Raffy Alunan Slams Media, ‘Freedom Of The Press Is Not Freedom To Destroy’
Raffy Alunan slams media -Former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Rafael Alunan III recently blamed the media for the recent issue wherein news said that President Rodrigo Duterte insulted United States President Barck Obama.
In a post on Facebook, Alunan said that the media that have reported that Duterte insulted Obama must be “singled out” and should be “sanctioned for malice”. Alunan added that Philippine’s diplomatic relations with the U.S. have been put to risk.
Alunan called these media “saboteurs” who were working under the influence that should have been blacklisted.
Also, he mentioned something about the freedom of the press.
“Freedom of the press is not freedom to destroy. The latter deserves appropriate action in order to deliver unforgettable life lessons and alter behavior,” Alunan said in his post.
Meanwhile, the former DILG secretary advised that senior officials need to undergo a seminar on how to answer or deal with the media, as well as how press cons and interviews must be handled.
“I hasten to add that all senior officials should undergo a seminar on how to deal with the press, and how press cons and interviews should be managed or handled. First rule, never get baited. Instead be the master baiter,” Alunan stated.
In the past days, a reply to a press made by Duterte really made a noise locally and internationally wherein the Philippine President has been quoted him as ‘degrading’ President Obama on the alleged calling him a “son of a wh0re”.
Meanwhile, netizens have defended Duterte and criticized the media for their claims.
The scheduled bilateral talk between the two presidents has been canceled and was rescheduled after the incident. Reports have pointed out the meeting was mutually rescheduled.