The Manila Standard and Malu Fernandez Statements to Media in Focus
As was seen in our previous post, regarding Media in Focus, during the airing of the show, Cheche Lazaro made it public the separate statements given to them by both Manila Standard Today and Malu Fernandez. Malu’s statement was a text message. Let’s first focus on the Manila Standard statement directed to Media in Focus regarding the issue.
MANILA STANDARD STATEMENT
“Despite our private desires as journalist to discuss the Malu Fernandez affair, The Manila Standard Today adheres to a certain set of protocols that prevent us from publicly discussing personnel issues”
Oh come on Manila Standard, they should really get their heads on straight. A personnel issue? This was a People Asia Article and a subsequent Manila Standard column that was published for everyone to read. Her “resignation” letter was published for everyone to read, and now they cannot comment because it is a personnel issue? All of a sudden they have rendered the discussion moot because it is no longer an issue of discrimination, for them its a personnel issue and they cannot comment. Of course this is used when they can’t focus on the real issue, but would rather deflect it and have everyone focus on a scapegoat of an issue like “lynch mob” and “death threats”. Give us a break. Step into reality, and everyone will soon see what I see, that they are putting profits over doing what is right.
And what kind of protocols are they adhering to? Since, even some of their own columnists thought that she was already on the way out, apparently even The Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote that Manila Standard already confirmed that she was on the way out. This was not protocol. This was a last minute change, that Manila Standard saw, since all the clamor seemed to be dying down, four of their columnists, to this date, have written about the issue, and a spokesperson for Manila Standard now issues this statement, not to the public, but to a television show. They are milking this for all its worth, and that my dear readers is the standards and protocols that they are adhering to.
“Having said that, perceptive readers would have noted that two Manila Standard Today columists have already devoted three columns on Ms. Fernandez, publicly rebuking their fellow Manila Standard Today columnist for an offending article that had seen print in another publication”
It’s not about rebuking Ms. Fernandez, because God knows, anyone can do that. Action is the key to the sincerity in which Ms. Fernandez as well as Manila Standard Today can show their true intentions. And apparently their true intentions is as clear as day when they choose to keep Ms. Fernandez as a columnist.
“In any case, a contrite Ms. Fernandez has already issued a public apology for what she had written both in the Manila Standard Today and in the first publication. The civilized response for the offended parties would have been acceptance of the proffered penance, unless the expressed remorse is taken as sarcasm by some parties determined to be insulted”
Contrite is a word that is not fit for Ms. Fernandez or even this management in The Manila Standard Today. And let’s talk about civility. They have the audacity, the braziness, and the attitude to tell us what a civilized response should be? They are dictating and being the moral authority of being civilized, when they themselves have lacked in the proper editorial and management responsibility which would have rebuked Ms. Fernandez, fired her, and then issued a proper statement of apology. For penance there must be sincerity in contrition and then there must first be accountability, but as we can clearly see, the amount of accountability is nonexistent, all swept under the rug, and a happy management is seeing publicity, the fruits of which came from the bigotry hurled at OFWs. Very well done Manila Sub-Standard.
And lastly, we are not determined to be insulted. How dare their spokesperson, or attack dog, make such a statement. We are insulted because they are determined to do the wrong thing. The insult is the effect, not the cause. What logic that works in the minds of these people, that they can make the feeling of being insulted as the cause of the issue, instead of their lack of morality on this issue as the true cause for our feeling of insult.
Oh Manila Sub-Standard they are determined to compound a wrong with another wrong, defending the bigotry and discrimination of Ms. Fernandez’s article in both publications because of their protocol.
May this protocol help them sleep at night, for the money that they gain from this issue is tainted by discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice. Everyone sees this, and maybe Manila Standard itself also sees this.
MALU FERNANDEZ STATEMENT
Malu refused to be in Media in Focus saying the following,
I have refused any interviews because it will just make things worse. Anything I say will be futile. That lynch mob that went after me was not i proportion to my mistake.
What lynch mob?! Oh Malu Malu, her statement is counter intuitive to what she has actually done. She said that it’s futile? So why issue an apology letter, but not interviews, if all of it was deemed futile? Could it be that her ready made apology was just another public relations attempt, and that any on the spot interview would reveal any insincerity. And her apology would show too much of her elitist attitudes towards OFWs and perhaps she may blurt something such as what was written in her article?
