Media ethics

Thomas Huxley (1825-1895) known as the founder of scientific humanism and Charles Darwin's "bulldog" for championing the theory of evolution, once wrote that society, composed of human beings, if it has become what it is now, it is because "their conduct was governed and guided by the love of some ethical ideals." Of course, it's because of the laws. But the laws are presumed to have been based on ethical standards, the greatest good for the greatest number.

You can just imagine the chaos, the disorder if each one just acts on what he thinks is good for him and there is no set of ethical ideals to follow. Then there is no society. Each profession has its code of ethics. And in media too. People in every profession are always protective of themselves and their integrity. That is why they ostracize those who violate it.

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One of the popular programs over ABS-CBN's ANC is "Media in Focus" hosted by Che Che Lazaro that discusses topics about media. We have it here at Channel 14 too "Media in Motion" hosted by KBP's Joppy Plotria for the same purpose.

We discussed this issue of media ethics the other day at "Media in Motion" among other guests Edgar Cadagat of print and Jun Lapu-os of broadcast. True to ethical rules, no personalities were discussed, only the issues.

The thinking in media is that before we can straighten others in society, we must first straighten ourselves. And therefore, media is making the appeal, tell us if there are wayward media people and we will ask them to behave. They will listen to appeals.

KBP has its standards committee to take care of this, Negros Press Club has its grievance committee. And I happen to be its chairman.

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We are aware in every profession, there are scalawags. And media is not an exception. It has become to be everybody's concern because of media's importance to society.

Media people are thought leaders who shape the thinking of society.

That is why media is called the Fourth Estate.

How did they get the name? Before the French Revolution in 1789, France had Three Estates. The First Estate was composed of the clergy, Cardinal, Archbishops, Bishops … The Second Estate was composed of the nobility, the earls, the counts, viscounts, etc. and the landed gentry … The First and Second Estate enjoyed many privileges.

The Third Estate was composed of professionals, doctors, lawyers, and peasants. They enjoyed no privileges enjoyed by the First Two.

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Even at that time, media (there were no radio reporters then) was already influential that in the discussion in Parliament, one Parliamentarian pointed to the reporters in the gallery and said, "There is the Fourth Estate."

And until now the name has stuck and their role in shaping the thinking of people has not diminished. The French Revolution, as pointed out by Thomas Carlyle who wrote the history of the French Revolution was brought about by the incessant criticism of the French society that the criticisms stirred up the people against the excesses of the monarch.

The prominent and thought leaders of the era were, among them, Voltaire who attacked the absolute power of the French monarch. Montesquieue advocated for a government with check and balance following the U.S. which established after their Revolution a few years earlier the executive, legislative, and judiciary.

And Rousseau wrote the Social Contract laying the foundation of a covenant between the governor and the governed that the governor must govern well. Otherwise, the governed had the option to terminate the contract.

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These three were the media's mega player. But, Carlyle said, writers in the rural areas also played an important part in stirring the people to action against the government's excesses.

Understand that Bastille which has been the symbol of People's Power in France, like our Edsa was in Paris and people involved were only those from Paris and not from all over the country like our own Edsa.

But provincial support was very important, the role of provincial media.

That is why after the French Revolution when Napoleon took over France, he was quoted to have said, upon assuming office, "I fear three newspapers more than three hundred thousand bayonets."*

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