By: Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) here scored Ben Tulfo for publicly berating and insulting Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia during a live interview when the latter failed to address his demand for answers and swift action.
But NUJP-Negros Occidental chair Marchel Espina Chair said the statement “has nothing to do with Leonardia, the city government, and the alleged non-payment of officials over a basketball game. ”
This has everything to do with Tulfo and his “brand of journalism,” Espina said in a statement issued on Dec. 10.
She said that Tulfo’s lack of ethics and respect to news sources is a disgrace to the profession.
“Shame on him for calling himself a journalist. His outburst, strong sense of entitlement and combative approach are plain repugnant,” Espina added.
Espina said Tulfo’s disappointment with the city officials is understandable, “but he should know better, being a veteran in this profession as he claims.”
Again, this doesn’t give him the right to publicly taunt a news source, she said.
“At times, when news sources become a huge disappointment, real journalists have to keep their composure and finesse to maintain the highest standard of reportage.”May we remind this ‘journalist’ to practice real journalism, such as due diligence to get all sides of the story and provide proper context to the situation.”
Real journalists seek out the truth – they are not the Messiah of the oppressed, Espina added.
