OZAMIZ CITY: Saying its about time to do something, members of the Misamis Occidental Media Practitioners Society (MOMPS) met Sunday, Jan. 29, to discuss and put in particular order public criticisms on poor news handling and commentaries in identified news outfits around the province.
Expedita “Thata” Roxas, MOMPS president, told Philippine Preview in an email the meeting was a manner of restructuring and changing around some policies in the group, like guidance, training and ethics.
She added this will help certify media practitioners with full credibility and accountability while offering solutions to the repeated dilemma of ragtag journalism.
Roxas expressed her desire for the motivation of all media practitioners in friendship, dynamic activity, example and self-respect.
It can be recalled that disagreements, petulant quarrels and news competition, with some members riding on the political bandwagon, almost dissolved the group in the past. Learning from its lessons, MOMPS members promised to be on the lookout from thereon.
The continued existence of the group will help put an end to more discord and strenghten the connection of every member, said Neptalie Batolenio of DxDD-AM.
The influence and inspiration of the media group went beyond its coverage, even instilling fear and respect in the society and on both national and local officials who tried to dip their hands in media work, likewise said Elena Pelare of Lumad TV.
In its meeting, MOMPS selected new members to its screening, membership, finance and education committees. It also agreed to hold on Feb. 18 a seminar on police invitation to media in relation to law enforcement and trafficking raids.
Roxas ends by saying MOMPS aims to persuade public trust once again, get qualified and respectable media practitioners and get rid of addicts before discovering it late. (MIKE MEDINA)