Media fatigue? Estrada turns radio-shy

Suddenly, President Estrada has become radio-shy.

The President, who earlier said he preferred radio to print media in giving interviews, is seriously considering plans to cut down his air time on his weekly programs.

The Office of the Press Secretary is now working out a schedule that would allow Mr. Estrada to hold more formal press conferences at Malacañang.

To be affected by the President's latest move is the radio/TV program Jeep ni Erap, which is aired over both the Lopez-owned TV network ABS-CBN and radio dzMM, and hooked up with government-owned PTV-4 and Radyo ng Bayan. The program is aired live on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and replayed at night.

Another radio program, "Itawag Mo kay Erap," is aired every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m to 9 a.m., followed on the same day by Mr. Estrada's interviews over dzMM and dzBB.

The President also has his "Ipa-Bombo kay Pangulo" aired from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. every first and third Thursday of the month over Radyo Bombo Philippines and hooked up with Radyo ng Bayan.

No one can blame Mr. Estrada for wanting to take a break after over a year of ruling the airwaves.

However, Presidential Spokesman Fernando Barican told reporters yesterday the President is simply making good on his promise to give fewer radio interviews and hold more formal press conferences.

"I think the basic plan here is to have `Jeep ni Erap' about once a month and have other radio interviews perhaps once every two weeks," Barican said.

Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes pointed out that the schedule is currently being fine-tuned, and the details will be announced once these are finalized.

At Malacañang yesterday, Reyes met with officials involved in the production of "Jeep ni Erap," including Philippine Information Agency director Joel Paredes, PTV-4 general manager Rey Rivera and Ding Gagelonia of Radyo ng Bayan.

As of press time, the meeting was still going on and no final decision has been made.

The President, who has had his differences with media in the past, earlier said he would rather be interviewed on radio so as not to be misquoted by reporters.