Members of the Senate media corps on Thursday strongly denounced remarks made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta accusing journalists of being “paid,” describing the statement as a reckless attack on press freedom and the role of the media in a democratic society.
In a statement, the group said Marcoleta’s comments unfairly discredited reporters assigned to cover the Senate, many of whom continue to perform their duties despite facing various challenges in the field.
“Such remark of the senator… was not only irresponsible, but a reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy.”
The media group stressed that the accusation unjustly tarnished the reputation of journalists who often face intimidation, harassment, and threats while carrying out their responsibility to inform the public.
“Marcoleta’s statement unfairly maligned media workers who risk intimidation, harassment and even their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable.”
Marcoleta made the remarks during a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the flood control controversy conducted by the faction aligned with embattled Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. During the hearing, he questioned the media’s coverage of the issue and suggested that journalists had not sufficiently scrutinized members of the Senate majority regarding their alleged silence on the matter.
“Kayong mga participants sa media, na karamihan sa inyo ay bayaran, sasabihin ko sa inyo ito, meron bang nagsalita sa kanila? Kayong members ng media tinanong ninyo ba sila (majority) kung bakit nagpakatahimik sila?”
In response, the Senate media emphasized that journalists are independent observers and should not be drawn into political rivalries or internal disputes within government institutions.
“The Fourth Estate exists to serve the public interest. Its duty is to pursue facts, verify information, question those in power and report developments without fear or favor.”
The group also warned that labeling journalists as partisan or compromised simply because they report information that may be unfavorable to certain individuals erodes public trust in legitimate news organizations and contributes to hostility toward media practitioners.
While acknowledging that criticism of media coverage is a normal part of democratic discourse, the group said there is a clear distinction between constructive feedback and broad attacks against an entire profession.
“Criticism of media coverage is fair and even healthy in a democratic society. But there is a profound difference between constructive criticism and the wholesale vilification of an entire profession.”
The statement further urged public officials to support serious accusations with evidence rather than rhetoric.
“Public officials, such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence instead of just relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions.”