Veteran journalist gives insights in covering 2022 polls

Journalist Joe Torres gives tips to media during the PTFoMS webinar

DAVAO DEL NORTE, Oct. 29 (PIA) -- Veteran journalist Joe Torres has warned media practitioners of the challenges they might encounter in covering the 2022 national and local elections and has given them tips for safety coverage during the 2022 National Elections.

On the October 27, 2021 webinar titled, "PTFoMS Moving 4Ward: Safeguarding Press Freedom during the Pandemic and the 2022 Elections," Torres emphasized some safety guidelines for  private and government media practitioners in Region 11 and 12 to observe in  covering the 2022 polls.

Torres mentioned election-related violence directed to media, self-censorship, and shallow reporting as the major challenges media might face in covering the 2020 polls.

"In the past kasi pag talagang against ka or nagrereport ka laban doon sa mga katiwalian ng mga politicians may malaking tendency talaga na gagantihan ka ng mga pikon na mga politiko. At kung natatakot ka naman na magreport ng mga katiwalian, ang tawag naman doon ay self-censorship and it will not serve the purpose ng pagiging media mo. O kaya naman magrereport ka nga pero mababaw, shallow na reporting so wala ding silbi yung pagiging media mo diba? (In the past, if your report against corruption by politicians, they will really take revenge against you. And if you are afraid of doing so, that is called self-censorship. Or if your reporting is too shallow, your reports are useless),” said Torres enumerating challenges in media reporting in election seasons.

Considering the risks and challenges to media practitioners during elections especially with the fast-approaching 2022 polls, Torres urged private and government media practitioners to anchor their coverage and reportage on ethics of journalism.

"Dapat talaga naka-angkla tayo dun sa ethical practice ng journalism para ma-avoid natin yung attacks or magiging safe yung ating coverage. Kasi kung ethical yung ating practice ng journalism, most likely hindi ka naman mapapahamak  (We really have to align our practice to the ethical standards of journalism to avoid attacks and to ensure safe coverages. If we abide by the practice of ethical journalism, most likely we won’t be harmed),” said Torres pointing out his first advice.

Meanwhile, Torres put emphasis on non-partisanship of media practitioners though he admitted the difficulty of shielding oneself from such state of neutrality especially those practicing in the provinces.

"Non-partisan, syempre alam naman natin ito pero napakahirap gawin. Alam natin sa probinsya, maraming nagiging partisan  (We all know that being a non-partisan is difficult to do. We also know that in the provinces, a lot of media are partisans),” he added.  

In the midst of challenges that media practitioners would be facing, Torres advised them to stick with the facts and, to as much as possible, avail  of safety training for journalists.

"Reporting the facts and safety training for journalists. Yung safety training for journalists it is a challenge, pero sabi nga natin maraming mga groups na nagproprovide nito (Reporting the facts and safety training for journalists. This safety training as what I've said, a lot of groups and advocates are offering this),” Torres stating his last tip for the media. (PIA XI Davao del Norte/jmda/Ezri M. Coda, Jr.)