the business of doing things – not explaining things.” For Duterte it should be: “Less Talk – Less Mistakes.”
The fact of the matter is that too much time of the President and government officials are wasted in talks shows and interviews especially in the beginning of office hours. With Duterte’s 1 PM to sawa work schedule, Morning prime time news as we know it will soon undergo a very painful transition. And for those who this early in the game want to stir things up against the incoming administration, just a word of caution. There is a difference between opinion and belligerence and the latter can get you into trouble as you may learn from the book of Romans: Romans 13: 1-7 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do
right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.