OZAMIZ CITY—When it comes to friendship with the media, Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos has many, not because of envelopmental journalism, but because he’s a newsmaker.
Still, Ocampos cautions media they will not be welcome friends when election period comes because of politics-motivated excitement, disputes, difference of opinion including the white and black propaganda of both politicians and media.
“I don’t care if you vote for me or not. What’s important is you tell the truth,” the governor strikes a chord to journalists.
“Kay kaming mga politiko magpataka ra og storya and sometimes the truth blurs,” he added, predicting the political mood.
Ocampos said he hold the media profession in high regard and their role as icons of democracy but reminded them of the consequences of unfair reporting, especially when journalists keep tight deadlines and in the pursuit to come out with the news, put forward one-sided and unwarranted reports.
Ocampos, who is running for the congressional seat in the second district, also predicted that antagonism may one day come to members of the fourth estate especially that its election period.
“In reporting a story, stay in the middle; be neutral even if it is difficult. You will be subjected to different interpretations, usahay ma-misunderstood mo. But as long as your heart is pure and you are speaking the truth, nothing will happen. You will stand tall and liberate yourself,” he said.
Ocampos then reminded journalists to be responsible members of the community too and pay attention to the shenanigans being employed by candidates in the coming May elections, like vote-buying, as he said he is apprehensive with the holding of the first ever automated polls in the country.
“I want you to exercise your freedom. Find the truth. You are the strong voice of idealism. You must campaign for the truth and disregard politics,” he said.
The governor then mentioned his observation that this year’s election has taken the form of a mass-media based campaign and counter-advertising that attempts to change the behavior of the electorate, especially the youth voters.
“The more you spend the more high your ratings will be. There’s falsehood everywhere. The challenge now is how you look at the person and vote for him,” he concluded.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
Still, Ocampos cautions media they will not be welcome friends when election period comes because of politics-motivated excitement, disputes, difference of opinion including the white and black propaganda of both politicians and media.
“I don’t care if you vote for me or not. What’s important is you tell the truth,” the governor strikes a chord to journalists.
“Kay kaming mga politiko magpataka ra og storya and sometimes the truth blurs,” he added, predicting the political mood.
Ocampos said he hold the media profession in high regard and their role as icons of democracy but reminded them of the consequences of unfair reporting, especially when journalists keep tight deadlines and in the pursuit to come out with the news, put forward one-sided and unwarranted reports.
Ocampos, who is running for the congressional seat in the second district, also predicted that antagonism may one day come to members of the fourth estate especially that its election period.
“In reporting a story, stay in the middle; be neutral even if it is difficult. You will be subjected to different interpretations, usahay ma-misunderstood mo. But as long as your heart is pure and you are speaking the truth, nothing will happen. You will stand tall and liberate yourself,” he said.
Ocampos then reminded journalists to be responsible members of the community too and pay attention to the shenanigans being employed by candidates in the coming May elections, like vote-buying, as he said he is apprehensive with the holding of the first ever automated polls in the country.
“I want you to exercise your freedom. Find the truth. You are the strong voice of idealism. You must campaign for the truth and disregard politics,” he said.
The governor then mentioned his observation that this year’s election has taken the form of a mass-media based campaign and counter-advertising that attempts to change the behavior of the electorate, especially the youth voters.
“The more you spend the more high your ratings will be. There’s falsehood everywhere. The challenge now is how you look at the person and vote for him,” he concluded.
REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
