TEXT VIEWS: Do you trust what you read in the newspapers? Which journalist/columnist do you trust the most?

It depends. Any journalist who has the same views as yours, you consider the best. – Rico Arrieta, San Juan

It’s not on the matter of trusting, rather it’s on respecting others’ opinions as there are always two sides of a coin. – Victor Vinluan, Mandaluyong CITY

With a grain of salt

I read news with a grain of salt. Jarius Bondoc is a hard-hitting columnist. – N. Elizan, Quezon City

I don’t totally trust what I read in the newspapers, especially those written by very glaringly biased columnists. The columnist I don’t miss to read is Babe Romualdez, who writes in both the Opinion and Business sections of Phil. STAR. – I. Calata, Parañaque City

No, I don’t believe or trust all the news I read. Sometimes newspapers tend to sensationalize to make the news more “saleable”. – Ella Arenas, Pangasinan

Not all articles in the newspapers are trustworthy, especially those of the columnists. Among the columnists, I only trust Winnie Monsod. – C.T. Galang, Cavite

I do not always trust what I read, but I trust most F.D. Pascual Jr., and Roces. – Jett Avinante, Cavite

I don’t trust the other dailies, which is why I switched from PDI to Phil. STAR. Your A.R. Roces is a jewel. – Felix Ramento, Nueva Ecija

I trust about 75 percent of what I read in this paper, and the columnist I trust the most is Alex Magno. – E.C. Deveza, Makati City

I am selective on what I digest, as not all items are gospel truth. My admiration and trust belong to Cito Beltran. – Janet Hernandez, Bulacan

I wouldn’t trust everything in my newspaper, much less some of the egotistic half-truths in Inbox. I do trust every journalist to deliver the news. What I do with the information is up to me. – Noel Navales, Antipolo

No, I analyze what I read in the newspapers. I don’t know them personally, but I trust and respect Alex Magno and Jarius Bondoc. – Joel Caluag, Bulacan

Depends which newspaper. No, not even all the news in Phil. STAR. I go for Alex Magno, Jarius Bondoc, Domini Torrevillas, Marichu Villanueva and the late Manong Max. – Mike Manalastas, Manila

I prefer broadsheets to tabloids

Some broadsheets like Phil. STAR, yes; tabloids, not much. I trust the most columnists like Alex Magno who writes with sense. – Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City

It depends on the news, but most of the time I rely on the broadsheets. I prefer Philippine STAR’s Funfare by Ricky Lo. – Hazel Escano, Baguio City

Not all, especially those published in tabloids. I really don’t trust them for they sometimes alter articles for these to appeal to readers. I trust journalists who are working for newspapers like The Philippine STAR. – Ronald Dulay, Baguio City

Love ‘em all

I have doubts on tabloid reports. Many seem to be untrue and intended to sell the paper.  I believe the real professional papers maintain the aim of balanced news. I regularly read Atty. Sison to learn, because ignorance of the law is never an excuse; and Mr. Pascual, because of his report about my native Pampanga. Until this time, I’m also curious about Mr. Bondoc’s lady-senator who parties without any expenses. I also like the health columns of Ms. Alano and cut out those of Dr. Reyes; lets me save money for medicine books. The putong babi of Chef Tayag is just something to crave about. I love them all. – Rose Leobrera, Manila

Definitely

Definitely, most especially The Phil. STAR. If journalists/columnists were not trustworthy, they wouldn’t last. – Nap Cinco, Rizal

Yes, I trust whatever I read in the newspaper. I only read one kind of newspaper, that is Phil. STAR. I also trust their journalists for giving balanced news to the masses. – Marla Celine Raoet, Baguio City

I do. Cito Beltran satisfies my craving for truth in the daily newspapers I read, like The STAR. – Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte

But of course, I trust my newspaper, your newspaper, the people’s newspaper, The Phil. STAR. Ana Marie Pamintuan, Federico Pascual and Jarius Bondoc are the three columnists I trust the most. – E. Linsangan, Isabela

After Edsa People’s Power 1, I trusted reading Phil. STAR, including the journalists/columnists. They write in a way that they are trustworthy! – Vic Alim, Caloocan City

