Neal Cruz of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Fel Maragay at the Manila Standard are both spilling similar information related to the YNN Masinloc deal this morning.
At least for the latter part of both columns, they are clearly taking their cues from the very same piece of paper – phrase by phrase and sometimes sentence by sentence.
Now, I believe that the more information in the public’s hands the better. But this has the appearance of being parceled out (by someone other than Neal or Fel) in a controlled manner – both the timing and the spin – and makes me feel manipulated somehow, instead of empowered.
But interesting facts are interesting facts.
If this is the result of investigative journalism, that is encouraging. But it doesn’t have that feel. Instead it has that feel of …. well, you know, the traditional way mainstream media in the Philippines does journalism – a way that is already being undermined with the presence of the web and bloggers – including a growing number of professional Filipino opinion columnists and journalists that are now on-line and accessible – accessible in ways other than by pre-arranged, clandestine meetings over Black Label and pulutan in QC or in a plush, cool corner of marbled-hall five star Makati hotel.