The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews: “Communication For Development, Or Communication For Devilment?” – Asking For A Friend!
Above image, the title of the Twitter entry from GMA Network proudly says, “The Jessica Soho Presidential Interviews.” The introducing statement says, “After no-show Marcos Jr hits yet journo Jessica Soho for being biased, GMA Network claps back.”
Jairo Bolledo says (22 Jan 2022, “Biased? GMA Tells Marcos Camp Jessica Soho’s Questions ‘Tough’ Like The Presidency,” Rappler, Rappler.com):
MANILA, Philippines – GMA Network on Saturday, January 22, refuted the claim of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s camp that veteran journalist Jessica Soho is “biased against the Marcoses” – the reason it had cited for refusing to join her interview with presidential aspirants.
If you ask me, an Ilocano like BBM, ti agpayso, I will tell you that everyone is biased for or against the Marcoses!
The GMA Network statement continues:
Throughout her career, Ms Soho has consistently been named the most trusted media personality in the Philippines by both local and foreign organizations, a testament to her embodying the GMA News and Public Affairs ethos: ‘Walang Kinikilingan, Walang Pinoprotektahan, Serbisyong Totoo Lamang.
My free translation of that GMA ethos: “Nobody Favored, Nobody Protected, All Truthful Service.” And I will grant it 100% sincere.
But: Service to What? For Whom?
Mr Bolledo says one of those interviewed by Ms Jessica, Ping Lacson said:
Jessica Soho, biased? I was asked very hostile questions like my role during Martial Law, why I evaded arrest in 2010, my co-(authorship) and sponsorship of the anti-terror law, human rights issues, and other hard questions. I don’t think so. Like any journalist, trabaho niya ‘yun (that’s her job).
Differently, I self-appointed journalist say Ms Soho was biased not only against BBM but all the 4 presidential candidates she interviewed in her GMA talk show. Why? She hurled only personal questions!
I pity all the presidential candidates who were asked embarrassing questions: Panfilo Lacson, Isko Moreno, Manny Pacquiao, and Leni Robredo.
The GMA Network Statement said that those interviewed had “chosen to participate and take the opportunity to explain their advocacies to the public.” Is that a fact? So why did Ms Soho not allow them their voice but instead, according to Mr Lacson, “asked very hostile questions like my role during Martial Law”? I think I know why; correct me if I’m wrong, but it looks like Ms Soho was not practicing Communication for Development (my 1980 concoction) but instead was practicing Communication for Devilment – where “devilment” means “mischief” (American Heritage Dictionary).
BBM was right in rejecting the presidential interviews, because they were not presidential! Ms Soho was not truly looking for “presidential,” an adjective that my favorite American Heritage Dictionary defines as “befitting a president, especially the president of (a country).”
Presidential, Positive: The GMA Network Statement said, “To explain their advocacies to the public” – Ms Soho should have asked each candidate’s “Vision, Mission & Strategyfor the Philippines!” Presidential, Negative: Ms Soho was.@517
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