The Philippine press was once considered the freest in Asia but also the most irresponsible, and lost its freedom during martial law. Newspapers try to out-scoop each other by sacrificing accuracy and becoming sensational. A majority of Filipinos see newspapers as the most credible news source, particularly in provincial areas, though urban Filipinos rely more on television. Journalists are seen as brave due to risks faced during the Marcos era, though competency and honesty perceptions are more mixed. Most Filipino newspaper readers are young, female, Catholic college graduates who spend 15-30 minutes reading newspapers daily, also listening to radio and watching television.

1. The Philippine Press: Freedom and Credibility

2. The Philippine Press Press referring to newspapers Considered as the freest in Asia Also the most licentious and irresponsible Lost its freedom during the Martial Law

3. Out-Scooping

4. SCOOP An informal term used in journalism. The word connotes: Originality Importance Surprise or excitement Secrecy and exclusivity Scoops typically raise the profile of the journalist that makes them.

5. Newspapers try to out-scoop each other.

6. HOW? Sacrificing accuracy Becoming sensational

7. Most Credible Sources of Information Survey Done on May 1987

8. MAJORITY Newspapers – 54.3% TV – 23.9% Radio – 13.2%

9. METRO MANILA TV – 36.3% Newspapers – 36.1% Radio – 14.6%

10. PROVINCIAL SET-UP Newspapers – 61.2% TV – 19.3% Radio – 12.7%

11. What is ironic with the result of the survey?

12. Metro Manilans get their information mainly from newspapers but not too many of them considered newspapers as the most credible sources. Fewer readers rely mainly on newspapers for information but a majority of them rate newspapers’ credibility highly.

13. Perceptions CREDIBILITY Very truthful (60.9%) OBJECTIVITY Very objective (73.3%) BALANCE Very balanced (70.6%) ACCURACY Very accurate (63.1%) RESPONSIBILITY Very responsible (69.2%)

14. These positive reviews were probably due in large measure to the reservoir of goodwill among the Filipino people for the press. The alternative press, sacrificed lives and fought so hard foe press freedom and the ouster of former President Marcos and the people were apparently grateful.

15. Urban Filipino Perceptions of Journalism and the Press Survey Done on May 1987

16. Ratings of Professions Professionals Medical doctor – 84.0 Scientist – 77.3 Lawyer – 75.6 Engineer – 66.1 Priest – 64.1 Teacher – 61.2 Journalist – 58.7 Businessman – 53.4

17. Ratings of Professions Government officials Judge – 72.0 Senator – 69.1 Mayor – 63.2 Military officer – 59.9

18. Ratings of Professions Communication professionals Newspaper editor – 60.5 Radio announcer – 39.4 Advertising copy writer – 34.0 Public relations officer – 31.1 TV announcer – 20.6 Newspaper reporter – 19.6

19. Roles of the Philippine Press

20. The Philippine press… Plays an important role in informing the public about society. Plays an important role in national development. Plays an important role as critic/fiscalizer of government. Protects the interests of the common people. Prints too much gossip, rumor, unverified reports.

21. Vis-à-vis Press Freedom

22. Press freedom is important to Philippine society. There are also perceptions like: The Philippine press today is free from government control.

23. The Philippine press… Also censors news which is against its friends and interests. Is manipulated by the powerful and influential people. Is owned by the rich and protects only their interests.

24. Vis-à-vis Filipino Journalists

25. Brave Due to the fact that many editors, reporters and radio commentators were killed or jailed for telling the truth during the repressive Marcos era.

26. Competent (46.7%) Not as many considered them as honest (36.3%) Uncertain of journalists’ honesty (37.1%) Uncertain about whether journalists are highly paid (51.5%)

27. Profile of Filipino Newspaper Journalists

28. MAJORITY ARE… Young (52.9%) Between 18 to 35 years old Females (52.9%) Married (57.8%) Roman Catholics (84.2%)

29. MAJORITY ARE… Elite in education but not financially College students, graduates or graduates students (85.4%) Have a yearly income below Php24,000.00 (below the poverty line) The price of newspapers is cheaper in Manila than in the provinces, so you have to be better off to be able to buy the more expensive papers in the provinces.

30. MAJORITY ARE… Owning radio sets (92.8%) Owning television sets (83.6%) “In brief, therefore, a Filipino newspaper reader is between 26 and 35 years old, female, married, Catholic, earns Php2,000.00 a month, a college graduate, politically neutral, and owns a radio and TV set.”

31. Media Use Habits of Filipino Newspaper Readers

32. FREQUENCY OF READING Everyday (54%) Frequently (30.5%) Occasionally (11.3%)

33. TIME ALLOTTED 15 – 30 minutes (50.8%) 30 minutes – 1 hour (33.7%)

34. RADIO AND TV USAGE Listening to radio (58.8%) Watching TV (56.2%) It can be seen more time is devoted to radio and television.

35. Reasons for Reading and Not Reading Newspapers

36. READING NOT READING For information For education For entertainment For opinion Busy, no time, too time-consuming, have other things to do, household chores (37 times) No money, can’t afford, newspapers are expensive (27 times) Not interested, not a habit, they don’t care, too lazy (25 times)

37. The Philippine Press: Freedom and Credibility