The Senate media rebuked Senator Rodante Marcoleta for claiming many journalists are 'paid hacks', calling it an irresponsible and reckless attack on a vital democratic institution. Marcoleta accused media members of corruption during a Senate hearing, though he later expressed regret for his phrasing, stating he did not mean to target all journalists. The media group emphasized that criticism of coverage is legitimate but must be backed by evidence, warning against inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions and dragging journalists into political rivalries.
"We, the members of the Senate media, condemn in the strongest possible sense the sweeping claim by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta that many members of the mainstream media are nothing more than paid hacks," they said in a statement.
They added Marcoleta's remarks were"not only irresponsible, but a reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy.
" "Marcoleta's statement unfairly maligned media workers who risk intimidation, harassment and even their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable," they further said. The Senate media also stressed that criticism of news coverage is legitimate, but public officials have a responsibility to support allegations against journalists with evidence.
"Public officials, such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence instead of just relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions," the group said. At the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee over which he presided, Marcoleta accused members of the media of being corrupt. "Sasabihin ko na sa inyo ito.
Meron po bang nagsalita sa kanila? Kayo pong members ng media, tinanong n'yo po ba sila kung bakit nagpakatahimik sila? Halos 10 buwang singkad hindi sila kumibo," he added, referring to the former Marines presented in the hearing. He later said,""Di ko nilalahat.
I’m coming from deep frustration… Pasensya na po kung ako ay nakapagsalita ng ganoon. I did not mean it.
" The statement of the Senate media further emphasized that journalists should not be dragged into political rivalries.
"The Fourth Estate exists to serve the public interest. Its duty is to pursue facts, verify information, question those in power, and report developments without fear or favor," it said. The Senate media said the press is neither the enemy of any political faction nor an extension of any political machinery.
"Its allegiance must remain solely to the truth and to the public it serves. Journalists deserve neither blind praise nor baseless condemnation, but they do deserve the freedom to report without being branded, bullied, or sacrificed in the political battles of others," they said. During the resumption of the Senate hearing on the flood control mess, Marcoleta also questioned journalists over their coverage of witnesses who recently came forward with allegations related to the probe.
"Kayo pong mga participants sa media na karamihan po sa inyo ay bayaran ," he said. "Sasabihin ko na sa inyo ito. Meron po bang nagsalita sa kanila? Kayo pong members ng media, tinanong n'yo po ba sila kung bakit nagpakatahimik sila?
Halos 10 buwang singkad hindi sila kumibo ," he added.
In a separate statement, the National Press Club said Marcoleta's accusations are a reckless upfront attack on an institution acknowledged as very important to a democracy. NPC president Leonel Abasola said media practitioners should be allowed to do their job independently, doing away with pressure, threats, intimidation, or political coercion on either side.
"Journalists must remain free to report the truth based on facts, not with unverified information, and it should not yield to pressure or bribes from those in government, those seeking power, or those fighting to stay in power," he added. Abasola said government officials should exercise restraint and be"responsible enough in their pronouncements in this time of disinformation and the proliferation of fake news. "
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