You have to trust what you read, especially if it is The Phil. STAR. I don’t wreck chairs, but I trust Mr. Esposo, the Chair Wrecker. – Rex Bayson, Bulacan

A buffet of news

If a newspaper item is doubtful, I doublecheck it against TV and radio. Except for one, Phil. STAR columnists are worthy of trust. – Leterio Bayson, Bulacan

Aside from radio and TV, I also gather information from the newspapers. Manong Max Soliven and Ka Doroy V. will always remain my favorite. – Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City

My favorite read

I trust what I read in the newspapers, especially Phil. STAR, which always reports the truth. Jarius Bondoc is the one I trust the most with his explosive exposés against anomalies in the government. – Johann Lucas, Quezon City

Phil. STAR has achieved much credibility that it has earned my trust. MVS was once my favorite, now it’s a mix of Bondoc and Esposo. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

Yes, I trust what I read in The Phil. STAR, my one and only newspaper. I fully trust Jarius Bondoc. He dwells on investigative journalism. – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

I don’t trust all that I read in some newspapers, but I trust Phil. STAR and Manila Bulletin with their journalists and columnists, but no one in particular. – Rodolfo Capili, Caloocan City

I trust what I read in Phil. STAR. My most trusted columnists are Cito Beltran and Jarius Bondoc. – Esmie Olaes, Cavite City

Yes, especially Phil. STAR and Inquirer. In your newspaper I trust Alex Magno the most. His opinion and analysis could be considered one of the best. – Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan

I only trust columnists of STAR and Business Mirror. – Mark Capistrano, Parañaque City

Among the national dailies, Phil. STAR comes close to accurate reporting. There are news reports that are distorted, however. – Loi Castillo, Davao City

I trust the veracity of what I read in my Phil. STAR. My favorite columnist is Ms. A. Pamintuan. Her words are mellow but biting. – Cris Rivera, Rizal

We trust Philippine STAR journalists, all its columnists, like Mr. Bondoc, Ms. Pedrosa, Mr. Magno, Mr. Chanco, Ms. Soliven, Ms. Pamintuan. – Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province

I fully trust the truthful Phil. STAR. I enjoy reading all your columnists, including the Chair Wrecker. – E.M. Apodaca, Las Piñas City

Only if I read it from The Phil. STAR. Also, I’m awed by the erudition and gumption of Alex Magno and William Esposo. – G. Baliatan, Rizal

I never doubted the credibility of The STAR and simply marvel on the columns of Alex Magno and Ana Marie Pamintuan. – Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City

Best journalist/columnist

I like best Phil. STAR’s Amy Pamintuan. She is principled, sticks to the truth, is beholden to no one, and tempers what she writes. – Robert Young Jr., San Juan

Not all unless the information comes from Boo Chanco for general commentaries and Joaquin Henson for sports analysis. – Dr. F.C. Gallardo, Nueva Ecija

I like most Ninez-Cacho Olivarez of Tribune, a woman with balls. Why? Read Tribune. – Maria Day Benzon, Vigan City

Some journalists are amusing, some confusing and others are true-blue loyalists. Others are AC-DC. I like Jarius Bondoc and Esposo. – Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan

It’s trustworthy to read the event of the day in the newspaper. I trust Mr. J. C. Sison on his ‘A law each day’ column. – Virgilio Alumnos, Cavite

Not always, as journalists often spice their news with lies to sell like hotcakes. I trust A. Roces and F. Pascual Jr. – Nene Biason, Las Piñas City

I trust most A. Pamintuan because she presents both sides of the coin. – A. Lamata, Taguig

Yes, but later on, I’ll separate the chaff from the grain. Alex Magno is my man. Hoping Ana Marie Pamintuan won’t get angry at me. – Romeo Caubat, Masbate

A newspaper’s credibility is my basis and my journalist is Patricia Evangelista, a very intelligent young writer and speaker. – Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon

Jarius Bondoc is my favorite columnist for he is already a hall of famer in investigative journalism. – Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City

I’ve been reading newspapers for quite some time and my favorite columnists were Manong Max and Joe Guevarra. – Dr. Manolo Cristi, Quezon City

I trust Alex Magno for his incisive analysis of events. He enlightens by dwelling on issues rather than personalities. – R. Los Baños, Las Piñas City

