In all its many forms—print, radio, television and the internet—media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy. Some even refer to it as the Fourth Estate or Power, along with the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches of government.
Although not formally recognized, the role of media is accepted as part of a political system for its significant social influence, its capacity to jumpstart advocacy and ability to frame political issues all while basically bringing news and information to the general populace.
Always at the forefront of calamities, upheavals and pandemics – sometimes even ahead of agencies that are supposed to bring aid or rescue those in distress – media personnel, for all their hard work and sacrifice as carrier of tidings, are however often down the ladder when it comes to recognition and appreciation.
At times like this, media is crucial in bringing life-saving information. History will show that in the 1918 pandemic, infamously known as the Spanish Flu, the H1N1 virus earned the name only because it was a neutral Spanish press that aggressively reported on the condition. The phenomenon gave the false impression that the virus had come from Spain, but all the same, people were learning about it.
Over a hundred years later, the Wuhan outbreak, which is now the catastrophic Coronavirus pandemic we live in, people are staying home as asked and world leaders are being held accountable to protect their nations, because media is fulfilling its duties.
ECQ Day 52
This health crisis that brought the world to its knees demonstrated that the most significant individuals in society are medical health workers. But worthy of recognition too are the other frontliners – pharmacy and grocery store workers, police and military personnel, motorcycle riders delivering food and essential goods, and those of essential industries and services so that life goes on for everyone despite the health threat.
For Filipino journalists, it was only on the 52nd day of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), May 3, that their role as frontliners was widely acknowledged in time for the observance of World Press Freedom Day.
“The government extends its utmost gratitude to our brave men and women of the Philippine media who have dedicated their lives to the service of the Filipino people against the pandemic. You truly are heroes in the war against Covid-19,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar stated.
The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) – the only agency in the world to be created with the principal objective of upholding the welfare of Filipino journalists and media workers – has been tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to pursue programs that will protect Filipino journalists against the hazards of doing their duty, including the violence they face in the regions.
“As the whole world wages war against an invisible enemy, Filipinos have come to realize the importance of the role that journalists and media workers play in this time of crisis,” PTFoMS furthered in a statement.
In today’s issue, therefore, The Sunday Times Magazine proudly salutes the media frontliners who continue to uphold their commitment in bringing news and infotainment despite the risk of contracting the dreaded Coronavirus, traveling each day from home to coverage, studios and offices to serve the Filipino people.
William Thio,
PNA Newsroom anchor
“The most difficult aspect of Covid-19 is that the world was not prepared for it. Moreover, the virus is new, so everyone was in the dark on how to even ‘understand’ it,” William Thio, a Star Circle Batch 5 member-turned-broadcaster, told The Sunday Times Magazine in an email interview.
A grandnephew of showbiz and public service icon Rosa Rosal, this dedicated newsman first stepped into the limelight alongside John Lloyd Cruz, Baron Geisler and Shaina Magdayao among others, but realized he was not cut for acting. Rational and intuitive, he auditioned to do the news after living abroad for several years.
“It was a hard adjustment at first, but I eventually learned to appreciate the opportunity to still be able to do what I love and be of help to others in the process. Furthermore, I have become privy to the situation on the ground and I will have my own personal story to tell when this is all over.”
As news anchor-host [of shows “Spotlight” and “Why News” on UNTV after “Opinion Leader” and “News Force” on GNN, and “Damayan Ngayon” on PTV 4], he is also active on social media to help people with their questions.
“[Viewers] want to know more about the virus and why we are on lockdown in the first place. One of their [and everyone’s] biggest frustrations is that no one really knows how long it will be, as they are concerned about losing their jobs and no longer be able to provide for themselves and their families. Then, there is the question of uncertainty and the big question of ‘What if I contract Covid-19? What will I do? Will I die?’ These are the main questions people ask themselves,” he said.
In giving them accurate information, even outside his shows, Thio is grateful to be of help to ease some of their worry if he can.
“There is also emotional and mental factor and other psychological concerns all rolled into one, and this is the greatest challenge of all. After the lockdown of over two months, what will happen to our lives? Is there still something to return to?” he posed.
On a personal note, Thio shared that another aspect he values in his job is that it allows him to learn so much every day.
“Being able to disseminate and process information as well as public service is what my heart beats for. The media, in general, is vital, as people need to be informed. And with this information, they can plan and move forward and adapt to what lies ahead,” he concluded.
