Noy appeals to media: Shun negative reporting

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday scored mass media over what he described as a tendency to focus on the negative rather than the positive aspects of life.

Aquino said journalists overlook positive real-life stories about helping people, particularly government efforts in easing the plight of typhoon survivors in the Visayas.

“Seems it is often forgotten, particularly when we are reading newspapers, listening to the radio or watching television. Maybe that’s how things are; the sense of negativism continues,” Aquino said at yesterday’s Christmas party of the weekly Bulong Pulungan forum at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.

“This seems to be the tradition in the press, whether local or foreign. Media seem to be boring when there are no controversies,” he added.

Inspiring stories – such as those about disaster victims who despite losing everything including family to calamities, have managed to smile, offer help to others and keep going despite the odds – were not reported.

“The survivors did not give up when it was very easy for them to,” Aquino said, referring to his recent visit to the earthquake-ravaged province of Bohol where he inspected government projects.

He said Boholanos maintained a positive outlook in life despite what happened to them.

There are still six-hour rotating blackouts in the Visayas in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Noy: Ratings don’t bother me

In the same event, Aquino said the changes in his trust ratings do not bother him, for as long as he does his job well even if is unpopular.

“I really have to stick with doing what I believe is right. I believe the people are fair judges and they have been a constant source of support,” he said, adding he expects the figures to rebound in case it goes down.

“What matters to me is for the people to see that I’m doing the right thing.”