Thursday, February 23, 2012

MILF denies attacking Kidapawan jail

 

FROM SUNSTAR:

MILF washes hands off Kidapawan jail attack

 

 

Thursday, February 23, 2012
COTABATO CITY -- The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) washes hands off the attack on the Kidapawan City Jail last Sunday morning.
MILF Civil Military Affairs Von Alhaq denied the allegations that members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (Biaf) attacked the jail around 9:30 a.m. Sunday to release one of the detainees, Datucan Samad, alias Kumander Lastikman.
It can be recalled that the MILF was also involved in the attack of the Cotabato Provincial Jail in 2009 to release their comrades who are considered to be high-risk detainees.
Lastikman is believed to be behind the deaths of 30 civilians in Pikit, North Cotabato last year.
His group is also behind the highway robbery and hold-up incidents in the Cotabato-Davao Highway.
Lastikman is facing charges of extortion, kidnapping, carnapping, robbery hold-up, multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder, arson, among others.
However, there are rumors that a breakaway group of the MILF is behind the attack to free Lastikman.
The Kidapawan City Jail and Cotabato Provincial Jail have strengthened its security measures since Sunday. 
(Edgardo Fuerzas)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on February 23, 2012.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Media Bias against Ron Paul







Watched the SC GOP debate. John King was quite subtle in not giving Ron Paul equal time. When he does not ask Paul first (so he won't be able to rebut the others), he leaves him for last. But, instead of letting him answer the same question, he asks him a new question to begin another round of debate. But the audience apparently caught on. On the question of Right to Life, where King instead of asking Paul, was about to start another topic, the audience shouted Paul! Paul! Shame on King! Shame on CNN!

Two weeks ago, when covering Ron Paul's campaign after the New Hampshire primary, Dana Bash said to husband and CNN colleague John King. “I’m sure you talk to Republicans who are worried as well, just like I am, that Ron Paul will continue on long into the spring and summer." 

In a statement, CNN said: “The notion that Dana is anything but objective is preposterous. Dana’s report should be fully reviewed in the context in which she meant it—to reference John’s sources and her sources, not her own opinion. “

Obviously, CNN does not know what OBJECTIVE means.  It was very clear to all and sundry that Bash said, “as I am”. She told the world that she was worried that “Ron Paul will continue on long into the spring and summer." Where is the objectivity in that? And it was very much her own opinion.

Really, I have never seen such Media Bias against any candidate! Too bad I'm not teaching Journalism or Media Studies anymore. The GOP campaign is a great eye-opener for students. 

It’s a pity that Filipino professors could not care less about the US elections. So Journalism or Media Studies students are missing the historic opportunity to observe in “real-time” Media Bias in action and thus confirm Media Studies theories.