Du30 Is Telling PH Journalists To Stop Look Listen – But They Won't!

First things first: 

Do I love Du30? I do.
Do I love Dante Ang? I do.
I love my enemies!

Are Philippine journalists looking for enough ropes to hang themselves?

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, a non-journalist, has been trying to teach our Philippine journalists the basic lesson of "Stop Look Listen" – a sign you see in a railroad crossing. Meaning, "Cross at your own risk." Bus conductors are obliged to jump off the driver-immobilized transport to check for any approaching wheels of steel. They know what's good for their vehicles, and their passengers – bus & train.

Not Filipino journalists, not worried about their media and their staffs. They insist on meeting tit for tat, Truth for Truth. Like the Manila Times online and Rappler.

So, we have the news today, Thursday, 25 April 2019, where ANN says "Manila Times Editor Resigns Over 'Matrix' Story" (Author Not Named, 25 April 2019, Rappler, rappler.com):

Felipe "Ipe" Salvosa II tendered his resignation after Times owner and chairman emeritus Dante Ang fumed over Salvosa's Twitter post questioning the "matrix" story of Ang that identified the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Vera Files, Rappler, and the National Union of People's Lawyers as being involved in a plot to oust Duterte.

Journalists have become enemies of themselves, including Mr Salvosa, PCIJ, Vera Files and Rappler.

I have already warned Maria Ressa, CEO of Rappler, about digging for the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth! I have so far written 5 essays on Miss Maria and journalism; here is the first one: "Happy Valentine's Day, Maria Ressa! In Prison" (14 February 2019, Journalism for Development, blogspot.com).

Today, the Truth is fighting journalists like Mr Salvosa, Miss Maria and Ellen Tordesillas of Vera Files. And feisty former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

I learn today, via Facebook link, the news by Marlen Ramos: "Morales: Timid Press Is A Clear And Present Danger To Democracy" (Inquirer.Net, newsinfo.inquirer.net). She told the Second Conference on Democracy & Disinformation in Taguig City on Monday, 22 April:

What should we do to arrest the decay [of democracy]? We should assert our rights. We should not allow fear to overcome us. If you're afraid, then the more reason your rights will be trampled upon. I call upon all of you to raise your voice, to come up with dissent. Your voice should be counted. You can't [speak] in whispers. You should not be afraid. By raising your dissent, there's no crime committed.

The absence of check-and-balance mechanisms plus a timid press present a clear and present danger to democracy. One just has to rule by fear and intimidation to impose tyranny.

Our democracy is sick and truth-telling is the only antidote.

No! The way you look at the Truth is not the way Rotarians look at the Truth via the Rotary 4-Way Test, that which Zig Ziglar has improved upon via what I call his Truth Serum, the formula THINK:

True?
Helpful?
Inspiring?
Necessary?
Kind?

Journalists and judges looking for the Truth:
Proceed at your own risk!517