I hope that in the real interest of fair and balanced news reporting, the giant networks and other local publications will heed the call of Philippine National Police chief, General Benjie Acorda’s for the media to be part of government efforts to stir investors and tourists’ confidence and help spur economic growth and not undermine it.

The new top cop actually reechoed similar calls made by his past 28 predecessors, the last of them newly-retired PNP chief Jun Azurin who has consistently called on the press to be fair and objective in making their report and not siding with a particular group or an individual.

“Gusto namin yung serbisyong nagkakaisa with other government agencies. We want to promote inter-agency cooperation including those from the media. Isang bansa lang tayo at dapat na magmahalan tayo. Let’s invite investors and tourists in our country,” the member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 told his first press conference at Camp Crame.

Gen. Acorda talked with newsmen covering the PNP national headquarters shortly after having his first command conference last week to lay down his plans and programs as well as strategic guidelines to sustain the trust and confidence of the people to the police force.

“For the media, i want to be open with you to make sure that what the police is doing will be relayed to the public. I am soliciting your support para yung publiko na ang magsusumbong sa pulis,” he said.

The top cop, just like other top government officials have noted that in any democratic country, the media plays a vital role in creating, molding and reflecting public opinion.

However, this could not be done as long as the giant networks and news publishing companies have their own political biases, particularly having their own candidates in the last presidential and national elections.

Having covered the police force since its creation in 1991, I have been a witness to the many rivalries among PMA classes and contenders for the top PNP post. I have also been a living witness to how some media personalities have allowed themselves to be used wittingly or unwittingly by a particular group or some individuals for reasons known only to them.

During the heated race for the top PNP post in 2008, I still remember the frontrunners then, namely Generals Jess Verzosa and Geary Barias telling me to ask friends from the press to maintain their professionalism and not resort to mudslinging or black propaganda. In short, ‘walang siraan.’ In the end, Gen. Verzosa became the 15th PNP Chief fair and square. My Ninong Geary told me after the race was over: let’s support Jess.

Although it is human nature for members of the press to root for their respective candidates in a particular race, whether it involves the presidency, a mayoralty post or even a PNP chief, fairness and professionalism must always apply. Never hit one while promoting another because nobody knows what will happen next, especially when the one being hit, scorned and lambasted become the victor.

This actually was evident in the recent race for the top PNP post with some writers mentioning the names of the major contenders to replace Gen. Azurin without even mentioning the name of Gen. Acorda. It was only the Journal Group which published the names of the real contenders for the post, one of them Gen. Acorda who was then the PNP Director for Intelligence. In the end, the real ‘dark horse’ from the Solid North won.

It is a fact that over the years, the media became so powerful that it soon acquired the status of “Fourth Estate” as it was aptly described by the British politician Edmund Burke.

It also became so indispensable for the democratic functioning that Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd president of the United States was quoted as saying “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.”

Indeed, the Philippine media plays a very important role in enlightening and educating the people as it touches almost every aspect of public life in the country. Thus, it can aid public involvement through advocating issue and transferring knowledge, skills and technologies to the people.

It also plays an important role in awakening the people thru timely and accurate reportage of events and other issues specifically during election period including corruption and what the government has been doing to combat it.

I am quite sure that many officials will agree with me that the electronic and print media have indeed become the most powerful tools in shaping the perceptions of individuals and nations about every major national and international issue.

They also reflect the quality of national discourse and priorities, prompting leaders to claim that a heavy responsibility resides with those who own broadcast companies and newspapers and their commentators, columnists and reporters and a need to study them with the end in view of having a serious appraisal of the role they play in shaping up the society.

The issue in fact have triggered questions on so-called network and newspapers’ war. One main question being asked is this: Is the race for ratings, subscriptions or daily sales the primary driver or are there any other principal considerations that determine the content and direction of the Philippine press?

During his assumption speech on Monday last week, Gen. Acorda called on the media to be their partners, not foes in bringing progress to the country. “To the media, our long-time partners, we welcome critics as our independent source of check and balance. We are allies in bringing out the truth. We need your support to inform the public of our endeavors for peace and order. We will be transparent,” he declared.

“I am soliciting the support of everyone for I cannot do it alone. I ask for your cooperation, your support and your commitment. Together we will overcome the challenges the organization is facing,” he added. Well said Chief.