WHEN the lapses of the Southeast Asian Games’ preparation were being presented by media, some quarters blame the media for showing “crab mentality” and embarrassing the country. Is media to blame for our attention to these errors and not on the event or the athletes?
It’s time for a little journalism 101, or a Dean Luis Teodoro-speak.
Journalism, or sports journalism in this case, will highlight the ups and downs, achievements and failures of a sports event. We see that in coverages be it international events or local sports where everything from scores, medals, outstanding performers, to problems, conflicts and complaints getting their day on the press.
That the first two days the coverage was focused on problems in the accommodation of foreign athletes was a reportage of facts. True, there was a couple of fake news thrown into the mainstream. But the fact is, coaches of the neighboring competing teams did complain of poor transportation, lack of food being served, poor facilities and all.
In fairness, media got the side of the host organizers, from Speaker Alan Cayetano and other parties involved and the adjustments made the next few days were also reported.
The role of media is always to be the watchdog. Raising the problems could be embarrassing, but foreign media are also pointing out these problems so this is not a question of bias.
The reactions to this coverage is naturally negative, because we believe in our culture that we are the most hospitable people in the world, and we don’t want guests to be uncomfortable. There’s a Bisaya reaction to that, “Maulaw pod ta ani oy.”
I agree that we need to boost our coverage about the athletes. Besides, the event is all about them, their sacrifice and their dreams to carry our country for glory.
In general, our athletes haven’t gotten the attention they deserve, most especially from our government. Politicking and the lack of national interest has always deprived us of that of sense of pride to wear our national colors.
Even now, some athletes are still complaining there is selectiveness even in getting into the national team. There’s a lot of things to be sorted out.
But for now, we cheer for the athletes who poured blood, sweat, and tears to make it to this event in hopes to achieve pride and medal for our country.
The matter is, we praise what is right, that is the achievement of the athletes and those who are working to make this SEA games memorable. We also correct what is needed to be corrected.
P.S. Let’s go for the win.