The Philippine Online Chronicles

Continued from The Corona Impeachment Trial: Is the Media Biased? (Part 1)

Social media

Even social media sites are bombarded by chatter regarding the impeachment trial, most of which are against the chief justice. One tweet called ABS-CBN “Aquino Broadcasting System, Cojuanco Business Network” because of the extensive coverage that the network has given the trial.

The social site Rappler has also come under fire from other bloggers because of the perceived bias of the site against Corona.

The people have taken to the online world to discuss what is going on, and here, it is even harder to filter and monitor who said what.

However, unlike TV shows and newspaper reports, the online community has the added advantage of getting immediate real time feedback from the readers and other bloggers.

Senators shouldn’t talk

Senator Judge Franklin Drilon has been asked to inhibit from the case because according to the defense panel, he is biased against CJ Corona. However, he has exercised his right to participate and has not inhibited as asked. As it is, there are no rules regarding inhibition of the senator judges when participating in the trial.

All the senator judges have been reminded by the senate president and by other senators themselves to inhibit “from discussing the merits of the case” to the press. This is not a gag order, although that’s what we probably need now.

Aquino’s pursuit of Corona

Malacanang Palace has been very vocal about its desire to remove the chief justice from office. The press release is to clean up the government so that we can achieve a “matuwid na daan.” President Aquino seems to want his own man in the Supreme Court.

However, he may not exactly be putting the best man on the job, when even before a trial featuring the former president has come about, his man is already hell bent on convicting Arroyo. So much for impartiality, a necessary criteria for any judge. Isn’t this one of the impeachable articles against Corona?

The Corona camp has been adamant that Aquino not only wants to appoint his own chief justice; he is getting back at Corona for lifting the TRO of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. At the same time, Corona has said that Aquino is going after him because of the Supreme Court decision to finally distribute the lands of Hacienda Luisita, which has long been in the Cojuanco family.

Aquino has so successfully gotten the impeachment proceedings to move quickly, that the public hasn’t had much time to focus on his own shortcomings as a president. As propaganda to divert the attention of the people against the downward spiral of the Philippine economy, the Corona impeachment has worked beautifully.

Media attention to be expected

It is to be expected that the Corona impeachment will garner incredible media attention. It is after all historical to attempt to impeach a sitting Supreme Court justice. For one thing, not much else is going on. The only thing that will probably put the trial to a standstill or divert the people’s attention is if any top ranking government official dies, commits suicide or gets assassinated or if something else more exciting happens, like Manny Pacquiao finally deciding to make a go for a fight with Mayweather.

Ayaw ng bastusan

The defense team has repeatedly remarked on the incredible amount of media attention being given the trial. It has had to constantly remind the prosecution team to be responsible when revealing information to the public that is pertinent to the case.

They do not want to go on their own media blitz because they said they don’t want to stoop to the same level as the prosecution team. So far, they have been acting with dignity and have been tight-lipped, preferring to make their revelations in court. They have so far been successful in rebutting and refuting many of the prosecutor’s allegations during the trial.

Because they are so tight-lipped and instead wait to talk till they get to court, the media has only the prosecution’s side to discuss, feature and make headlines out of. Since they’re not feeding the media much of their side, the media outlets work with what they have, and the prosecution is only all too happy to yap away.

With power comes responsibility

The media is a very powerful, and the way its power is being wielded in the coverage of the Chief Justice’s impeachment trial is a reminder to everyone just how strong and influential it can be.

We are fortunate to be a country that enjoys many freedoms, including freedom of speech. This means you can pretty much say whatever you want, and you won’t get arrested unless you fall under libel.

However, this power and freedom also comes with it a tremendous amount of responsibility.

The media has the added burden of having to be unbiased. They need to allow the public to form their own opinion. It is the media’s responsibility to present the facts from both sides. They may present opinion but it shouldn’t be a headline, and it should be done in an appropriate channel.

In this regard, the public then has a responsibility to be vigilant about the information they receive so that they can make their own responsible and intelligent opinions and decisions. At the same time, the media should be responsible about what they put out.

At the end of the day, the truth, in all its forms, is what we all want to see, hear and read.

Photo from Philippine Senate website. Some rights reserved.