Positive Mass Media

What they really want is an all-positive mass media, a propaganda machine of the government. What they see as truthful reporting is saying nothing but all-praises to the administration of Duterte. If this happens, genuine journalism dies in the country. [Image above by Elijah O'Donnell, Unsplash].

It's so immature (not to say dangerous) if you cannot stand criticism, be it constructive or otherwise. I hate destructive criticism but I won't control it. If I know something is false and destructive, I just ignore it. I know the truth will eventually put everything to light. And I know that positive and negative should always be around to balance things and help people see truth for themselves and not be dictated on or deceived.

But most political supporters (pro or against Duterte) cannot stand anything negatively portrayed about the political icons they support. It's tragic seeing people end up mere avid fans of political crooks.

Worse is, they think that anything questioning their icon's policy or move is negative, if not "fake news." Or even "yellowtard"  or "Dutertard" thinking. This attitude hates seeing truth and glories only in one-sided ideas.

Seeking truth means you remain neutral and going after facts alone. To do this, you need to stay apolitical and nonpartisan. You cannot be an avid supporter of a politician and also be a truth seeker. You need to be on truth's side alone. More so if you're a senator like Bato dela Rosa.

Truth is no respecter of persons. One time it may uphold you, another time it will fight you if you side with wrong. If you're for truth, you behave accordingly. You support anyone for truth and criticize anyone for wrong. But you lose the ability to discern right from wrong the moment you nurture bias for a person. Bias for the person grows and prejudice against truth that hurts him or her develops.

Criticism for truth is never personal. It doesn't mean you hate the guy if you criticize him. It may even be your way of supporting him. A rebel is different from a critic. The former wants to overthrow, the latter wants reforms. Because the bible says so, I support the presidency, no matter who is seated there. But I cannot tolerate bad words, blasphemy against God, POGO syndicates and employing Chinese workers here to the detriment of Filipino workers which Duterte tolerates. And the burdensome loans from China.

Nonetheless, I support the good things he does, like cleaning up Manila Bay, Boracay (and the agrarian reform there), some reforms in government offices, questioning Maynilad and the Ayalas (though some say it's mere showoff), and bluffing the Americans.

Opening up the country to Mainland Chinese tourists in the beginning of the deadly CoVid 19 emergency because the administration feared offending China was utter nonsense. It's still afraid of offending China in everything else. Not to mention the possibility of the Chinese military having covert operations here.

If you mention anything about these things, Duterte supporters come to his rescue and think you are either sinophobic or a yellowtard. The danger about avid fanaticism is you lose your sensibilities and sound judgment and become parochial. You become paranoid. You want nothing but one side of the argument. You want nothing but praises to your idol. It's also ridiculous seeing some critics fight Duterte just because they want some Liberal Party politicians to replace him.

Or they themselves want to be in power, too, and share in the loot.

I hate seeing fanatical FB posts for or against Duterte, but I ignore them. A lot of critics disrespect him. I realize their right to such but both of them won't let you alone. You post something for or against Duterte on your wall and they question you like you have no right to your own opinion and they're duty-bound to police social media and clean it of anything not pleasing to their political gods.

Democracy is letting others enjoy their own opinions and beliefs, as long as these do no destabilize government. Disturbing that right and insisting only on your own will surely destroy democracy, and that's what Marcos did during martial law. No one dared air complaints and criticism, not because he was doing right and everyone was happy, but because the opposition was stifled and choked. Truth was suppressed.

Martial law did a lot of good, too, but suppressing truth did more harm and, for me, it virtually negated whatever advantages it had. I don't care if you become rich, strong and successful if it's at the expense of truth.

An all-positive mass media? If it happens, it's nothing but a big joke.