Bu-lat-lat (boo-lat-lat) verb: to search, probe, investigate, inquire; to unearth facts

Vol. VI, No. 51      Jan. 28 - Feb 3, 2007      Quezon City, Philippines

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SPECIAL REPORT
Local Media’s Economic Woes

Although the press is looked up to as the Fourth Estate and serves as a powerful instrument in advancing social justice, its members are victims of the exploitation that the press discusses and exposes daily.

By Karl G. Ombion and Ryan Lachica
Bulatlat

Building Unity
Second of two parts

The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) defines media as under non-agriculture or industrial and services. The wages of workers in the sector therefore depend on the company’s capacity to pay.

DoLE’s Assistant Regional Director Ricardo Monegro, in an interview with Bulatlat, said that once “talents” have rendered service in a company for more than a year, they should become regular employees.

“Even if the company doesn’t recognize them (as regulars) the law mandates that after a year, their status becomes regular,” said Monegro.

“Volunteers, talents or whatever it is they are called, if the service rendered is necessary and desirable for the company’s usual business then they are considered regular, entitled to all benefits,” he added.

Monegro also said that social security, which is often neglected by media companies, is required upon first day of work. He further said that other benefits like hazard pay should be given in consideration of the difficulties faced by the workers.

What do media organizations do about it?

There are several media groups in the city but most of them act as only social clubs, said many of those interviewed by Bulatlat. Members gather when there are political gatherings, seminars and press conferences but they seldom attend to the welfare of their members.

Michael, a former radio reporter and anchorman, is now a blocktimer in a local radio station. He was also a former member of one of the oldest press groups in Negros Occidental. He said he entered media because he wanted to help people. Later, he realized that journalists also need help. 

Michael recounted how he was implicated in a libel case involving a prominent family in the province and his opponents even went as far as to try to kill him. But, Michael said, media groups did nothing to help him.

“Where was the NPC when someone tried to kill me, the KBP? What support did I get? None,” said Michael, referring to the National Press Club, a nationwide organization of mostly print media practitioners and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, a national organization of broadcasters.

Michael accused the two of existing only for profit, using their organizations as fronts for money making.

Like Michael, John is also not impressed with the KBP of which his station is a member and so are technicians like him.

“The KBP does not monitor if we are given proper wages here in the provinces. They do not help in uplifting of the social and economic status of the production staff,” said John.

Michael describes how some media groups operate: “A media man would approach a politician or prominent person in behalf of his group and ask for funds for their activities, like the induction of officers. It’s so obvious that they are just soliciting money since some have had their officers inducted several times, each time with a different set sponsors giving bountiful of donations.”

Need for media unions

DoLE’s Monegro observed that not a single media union exists in Negros Occidental. He also noted that members of media might be hard to organize since they are usually out covering events.

“It’s good if they would form unions. They would be stronger and have the power to bargain with their employers,” said Monegro

He said that whatever the status of the workers is – volunteers, talents, regular – as long as an employee-employer relationship exists, then they can organize a union.

He enumerated the three indications that an employee-employer relationship exists: selection of the employee by the employer, giving of wages and the power to dismiss.

Monegro said that forming a union is merely exercising a constitutional right.

“Sometimes the perception of the management about unions is very negative which is not supposed to be since the union should be their partner… as long as it is responsible,” said Monegro.

Strength in unity

Ranie Azue, secretary general of the Bacolod-based alternative media organization Liga Journalista, believes that it is time for members of media to organize themselves: “Experience tells us that abuse begets abuse if we don’t do anything about it.”

He said, “Journalists are instruments of change because they provide the people vital information and shape public opinion – and yet, they can’t even form a simple union.”

“It’s high time that those who speak the woes of the people be heard as well; they must get organized. Better still, they must form unions for their own protection and welfare,” he said.

Azue stressed that organizing and bargaining with management for better wages and social benefits are only the first steps. “We must advocate for social justice, for society as well as for media workers,” he said. With reports from Rommel Pido and Raquel Gariando / Bulatlat

First of two parts: From Media’s Grassroots

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© 2007 Bulatlat  Alipato Publications

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