Philippine E-Journals

Media Killings and its Influence on the Journalistic Practices of Community Journalists

Edmund G. Centeno | Sheila Marie D. Flores

Discipline: Communications, Criminal Justice, Media

 

Abstract:

The long string of media killings in the Philippines can affect the practice of community journalism. This paper examines the editorial policies and behavior of community news organizations in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces (collectively known as the CALABARZON) after a spate of killing of community journalists had occurred. It analyzes their journalistic practices to minimize the risk in their profession.

 

Though majority of the community journalists were affected by the killings, more than half said it did not influence their favorable view towards journalism as a profession. Majority of the media institutions retained their rules, regulations, and editorial policies. Self-regulation has become a norm among the practitioners. In broad strokes, there was a call for responsible journalism among those who worked with slain practitioners. The respondents did not view having guns as an answer to the increasing number of deaths in the rank of journalists. Instead, they consider forming a strong, vigilant, and united media organization as a better deterrent to the murder of journalists.