MANILA, Philippines – Broadcast journalist Vicky Morales believes there are lessons to be learned in the sharp commentaries that her fellow anchor Arnold Clavio made against the Philippine Azkals, and the debate that ensued.
Clavio drew flak online earlier this month for criticizing the football team in the morning show “Unang Hirit,” during a discussion on the sexual harassment complaint that Cristy Ramos, match commissioner and daughter of former president Fidel V. Ramos, filed against them.
“I guess the lesson to be learned na lang here is restraint for both parties...” said Morales in a PEP report.
She related that Clavio himself has also learned his lesson.
"You know, we have this think before you click [campaign]. Siguro now, you can carry it to other things... Think before you speak, think before you act,” she added.
Morales, who co-hosts the late-night news program “Saksi” with Clavio, stood up for the latter amid accusations that he’s “racist” (for commenting that the Azkals are insensitive, conceited, and, in his words, "Eh, hindi naman kayo Filipino, nagpapanggap lang kayong kayumanggi, hindi dito lumaki…”).
“…That never came to his mind. That was not part of his intention, ‘yung racism issue,” said she, adding that Clavio got really affected by the netizens' reactions on Twitter.
She, however, noted that Clavio is innately outspoken, and believes “that’s why he’s a very successful radio commentator.”
"Kahit kami-kami na lang nag-uusap, oh my gosh, talagang hard-hitting talaga siya. At the same time, ‘yung mga na-offend naman sa mga commentary niya, they have a right to their own course of action,” said Morales.
Clavio has already appealed the public for understanding for his deemed offensive statements, even as he urged that sexual harassment is an issue that deserves as much attention and, definitely, action.
The power of influence that media personalities possess also comes with a significant amount of responsibility, and Morales herself makes sure that she’s fair with her commentaries.
She’s particularly careful whenever assigned to anchor GMA News TV’s coverage of the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“I ask naman the questions in my head. I do a lot of reading—that's what I really do these days. Lahat ng mga commentary, lahat ng mga diyaryo, lahat nasa harap ko na. Because I want to know as much as possible, as I can, all the kuro-kuro ng lahat ng editors. Para at least, I can form my own opinion, and help others form theirs,” she related.
source: mb.com.ph
