2013 Election: IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL MEDIA AS AVENUE FOR REACHING THE PEOPLE

Year 2013 is another year for all the Filipinos. This year is said to be one of the most significant time for all especially to all the aspiring politicians who may wish to have position in the government.  Sometimes I realize why would the local politicians would spend millions for advertisements about their achievements and backgrounds? Isn’t that awkward to hear over the radio trying to impress the masses about the projects they have done? Where in fact it is already a responsibility as a servant of the people? I’m talking about those re-electionist. For me I do not need to spend millions of money just to inform the people because Filipinos nowadays had awaken and had already a sense of being cautious in terms of choosing the right leaders in our locality. I mean we cannot fool them already.  Let me share a short story, while I was riding a tricycle going to Lagos, there two people sitting in front, a man who is about mid 30’s and a woman who is about here 50’s wearing a “pambahay” dress.  They were talking about something. I thought it was something , but then I heard them discussing who will be  their mayor to be voted and the vice mayor and city councilors. I was so shocked when the old woman said “ Abi nimu gusto na naku ma usab ang leader natu karon uy,kay gusto naku makita unsa ang kalidad sa bag-o nga mudagan, uy manong driver ayaw iboto na si…….kay looy kayo mo nga mga driver ug mudaug na siya…” the old woman stressed out that she wanted to experience the leadership of the new people aspiring to be the leader of the local, then the man replied to her  “ aw ako sa akong napaminawan sa radio murag daghan man nahimung project si …….mao nang diha nalang ko magboto niya.”, the man said that he’d rather vote somebody because that’s what he heard from the local radio.

With that scenario, I meditated that the people nowadays are already vigilant especially choosing the right leaders. What about the influence of local media? I believe that local media has a vital role in the local and national election. My suggestion is , they should be more critical enough in accepting advertisements of any politicians , I think it is not about money, it is social responsibility. However we cannot deny the fact that there are some local media tend to be one sided especially when an aspiring politician has an issue about something then he /she  had already committed to the station and that is to give full advertisement , of course , money counts! Hey ? Think about the future  of our country and not your own future.  Can you be a good example to all the aspiring media practitioners someday?

The saying goes, in every good motive there is an intention. When a certain politician come to  you and give something, even if he doesn’t directly say that he needs your support, it is already understood that you will do so. I am not trying to point out any local media practitioners here, but just trying to remind every person working in print, and in broadcast media that we have the so called Social responsibility. Let’s be ethical.