Arao, D. A. (2007, August 22-28). Kalaliman ng kababawan at kabaliwan. Pinoy Weekly, 6 (32), pp. 5-6. This may be retrieved from http://www.pinoyweekly.org/pw6-32/op_ed/ed-6_32_3.htm.

The problem with writing about unfolding developments for a weekly publication is that you run the risk of being overtaken by events. Immediately after Pinoy Weekly‘s issue came out, the development I wrote about has been somewhat resolved.

In this article, I wrote a critique of the personal essays written by Malu Fernandez which were published in Manila Standard Today and People Asia Magazine which offended the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Unlike some blog entries which were full of ad hominem attacks against her, I opted to provide a more sober analysis of how she violated the ethics of the journalism profession and why her articles do not make good case studies for responsible journalism. Out of professional courtesy, I even decided not to identify her and the two publications.

Don’t get me wrong. Personal essays and travel stories can be considered journalistic outputs but they should adhere to the highest standards of, among others, accuracy and objectivity. Writers must also attempt to relate their personal experiences to the overall social context, mindful of the ethical principles that go with analyzing data and articulating one’s arguments.

With Ms. Fernandez’s announcement of her resignation from the two publications she writes for,  the issue may be somewhat resolved, but it is far from over.

I think that the two publications still owe the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) an apology for what Ms. Fernandez wrote. This is the least they can do to save whatever’s left of their credibility.