PJI remains committed to journalistic duties
ON 21 April 2022, an article, with the headline entitled “Joma admits advising Leni” was published in Journal News Online. The article alleged that Prof. Joma Sison is a “contributor” as adviser to the Robredo campaign. The article claimed that Atty. Barry Gutierrez could have been a conduit between Robredo and CPP’s legal front. These reports came from a confidential informant of the Journal Group of Publications (Philippine Journalists, Inc. or “PJI”).
In an effort to further validate the reports, PJI made independent verifications through its network of confidential informants and by checking other news outlets which carried the same story.
The same article was published on 22 April 2022 on People’s Journal and People’s Journal Tonight entitled “Joma admits giving advice to Leni Camp” and “Joma admits advising Leni,” respectively. On the same date, a YouTube channel featured a video with the title “CPP founder Joma Sison, inamin umano na siya ang acting adviser ni VP Leni Robredo.” The same was allegedly aired in a TV news program.
Subsequently, Ang Bayan, the publication of CPP, released the article “Fake news regarding Ka Joma’s ‘guidance’ in Robredo’s campaign, denied” on 23 April 2022. The said article provides that “According to Ka Joma, he did not advise Robredo.” It further stated that “Ka Joma also denied that he was consulting with Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez.”
After this development took place and steadfast to its commitment to keep the public informed, PJI immediately included the side of Prof. Sison in the online article to reflect the declaration of Prof. Sison and Robredo’s camp.
On 24 April 2022, a newspaper published online that Atty. Gutierrez denied the allegation that he served as a conduit between VP Robredo and the CPP. He likewise denied that Prof. Sison offered advice to the Robredo campaign.
To further inform the public of the CPP’S side on the issue, PJI published an article entitled ‘CPP issues denial’ on April 25, 2022 in People’s Journal Tonight.
PJI and its staff realize that the foundations of the news articles published on 21 April 2022 and 22 April 2022 are no longer as firm as it was at the time of publication. It is this realization that has led to the publishing of this article. PJI recognizes the imperative need to be vigilant as news stories develop over time in order to apprise the public with complete and accurate information. We regret and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to Atty. Gutierrez and all affected parties. regarding this incident. PJI remains committed to its journalistic duties and to improving the manner by which it investigates and delivers timely news to the public.
