Netizens couldn’t help but react to a recent post by a ‘school’ that the media might be on the take to take attention away from the corruption involving flood-control projects.
‘What if, they’re paying the MEDIA to amplify earthquake/volcanic news to make us forget the flood control scandal?’ the post read.
The post is attributed to a university called the ‘International State College of the Philippines’, although some people have come out to say the school actually doesn’t exist, but is a vehicle for satire, used to voice opinions that are funny or may not be so popular.
Many, including a popular TV host, have been fooled into thinking the school was actually real.
But while the said institution may not exist, this opinion –because it made its way to a satire site– may actually be shared by many netizens. And it should be said that those who think that the media can be collectively paid just to look the other way regarding one issue or corral the attention of people to another don’t really understand how it works.
The flood-control corruption issue is an ongoing story and there aren’t always developments worth of note to report on every single day.
On the other hand, earthquakes are happening left and right and up and down in our country. Last October 16, it was magnitude 4.9 127 kilometers from Polomolok, South Cotabato. Last October 17, it was magnitude 4.9 127 kilometers from Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The following day October 18, it was magnitude 5.4 220 km from Davao City. The following day, October 19 it was magnitude 5.2 178 km from Davao City.
So there might have been more coverage recently about earthquakes compared to stories about flood-control corruption.
And for the record, the media hasn’t let up on the flood-control stories either. One only needs to check the newspapers, TV, radio, and online to confirm this.
There is really no reason for the media to let-up on this flood-control corruption issue; aside from fulfilling its role as the fourth estate and the watchdog of the government, there’s no denying that reporting on all these accusations, revelations, and scandals make for good copy.