Albert Antivo, DWWW anchor and iFM 93.1 DJ
Anchoring shows for six years now, both over Radio Mindanao’s AM and FM frequencies, Albert Antivo is also tasked to do daily news reports from Congress. But this time, like other media entities, RMN is on Special Coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, which he anchors from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
“While it was easy to go around and look for newsworthy events or stories without any hassle, this time is totally a big challenge for us media practitioners. Ngayon sobrang daming dapat i-consider, just like yung safety mo at pag-observe sa strict guidelines and protocols under ECQ,” the Samar native shared with The Sunday Times Magazine via Facebook Messenger.
“Mas kailangan na maging maingat at sensitive sa mga binibitiwang salita dahil mas maraming [tao ang] emotional ngayon dahil sa krisis. Also, kailangan mong magsilbing inspirasyon nila to boost their fighting spirit despite the negative things happening around, kaya you need to be creative sa paghatid ng balita na hindi dadagdag sa isipin at worry nila,” he added.
Listeners have only one immediate concern at this time of lockdown, he said, and that is for officials to listen to their cries for “ayuda.”
“Kaya ako, personally, I make it a point to read their text messages kahit pare-pareho at paulit-ulit to amplify their voice. At this time kasi, the government [seems to] only listen to experts to combat the pandemic. Yung health issues, general concern ng lahat yun. Pero sa karaniwag tao na listeners namin, mas urgent para sa kanila yung maabutan ng relief goods or cash assistance,” he stressed.
Jay Machete, 91.5 Win Radio anchor
“Working in the ‘new normal’ is far different from the pre-Covid-19 pandemic. It’s just basically one technician, one anchor and one or two office personnel in the everyday operations. While my listeners were concerned more about entertainment issues and advice to letter-senders before, now they are more concerned about news and updates,” the former entertainment journalist known as Joey Sarmiento shared.
On board Mondays to Fridays 12 noon to 4 p.m., he said that reporting for work even when there is a risk keeps him and other media frontliners physically and mentally healthy.
“Also, public service by delivering news is of the utmost important nowadays, and I see that this ‘new normal’ may take longer than hoped for until a vaccine is available. So we should be used to wearing masks and observe social distancing all the time. It also means no more gatherings inside the booth and no more station visits from listeners; and news every hour is top priority,” he said.
‘Happy Times’ despite the crisis
True to its tagline, “Trusted since 1898,” The Manila Times – the country’s oldest newspaper and Asia’s pioneering English daily – continues to bring news and information to the Filipino, from Intramuros, Manila to the rest of the world day in and day out—except this year’s Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Black Saturday.
With editorial staff mostly working from home when the community quarantine was declared then the Enhanced Community Quarantine was imposed on March 18, a small group of editors, editorial assistants, photographers and layout artists have been religiously reporting to the newsroom to put the paper to bed every night and keep the online version updated.
With public transport halted and to protect them from further exposure to the virus, management had staffers without their own vehicles fetched and taken home every day by the company service– one for the north and another for the south.
The newsroom is certainly quieter during ECQ given the lean workforce, but everyone still shares a laugh—and food—with social distancing around 6 or 7 p.m. when final layout and copy is approved and the paper is ready to be sent to press.
“Although the daily pages are down by half, basically work is the same for us in the layout department,” Layout Section Head Peter Baga said, adding that only one of his staffers is working from home, taking care of the Special Features, Public Square and similar pages.
Regularly reporting to do desk work are News Editor Leena Chua, National Editor Lynette Luna, Business Editor Alvin Dacanay, Night Editor Dafort Villaseran, Sports Editor Perry Mallari, Senior Special Sections Editor Conrad Cariño, Deskmen Ash Medina, Cielo Cancel, Christine Gaylican and the author, Editorial Assistants Reggie Abang and Red Mendoza, and photographer Enrique Agcaoili.
President and CEO Dante Francis Ang 2nd also comes in Saturdays and Sundays to personally oversee editorial work as de facto Editor-in-Chief.
Dacanay, however, expressed that the recognition of journalists as frontline heroes is appreciated, but it is what the profession demands, with or without the pandemic.
“Much as I appreciate the unusual recognition of media professionals working during this coronavirus pandemic as ‘frontline heroes,’ it is not something I or industry colleagues aspire for. What we do aspire for is to report news of great importance or interest to readers as fast and as best as we could — news that are fresh, relevant and many-sided, news that would help effect changes. It is what our profession as well as our readers demand of us, whatever the circumstances,” he said.
“If people do appreciate us, I hope this appreciation stays long even when this pandemic has ended – long enough that it would manifest in a truly tangible way,” the Business Editor concluded to The Sunday Times Magazine.