Media – Page 27 – ellen tordesillas

ABS-CBN ordered to turn over raw footage of hotel siege

Published by Ellen on December 3, 2007

Exec says network studying legal options

By Volt Contreras
Inquirer

Media giant ABS-CBN has been ordered by the Philippine National Police to submit raw news footage of the November 29 “march” of the Magdalo rebel officers that climaxed to the Peninsula Manila siege, following reports authorities have begun looking into any role the network may have played in the crushed uprising.

Reacting in a media statement on Monday, Maria Ressa, managing director of the network’s news and current affairs department, branded the order as apparently part of a continuing attempt to ”intimidate and harass journalists,” indicating a ”gradual erosion of press freedom” in the country.

Deplorable

Published by Ellen on December 2, 2007

I had a long-scheduled lecture at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines on “Online journalism versus print journalism” last Saturday but the students were more interested about last Thursday’s incident at the Manila Peninsula, specially the part when media became suspects for covering the event.

Since the students were post-Marcos babies, I contextualized the deplorable action of the PNP with the situation during the Marcos dictatorship.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility put it eloquently: “Never in the turbulent recent history of the Philippines has any government, including that of Ferdinand Marcos, ever taken into custody members of the media who were on the scene to do their jobs.”

Hours, media grit in the Manila Pen

Published by Ellen on November 30, 2007

Following are two first-person-accounts of last Thursday’s standoff. One is mine and the other is by Azhel Hachero, Malaya’s reporter covering Makati.

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GMA news report on trip to Bicutan

By Ellen Tordesillas

Thursday morning, the Makati City hall premises were swarming with military personnel. Aside from the usual security escorts of the Magdalo officers, there were those from Camp Capinpin in Tanay who brought down Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who was to testify on the agreement forged between Malacañang’s representatives and the Oakwood mutineers in July 2003.

Chavez’ advice

Published by Ellen on November 15, 2007

After last Friday’s walkout of the officers and their lawyers at the court martial hearing (the first in military history) of those allegedly involved in the plan to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo on Feb. 2006, I’m anxious to know what’s going to happen in today’s hearing.

Frank Chavez, counsel for Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, the highest- ranking officer among the accused, and Maj. Jason Aquino, has filed a motion to suspend the proceedings until they are presented a copy of a pre-trial advice signed by AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon. The PTA is the basis for the charges of mutiny and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman against the 28 officers.

Judging from the decisions made by the court in past hearings, I’m willing to bet my much-devalued ten dollars that Chavez’ motion will again be denied.

Bastardized mural reflects dark side of journalism

Published by Ellen on November 6, 2007

I’m glad I’m no longer a member of the National Press Club.

I used to be a member of NPC in the late 80’s when the likes of Tony Nieva were trying to assert their leadership in the club. But eventually they were eased one by the more entrepreneurial kind of journalists.

I got out of the NPC even before the Rolito Go scandal in 1991. One of its directors, Bobby Capco, then of the Philippine Star, was exposed to have served as public relations guy of the convicted criminal. (Go shot to death La Salle student Eldon Maguan over a traffic incident). In a press conference by the lawyers of Go at the NPC, a reporter revealed that Capco handed her money to “kill” a story not favorable to Go.

Freedom mural defiled

Published by Ellen on November 4, 2007

This is outrageous!

Mabasa said he doesn’t want the press to be “politicized”. But what he did, bowing to the will of Gloria Arroyo’s paetorian guards, was political. A despicable kind of politics.

Media must be politically sensitive and responsive. Media should be an agent of liberation, not for idiotization.

by TJ Burgonio
Inquirer

A group of artists is outraged at the “bastardization” of its mural on press freedom at the National Press Club, and is accusing the NPC of “censorship.”

“Isn’t it ironic that an institution such as the NPC would cause the censorship of a work that they themselves commissioned purportedly to promote press freedom?” the Neo-Angono Artists Collective rued in a statement posted on its website.

CA stops media suit vs Mike Arroyo

Published by Ellen on September 27, 2007

The Court of Appeals has granted the petition of presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo seeking to bar the Makati regional trial court from proceeding with the preliminary hearing of the P12.5 million class suit filed by journalists for Arroyo’s alleged attacks on press freedom.

The CA agreed with Arroyo that continuing with the preliminary hearing on an amended complaint filed by the journalists would cause “irreparable injury” to Arroyo who has opposed the acceptance of the amended complaint.

Without the CA injunction, the preliminary hearing by the Makati RTC would render ineffectual any judgment that the appellate court might promulgate on the petition filed by Arroyo on May 24.

Mike seeks arrest of 8 no-show journalists

Published by Ellen on June 22, 2007

It was only three days ago when Mike Arroyo told the Manila Trial Court that he has “forgiven” the journalists whom he sued for libel. Now he wants 8 of them arrested.

by Ashzel Hachero

A lawyer of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo asked a court hearing the P12.5 million class suit filed by Filipino journalists to issue an arrest order against eight media personalities for their failure to comply with a court-issued subpoena for yesterday’s hearing of the case.

Walang dapat ipatawad sa akin si Mike Arroyo

Published by Ellen on June 20, 2007

Noong isang araw, nagsumite si Mike Arroyo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang abogado na si Ruy Rondain, sa korte ni Manila Judge Silvino Pampilo, Jr. na hindi na raw niya itutuloy ang kaso na libel laban sa amin nina dating Senador Francisco Tatad, Malaya Publisher Jake Macasaet at anim pang mga editor at reporter ng Malaya.

Ito ang sabi ni Mike Arroyo: “I have, of late, suffered a life-threatening condition. With the prayers and support of my family and friends, I have miraculously survived.

“Because I have been given a second lease on life, I have decided to forgive everyone who has caused me pain. Because of this I am no longer interested in pursuing the case.”
(Kailan lamang, ako ay nagkasakit at kamuntik mamatay. Sa panalangin at tulong ng aking pamilya at kaibigan, ako ay milagro na nabuhay.

Look of the Year

Published by Ellen on May 29, 2007

Click here for DZMM interview with Sarmiento.

Inquirer update: I will not resign as commissioner – Sarmiento

The “Look of the Year” award should go to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento when he was confronted by ABS-CBN News Channel correspondent Ricky Carandang with the video he got of election returns being transported to Maria Cristina Hotel in Iligan City last Monday.

That “look” was captured vividly on TV and seen here and abroad.

It was nakakahiya. A Comelec official caught covering up for something that his people were trying to hide.

Category: Media