Paragons of principled news coverage

IN THE recent years, media has been infamously known for its aggression on its coverage on news stories and information dissemination. The media has been labeled as the "bad guy", which is in contrast to its supposedly moral duties of being a deliverer of truth and an initiator of public opinion.

The world of media is also sprawled with temptations that greatly test the values of its practitioners. It requires a very strong foundation of principles in both its journalists and the media entity to stand its ground and not to be swept away by the manipulative prowess of power- hungry and selfish individuals.

A look in our history during the Marcos dictatorship proves that the Philippine media is not innocent in committing biases and delivering distorted truths.

Envelopmental journalism and crony media entities were prevalent in the dark time of Philippine media history.

It is a great comfort to know that in the city of Davao, local newspaper entities have armored themselves with principles and values in delivering the truth to its citizens. They have established firm policies that must be followed at all times.

Newspaper entities such as the Sun.Star Davao, Mindanao Daily Mirror and Mindanao Times have proven to be the most reliable and credible among newspaper entities in the city.

Sun.Star Davao, which has garnered numerous awards that acknowledge its efforts in delivering honest and fair news, enforces each and every journalist to comply with their code of policies and observe proper decorum in gathering their news.

It also has a very strict prohibition regarding bribes and gifts with ulterior motives.

The Mindanao Daily Mirror, one of the oldest newspaper entities established in the city, has been around in its third generation of familial ownership.

Although Mindanao Daily Mirror lacks the newest technology that in newspaper printing, this does not hinder them to deliver the unadulterated truth to the citizens of Davao.

Mindanao Times is another competent and objective news entity that focuses its attention to the local issues of Mindanao.

Although these newspaper entities have a long way to go if brought in to the arena of national print media, foundation of values and principles are already embedded in their daily practice, which, with it alone, can lead to success far greater than any material reward.

The perseverance of these news entities in delivering the truth and treading on the road of ethical news coverage can lead them to become paragons of integrity for other newspaper entities across the nation to follow.