Debunking Metaphors

Journalism is the mirror of the people. Oftentimes, it is regarded as parts of a body; an eye to the state of the country and an ear for the cries of the masses. It lives within everybody and never a separate entity.

Government-imposed community quarantine has limited the people to know about their surroundings first-hand. It is only the news that acts as our senses on the outside world. On the other hand, how can the media be a mere tool for sensation, when it is actually us that is on the news?

Now more than ever, the role of the press is very evident. The pandemic has altered our life to the point that even the television prime-time shifted. From the previous afternoon slot, pre-noon currently has the highest increase in ratings surging of about 60 percent. This is expected as daily Coronavirus briefings are done during this span of time.

To see the press as a part of our own is a denial that the stimulus we receive is something that has to do with us. The numbers we see daily, are not just figures, they are a part of our population. They can be someone’s parents, a manong that sells your favorite taho, or a child that fought hard to become the doctor he aspires to be. As days passed by, the updates we hear start to be more personal. The rapid spread of this disease will soon cease to act as just an outside sensation, but a reflection of the situation we are all in.

Look in the mirror, and judge for yourself. It is in the roots of optics that even the considerably perfect mirrors are only 99.99 percent the true reflection of reality. There is always a space for bias. These instruments can make us believe in something that is not true. One can starve herself to death but with a faulty mirror she will always look the contrary.

Similarly, the press can be manipulative or manipulated. The craftsmen behind these articles have the power to make their audience think a certain kind of way. We associate light with truth, but truth be told, money can work its way to refract this to their advantage. To see, should not be always to believe.

Daily, the stream of information seems to be a very busy one. The number of deaths, corruption, controversies, and speeches are all heightened up. It is so easy to be caught up and just decide to keep our eyes shut and direct our ears to another. Actually, it is a privilege in itself to have access to information, to know the things that concern us. Some are not that lucky, confined in the silence of their simple homes where water and electricity is a luxury already.

As someone that is separated from the media, we have the liberty to choose which ones we will believe to be a reflection of our reality. Turning a blind eye to this freedom we are fortunate to wield will never help us to grow as a civilization. Fake news and manipulated press is the adversary of the progress we long seek to have. It is up to us to be responsible and critical in dealing with news.

Press-freedom is something that people have been fighting for even with their lives at stake. In these trying times, at the comfort of our own homes, social media has provided us a platform to discern truth from manipulation and to speak up. Be involved or at least be patriotic enough to not turn a blind eye.

Journalism is the mirror of the people. It is not our eyes nor our ears, for these two cannot witness the inclusivity of the beholder. Metaphors are not mere flowery words hoping to be an edge of a mediocre essay, it is a way of thinking. We should not let anyone taint, manipulate or shatter this mirror if we do not want to go places with filth on our face.