Trusted journalist? Jarius Bondoc. No one else is even close. – A. Yare, Cebu City

There were two journalists I really did trust then, namely Mr. Max Soliven and Mr. Teodoro Benigno. It’s ironic that they are gone. – Coty Parco, Kalibo

A few good writers

I trust only Phil. STAR. Why? If other broadsheets tend to be biased, Phil. STAR manages to be impartial yet hard-hitting, as the great “Manong” Max Soliven personified. Now it is only Atty. Jose C. Sison. Although William M. Esposo shines once in a while and of course, Alejandro Roces. – Gerii Calupitan, Mandaluyong City

Not all. Jim Paredes, Ichu Villanueva, Ana Marie Pamintuan, Cito Beltran, Francis Kong and Singkit. I like them all. – Anacy A. Cortez, Quezon City

I trust Phil. STAR because of the views of columnists Magno, Pamintuan, Bondoc, Villanueva, Beltran and De Guzman. – Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City

Not all. I like Bondoc, Magno, Chanco, Pedrosa. – Roberto Guzman, Baguio City

Oh, yes, I trust columnists Beltran, Pascual, Sara, Magno, Esposo, Bondoc, Pamintuan, Sison, Villanueva, Chanco, Henson , Reyes, Delos Reyes, even Ricky Lo! Also Style S.0.S. Tingting, Lucy and Rissa and all. – Felma Aguilan, Occidental Mindoro

Alex Magno, Ana Pamintuan, Alejandro Roces top the list of my most trustworthy columnists, but the NBA/basketball fanatic in me would be quick to point to Mr. Quinito Henson as a cut above the rest in sports journalism. His columns are a mix of fairness and entertainment. The mere fact that our family has no plans of putting a halt to our subscription of The STAR goes to show that we continue to trust the newspaper. – Jun Totañes, Parañaque City

On a case-to-case basis

Most of the time, yes. I trust its reports. Corrections are made anyway on errors. Who else to trust but J. Reuter? – Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City

Sometimes I do trust them, especially when it involves the President of RP. I trust Atty. Sison. Phil. STAR is the best! – Michael Dalupang, Isabela

Yes, I trust what I read in the newspaper, except allegations that do not mention the source. – Ramil Que, Palawan

Maintaining high standards

Proofreading is important before printing the items. Mistakes in names, places or dates make them unbelievable. I like Sara Soliven’s column. She’s straightforward and real. – Julio Ibon, Laoag City

I see to it that the newspaper I buy is objective and investigative in reporting and does not sensationalize scandals to draw the attention of the unsuspecting reading public. The Phil. STAR columnists are going to the category of the late Max Soliven, whose writings were considered Biblical truth, as he always had solid facts to support his contentions. – Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City

I am inclined to believe columnists’ viewpoint if they cite their source of reliable information. – Ed Alawi, Davao City

Trust, integrity and respect, through its balanced formatting of news, opinion columns and features, make up what excellence is all about in a newspaper. Without doubt, The Philippine STAR stands out in this assessment. – Ludwig Aguinaldo, Digos City

Columnists have personal biases, but that’s okay. It’s abhorrent, though, if columnists use their pen to extort or twist the truth to favor clients who give regular payola. – C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City

THINKING OUT LOUD

If one watches TV interviews about SK, one would realize how dumb our young people are in terms of general information. Pathetic. – M. Sunico, Caloocan City

In The STAR, I read about many suffering huge fires. With our drought, wouldn’t it be wise for GMA to ban the burning of waste? – Mia Puno, Manila

REACTIONS

To Mary Christine Villa: You said I should respect the views of others, yet it seems that you don’t respect mine. Isn’t that twisted logic? – Leonard Villa, Laoag City

To F. Aguirre: Nur and the MNLF have a peace accord with RP so you should refer to the MILF as the enemy of the state now. – Jim Veneracion, Naga City

To T. Manalastas: You’re so mean to charge Phil. STAR of cheating to favor Ludwig Aguinaldo. Per his photo in The STAR’s anniversary issue, Ludwig seemed well-off and well-informed to send so much text a day to be No.1 texter. Me, I was a poor fourth placer but I’m happy enough. –  William Gonzaga, Marikina City

Views expressed in this section are those of the readers and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression.

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