|
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Speak out: Journalistic gunslinger
By Rolando Valenzuela
Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City
Are government employees, who moonlight as journalists, exempt from complying with Ethical Codes of Conduct? That question arises in columns of Valeriano “Bobbit” Avila, who is a government employee.
He serves in the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority board. As Citom head, he is a subordinate of the city mayor. He gets honoraria and other perks from national and city government.
A column is a trust. It should not further interests of the column writer, his employer, family members, special friends, etc. Delicadeza dictates that he should refrain from writing about them in his column.
Furthermore, all journalism codes of conduct have stringent provisions against conflict of interest.
Yet, Avila wrote about fire trucks for Mactan airport. After an all expense trip to the US, did Mactan airport officials buy a fire truck?
His knuckles were rapped for blatant conflict of interest by the prestigious Businessworld. In his weekly column on media, Vergel Santos pointed out it was unethical for Avila to stay in government and write a column. Magsaysay Award winner Raul Locsin had a flat prohibition against government employees writing as columnists.
Despite ethics and tradition, Avila praises his employer, projects, activities, etc. He writes glowingly about his boss’ wife, etc. As the election nears, he assails those who buck his boss. His recent target is the multi-awarded barangay captain, Mary Ann de los Santos, who always licked the Bando in Lahug.
Isn’t it time Avila selects where his allegiance lies? To journalism or to City Hall power holders. Otherwise, he remains a journalistic gunslinger.
(April 22, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