Much to my astonishment, Manila Standard Today, has gone on the offensive, hiding behind their columnists, but indeed, we know that their columnists do not represent them. They are misinforming the public when they think that they have issued a proper statement through their columnist. I thought these columnists were independent with independent views? Are they now the guardians of the gate for this paper?
This is where my indignation has gone into a new level. Manila Standard Today, in my view, will never be able to run with the big boys. It is a little child nowhere in the vicinity of the actual race. With their decision to hide behind the veil of Freedom of Speech, it becomes a decision of irresponsibility which shows the views and standards that they hold dear. Is this a case of profits over responsibility? When they hide behind the false issue, instead of focusing on the real issue of discrimination, what message does it send to The Filipino People. Of course, the answer is obvious. I’d just love to know what justifications they try to make to themselves so that they can sleep at night, and in the end, they themselves believe their own justifications.
It’s clear. Discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice must indeed sell, why else would they keep Malu Fernandez as a treasured columnist?
tags: malu fernandez, manila standard today, media in focus
It is very clear that Manila Sub-standard did not understand where these hate messages for Malu Fernandez are coming from. It was mentioned by the two bloggers who were invited as panelists by Che-che Lazaro that the emails were coming from all over the world. Nobody was leading this people but they have the same reactions to what Malu Fernandez has written. It means, that irregardless of social level, place of work or position, her article was offending. I believe that Malu Fernandez has a certain clout in Manila Sub-standard’s proprietors. They can sell their soul for the sake of connection and money so what credibility are the claiming now??
So is it rightful to assume they are creative enough to turn the tide on their side.
sick. so sick.
wait, wait… “the lynch mob is not proportional to my mistake” WTF!?
Well, actually, yes. I agree. It’s not proportional in the sense that I still feel the “lynching” lacking.
And if by “mistake” Malu means “shallowness, materialism, and overall stink” then yes, I agree that the “lynch mob” is still not proportional to the “mistake” in the sense that you can not equal or top Malu-levels of “mistakes.”
Honestly, the whole thing still stinks. Comments like the one Malu made still shows that deep inside, she still feels like she did not deserve any of this crap she brought on herself.
And the way Manila Sub-Standard handles this issue just validates Malu’s hubris.
But hey, if Malu wants a “lynch mob,” why not give her one? I’ll bring some pitchforks, someone please bring the torches…
I was really astonished reading her article. I thought ethnocentrism is used only by aliens (foreigners) when I found out that she is a true blue Filipina I was really devastated. by the stereotyping comments she had used. I even seriously want to SLASH MY WRIST…a metaphor phrase but a Figurative indeed…. I was an OFW in Dubai and I humbly say i excel in my job and I am paid fairly well. I live in a descent villa in Jumeirah and drive a sophisticated car as my freinds used to say and I had travelled 54 countries for my leisure sake.such a comfortable life…isnt it? and im not bragging, whinning or bitching because this is my real life situation as an OFW in Dubai… Being an OFW is not only about working as a DH. A lot of OFW excel in Dubai and to mention a few they work as Engineers, Doctors, Bankers, Managers, Training Consultants and Marketing Specialist. The problem with Malou she pretends to be well educated eventhough her Cerebrum is too narrow to grasp new ideas for higher mental process and her frontal lobe is highly damage for she does’nt how to show emotions. Now that I’m already here in the states I had never forgetten that once in my life I was an OFW and im very proud to be an OFW.I love my kababayans and I miss them very much wether they are proletariat or bourgeoisie, wearing axe cologne or bouchelone it doesnt matter to me, we are all homo sapien created by God in his own image and likeness though not socioeconomically equal but we are one in the eyes of God … well, i just want to relay a mesage to Malou that she should be more responsible in her words coz WORDS are very powerful that it can make you or break you….Its not a crime to share your opinion but you have to be more prime coz you are liable with your own WORDS used as a journalist.I am really torn out by your article but I had forgiven you coz all of us are humans and we all learn from our mistakes…. : )))))
She’s a gigantic elephant with a brain smaller than a cockroaches! What does she thinks of herself, some sort of a goddess! She’s just a pink baboy!she can never be happy if humilitaion is her business. manila Standard should fire her, such a disgrace to their indudstry. After all, I’ve never read Manila Standard, ever in my whole life!
Has there been anything in our Nations history that had any semblance of accountability… even erap’s conviction will not be seen through the end. It is just how the oppressive system is. MST’s actions are as Pinoy as Pinoy can get. damned we all are.