A call to media to exercise sobriety in their reportage, amid the various controversies that have rocked the Arroyo administration recently was made by the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc.

In a statement issued on Feb. 15, its president, Juan Dayang, said the media should not play into the hands of those who seek to destabilize the duly constituted government and erode the people’s sacred faith in our democracy.

Media sobriety could help ease heated political debates and fortify the bonds of national unity, peace and progress, he said, adding that in these times of uncertainty, prudence dictates that mass media should take the side of caution and moderation so as not to exacerbate current tensions.

He also urged media practitioners to instead play up and give extra focus to positive developments that abound in the news scene, rather than “cater to the whims and caprices of grandstanding and publicity-seeking politicians”.*RG

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