In issuing this statement, it has never been the intention of the Eastern Visayas Media Without Borders (EVMWB) to wash this dirty linen in public regarding the incursion of this ragtag group of “journalists” into the media industry and true-blue journalism professionals in Region 8.
But we have to, due to the utmost need of clearing the road of public impression, clarifying muddled facts, and restoring the integrity of the profession by cleansing the ranks of scalawags.
We learned that some so-called media practitioners---who we could now classify as pseudo-journalists---have spread news that a certain “journalist” belonging to their group was allegedly tied to a flagpole of a camp in EV, because he was found to be an ally of the communist rebel group.
Fact-checking by some journalists revealed this was fake news purposely made up, as we discovered later, to pinpoint blame to EVMWB as the “culprit” who bared the red-tagged “journo” to authorities, and who had been allegedly conducting surveillance on them for info gathering to be fed later to the military.
It is a disservice to the profession when pseudo-journalists cry foul over imagined offenses or baseless allegations, portraying themselves as victims of character assassination without presenting clear grounds. In doing so, they not only undermine the credibility of their own narrative but also degrade the integrity of journalism as a whole.
To claim victimhood, where there is none, is pure and simple manipulation designed to sow division among legitimate journalists. While such action dilutes the impact of real grievances faced by journalists, it directly belittles or destroys, not only their own credibility but also the integrity of journalists comprising the EVMWB.
This episode is both disappointing and alarming because, in principle and in our sworn duty, journalists are the torchbearers of truth, integrity, and unity. Journalism, by its very nature, demands courage, mutual respect, and professional solidarity, especially in times when press freedom is under siege.
When press freedom is truly under real threat, let us be reminded: credibility is earned through courage and clarity—not through cries of imagined injustice.
When these pseudo-journalists sow pettiness, foster discord and internal division, they betray the very principles they claim to uphold, as journalism professionals, an attribute they never had in the first place.
The act of playing the victim to alleged personal assaults after initiating the very discord they now condemn, is a manipulative tactic that undermines the integrity of discourse and distracts from legitimate grievances within the profession.
It is an attempt to twist the narrative—to gain sympathy while discrediting others—when what is truly needed is accountability, openness, and a sincere willingness to resolve differences constructively.
Constructive dialogue, not destructive rivalry, should be the norm. The profession calls for unity, mutual respect, and professional maturity. Real journalists must rise above egos and power plays. Let us focus instead on its higher purpose—serving the truth and the people.
Journalists should be models of critical thinking and fairness. To engage in factionalism, character assassination, or self-victimization is to compromise not only personal integrity but also the credibility of the media institution as a whole. It sends a dangerous message to the public: that the press is no better than politicians nourished by self-vested interests.
Let us not forget: our role in the media is to pursue truth, even when it challenges us. Victimhood must never be used as armor to evade accountability or as a weapon to destroy fellows.
The moment we confuse our mission with blatant lies, we begin to lose our way—as individuals, and likewise as professionals whose reason for being is to serve the public good, and strengthen democracy.(CJ/jmm/EVMWB)
- Calbayog Journal, May 31, 2025
But we have to, due to the utmost need of clearing the road of public impression, clarifying muddled facts, and restoring the integrity of the profession by cleansing the ranks of scalawags.
We learned that some so-called media practitioners---who we could now classify as pseudo-journalists---have spread news that a certain “journalist” belonging to their group was allegedly tied to a flagpole of a camp in EV, because he was found to be an ally of the communist rebel group.
Fact-checking by some journalists revealed this was fake news purposely made up, as we discovered later, to pinpoint blame to EVMWB as the “culprit” who bared the red-tagged “journo” to authorities, and who had been allegedly conducting surveillance on them for info gathering to be fed later to the military.
It is a disservice to the profession when pseudo-journalists cry foul over imagined offenses or baseless allegations, portraying themselves as victims of character assassination without presenting clear grounds. In doing so, they not only undermine the credibility of their own narrative but also degrade the integrity of journalism as a whole.
To claim victimhood, where there is none, is pure and simple manipulation designed to sow division among legitimate journalists. While such action dilutes the impact of real grievances faced by journalists, it directly belittles or destroys, not only their own credibility but also the integrity of journalists comprising the EVMWB.
This episode is both disappointing and alarming because, in principle and in our sworn duty, journalists are the torchbearers of truth, integrity, and unity. Journalism, by its very nature, demands courage, mutual respect, and professional solidarity, especially in times when press freedom is under siege.
When press freedom is truly under real threat, let us be reminded: credibility is earned through courage and clarity—not through cries of imagined injustice.
When these pseudo-journalists sow pettiness, foster discord and internal division, they betray the very principles they claim to uphold, as journalism professionals, an attribute they never had in the first place.
The act of playing the victim to alleged personal assaults after initiating the very discord they now condemn, is a manipulative tactic that undermines the integrity of discourse and distracts from legitimate grievances within the profession.
It is an attempt to twist the narrative—to gain sympathy while discrediting others—when what is truly needed is accountability, openness, and a sincere willingness to resolve differences constructively.
Constructive dialogue, not destructive rivalry, should be the norm. The profession calls for unity, mutual respect, and professional maturity. Real journalists must rise above egos and power plays. Let us focus instead on its higher purpose—serving the truth and the people.
Journalists should be models of critical thinking and fairness. To engage in factionalism, character assassination, or self-victimization is to compromise not only personal integrity but also the credibility of the media institution as a whole. It sends a dangerous message to the public: that the press is no better than politicians nourished by self-vested interests.
Let us not forget: our role in the media is to pursue truth, even when it challenges us. Victimhood must never be used as armor to evade accountability or as a weapon to destroy fellows.
The moment we confuse our mission with blatant lies, we begin to lose our way—as individuals, and likewise as professionals whose reason for being is to serve the public good, and strengthen democracy.(CJ/jmm/EVMWB)
- Calbayog Journal, May 31, 2025
