MEDIA practitioners could be considered news junkies as we make it a point to get updated on the latest news. We have to sift through the information though especially when it is coming from social media.
For the past six months, I found it very stressful to be watching television news with all its negativity… one gets an overdose of alleged extra-judicial killings, summary executions and testimonies that were self-serving in congressional hearings. I should also mention the gutter language and threats to declare martial law coming from our president.
There were instances when I pressed the off button of my TV set for three reasons: One, I am horrified by the wanton disregard for human life. Second, when lies are passed on as truth. Third, when our president spits venom against anybody who disagrees with his style of governance.
It is my observation that the MTRCB warning for parental guidance is not shown before airing the evening news in some TV networks. I believe the parental guidance advisory should be aired so our young could be guided accordingly. Should our young grow up thinking that it is all right to shoot someone on mere suspicion without the benefit of judicial process? Do we want our children and grandchildren to have the impression that vigilante killings and summary executions are acceptable? Do we really want our kids to have dirty mouths?
The young easily pick from what the adults do or say. I remember some children playing marbles in the street during the dark years of the Marcos dictatorial regime. I overheard one child saying: “Ah, way Marcosay.” He was alluding to his cheating playmate.
Parallel to the above incident is what I have heard from a young lad who felt shortchanged: “Ipa Duterte tika.”
While bad news prevails in our present society, evil should not be condoned. In the prayers of the faithful during the Sunday mass, there is always the inclusion for the petition against violence. The Church just issued a prayer as a form of petition against the possible reinstatement of the death penalty in our penal system.
The rich can hire a battery of lawyers while the poor do not even have the resources to hire a good lawyer. So, the death penalty is bad news for the underprivileged.
What Congress should have done first, is overhaul the justice system before even moving on to initiatives favoring the death penalty.