“Morality in Media and the Elections”

“The media plays a vital role in our democracy and if we cannot depend on journalistic ethics, the nation is in trouble.” – Dave Brat

“The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” – JFK

We have just triumphantly tackled another milestone in our lives, the elections and democratic process which will either make or break us, as Filipinos.

I cannot really find a specific or appropriate definition or description of MORALITY IN MEDIA, so let us go back to the basics.

What is MORALITY? One definition states : “principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong, or good and bad behavior.” Another: “particular system of values and principle of conduct held by a specific person or society.” But my favorite is: “differentiation of intentions, decisions and actions between those that are distinguished as proper, and those that are improper.”

What is MEDIA? It is defined as: “main means of communication (broadcasting, publishing, and internet), regarded collectively.”

Putting the two together, it might be safe for me to say that MORALITY IN MEDIA is COMMUNICATION using broadcasting, publishing and internet in a TRUTHFUL and FAIR manner guided by INTEGRITY, RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, LEGALITY and CHRISTIANITY with the INTENTION TO INFORM AND INFLUENCE POSITIVELY. Simply said, MORALITY IN MEDIA means COMMUNICATING with the HIGHEST ETHICAL STANDARDS.

With these in mind, as Catholics it is our responsibility to discern with prayers, what information should we accept or reject. But our dilemma now is we are flooded and bombarded with all sorts of information (misinformation) that instead of guiding us, only causes us confusion and distraction from the truth. Sometimes, there is a serious lack of morality in the way information is spread and disseminated. Media which could be a source of truth, are often influenced, even pressured because of commercialism and the selfish desire for profits. Communication capitalists believe that because they are licensed to pursue profits, they divert from their moral responsibility, from their corporate social responsibility, for the avaricious purpose of facilitating the realization of such profits.

During the election period, there were instances when media focused on non-substantive stories that instead of informing the voters on the real character of the candidates, ironically, either covered-up some facts, distorted some facts to solicit patronage, often resulting to character assassination of their clients’/patrons’ opponent. Goodbye to the 5th Commandment! Forgetting that worse than physical killing is moral and spiritual murder. Instead of intending to bring out the moral values of a candidate, issues, conversations and interviews became politically-charged discussions with the deliberate intent to rouse the curiosity and interest of the readers or viewers. Issues like poverty, unemployment, minimum wage, education, environment and economy are not handled through a moral lens.

Again, media tend to deviate from the substantive content because in their desire to increase viewers’ patronage, they fail to really inform. To aggravate this, since TV interviews are mere “minute segments” that are just “sound bytes”, the vital and significant details that could have had helped in discerning and decision-making were skipped.

We still hope for and look forward to a paradigm shift in media, for it to be anchored in morality and ethics in information, and, should not in any way or form, deal with political manipulation that could lead to societal destruction, and, worst —democratic decadence.

On top of our concern for the role of media in the latest election period, generally, some parents agree that social media are relatively negative because of the great adverse influence it has on the minds of the youth, messing with character formation and moral development. Parents insist that media ethics should promote and defend values such as the universal respect for life. Furthermore, if only there is morality in media, media could be a very effective platform for moral principles like : concern for the oppressed, the lost, the last and the least, always speak the truth and never lie nor compromise the truth whatever the situation, be careful in whatever you say or do, respect the rights of others, etc.

Now going back to our main issue: MORALITY IN MEDIA AND THE ELECTIONS, connection between media and morality, there is still a very big vacuum to be filled with improvement… with the truth… with Christian responsibility.

In the future, media should learn to use their moral compass and focus on truly informing and educating the voters in the exercise of their democratic right to vote, by truthfully informing and updating on issues, by providing a COMMUNICATION PLATFORM WHICH IS TRUE, LEGAL, CREDIBLE AND WITH INTEGRITY for the purpose of proper decision-making, inculcating changes, if necessary, that can positively influence them. Media must have the moral and ethical responsibility to avoid disinformation, in any form, which could intentionally deceive the public. Media must always be aware of their societal and Christian responsibilities that their actions may:

1. disastrously result to significant adverse consequences and public harm;
2. on a large-scale, negatively affect democratic political and policy-making processes, and
3. pose a danger to social and economic issues.

“Social Media is one of the most potent tools of change in the hands of citizens. May we use it responsibly to shape the world we live in.” – Sadhguru on X

(Written by Ma. Cynthia P. Aranas – Vice-Regent, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Circle)