“Envelopmental” Journalism to Advertorial Guesting

| Photo by Jorge Maya on Unsplash

Ever wonder how much truth there is in journalism? Given the ubiquity of digital media, where are the guardrails? What are trolls? Did you know that troll farms exist? What do trolls eat? The truth. Because present life revolves around digital media on computers and smartphones, it has become increasingly challenging to monitor and vet what is said and uploaded. The purveyors of lies, deceit, and half-truths lay waste to information. Unfortunately, untruths are easier to peddle and believe, mainly when the digital arena compensates by the number of clicks, views, likes, and subscriptions.

The more sensational the lie, the farther to the edge of incredulity, the greater the influence and the compensation – the truth matters not. The truth carries a higher price tag. Worse, the truth, which requires integrity, is often priced like the prevailing price for lies. As a requisite of integrity, truthtellers will not pay the ransom. In that scenario, vested lies will win.

Envelope journalism, also known as envelopmental journalism, is a term used to describe the unethical practice of bribing journalists with cash or gifts in exchange for favorable media coverage. The term “envelope journalism” comes from the envelopes used to hold these bribes, which are given ostensibly as tokens of appreciation for attending press conferences or events.

Unfortunately, this practice is common in some regions and can undermine the integrity of journalism by promoting biased reporting and compromising the credibility of news organizations.

Advertorial guesting refers to inviting a guest to contribute informative and promotional content. This content, known as an advertorial, is designed to blend seamlessly with the editorial content of the host publication while subtly promoting a product or service.

Envelopmental journalism and advertorial guesting are indeed prevalent issues in the Philippines. Envelopmental journalism, where journalists receive bribes for favorable coverage, has been a long-standing concern. This practice undermines the integrity of journalism and can lead to biased reporting.

Ethics enforcement in journalism in the Philippines is a significant concern, given the prevalence of practices like envelopmental journalism and advertorial guesting. Several organizations are working to uphold ethical standards in the media:

1. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has produced a comprehensive Ethical Guide for Filipino Journalists in partnership with Internews and USAID. This guide aims to provide practical guidelines on journalism ethics, especially in the age of social media and online platforms.
2. Philippine Press Institute (PPI) has a Journalist’s Code of Ethics that outlines principles such as reporting the news accurately, respecting confidential information, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
3. The National Press Club (NPC) has a Code of Ethics that emphasizes fair and honest methods of obtaining news, respecting individuals’ privacy, and maintaining professional integrity.

These organizations and codes of ethics are crucial in promoting responsible journalism and combating unethical practices. However, enforcement remains challenging, and continuous efforts are needed to ensure journalists adhere to these ethical standards.

While there isn’t a specific legislation solely dedicated to journalism ethics in the Philippines, there are several important documents and guidelines that promote ethical journalism:

1. Philippine Journalist’s Code of Ethics (1988) outlines principles such as reporting the news accurately, respecting confidential information, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
2. Code of Professional and Ethical Conduct in Covering Elections. This code, which provides guidelines for ethical journalism during election periods, has two editions: one from 1998 and a revised edition from 2021.
3. Ethical Guide for Filipino Journalists (2021). Produced by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) in partnership with Internews and USAID, this guide offers practical guidelines on journalism ethics, especially in the age of social media and online platforms.
4. The Code of Ethics for Media. Formulated by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and other agencies, aims to promote gender-sensitive media content and uphold ethical standards in media organizations.

These codes of ethics belie current practice. Every second of airtime and square inch of screens of all sorts is for sale to the highest bidders. Certainly, room is left for the headlines, but all space beyond belongs to those willing to pay. Journalism is where the truth, nation-building, and the free exchange of ideas die. Our country and the Filipino people’s future are laid waste on the battlefield of credulity and basic truths.

–——————————————————-

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Crispin Fernandez advocates for overseas Filipinos, public health, transformative political change, and patriotic economics. He is also a community organizer, leader, and freelance writer.