A storm brings the wind from all directions. The news hit the unwary public like a hurricane. Undoubtedly no one ever imagined that Ted Failon, a popular TV newscaster, would himself be the news. This is not the first time that celebrities have been dragged into stormy situations like this. Mr. Failon however is not just a celebrity. This community-awarded status was attained primarily because of his being a broadcast journalist. To put it bluntly, his prominence comes from his viewers. This recent event would again put journalism ethics under the lens.
According to Prof. Danny Arao of the UP College of Mass Communication, “Media ethics becomes an issue with regard to a person's right to privacy.” The issue is not whether the media should cover the story or not because Mr. Failon’s position does not grant him any exemption from his “kindred spirits.” He himself of all people must accept this. Meanwhile, those on the heels of the story should be able to distinguish or discern which details are to be published. A private matter is exactly that unless it is needed to make the news objective and factual beyond reasonable doubt.
Other perceived ethical issues involve that of objectivity and fair play. This propped up because of the conflicting details from the various media outlets that are obviously having a field day. A critical audience may detect how a story is put on a certain angle but not the general public. A photograph of a media executive or a high profile public official consorting with Mr. Failon may brew up a wrong impression from an unknowing reader or viewer. How far would these giant media would networks stoop down to get high or fly high to get low? At the moment, the issue is definitely causing a lot of damage, one way or another. This would need the expertise of a very good and credible publicist, if ever there is one.
In the end, it must not be forgotten that it will be the public who will definitely have the last-say in this. It is them who will decide what to see and hear then determine what the truth is. Moreover, all these would depend on the judgment-call of the writer or reporter and it would reflect whatever boot-camp he came from. (Photo courtesy of bantay-media.iwarp.com)
According to Prof. Danny Arao of the UP College of Mass Communication, “Media ethics becomes an issue with regard to a person's right to privacy.” The issue is not whether the media should cover the story or not because Mr. Failon’s position does not grant him any exemption from his “kindred spirits.” He himself of all people must accept this. Meanwhile, those on the heels of the story should be able to distinguish or discern which details are to be published. A private matter is exactly that unless it is needed to make the news objective and factual beyond reasonable doubt.
Other perceived ethical issues involve that of objectivity and fair play. This propped up because of the conflicting details from the various media outlets that are obviously having a field day. A critical audience may detect how a story is put on a certain angle but not the general public. A photograph of a media executive or a high profile public official consorting with Mr. Failon may brew up a wrong impression from an unknowing reader or viewer. How far would these giant media would networks stoop down to get high or fly high to get low? At the moment, the issue is definitely causing a lot of damage, one way or another. This would need the expertise of a very good and credible publicist, if ever there is one.
In the end, it must not be forgotten that it will be the public who will definitely have the last-say in this. It is them who will decide what to see and hear then determine what the truth is. Moreover, all these would depend on the judgment-call of the writer or reporter and it would reflect whatever boot-camp he came from. (Photo courtesy of bantay-media.iwarp.com)
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