DEBATES spur over the 2022 presidential interviews hosted by a multitude of media outlets to give political candidates a platform to introduce themselves and present their plans for the country, if elected. From television and radio guestings to YouTube videos, Facebook and even TikTok, the media continues to play its role in spreading information about our presidentiables and their senatorial slates. In this time where everyone can be influential through a click of a button in social media and be their own brands, are television networks still relevant?

News spreads faster than internet speed — whether factual or fake, and it influences people's view on certain things. With the coming elections, information has never been more sought after as we aim to know and understand what our future leaders offer on the table.

Convenience is a factor that we consider when filtering data; what is of most ease to us determines the story we digest. With different platforms, personalities and advertisements, we are drawn to local networks, tuned into their coverage of the elections and the grunt work behind the scenes. But why? Journalism receives most criticism over its integrity and competence yet we seek to follow established television networks and personalities for one thing: reputation that has been built from years of service and experience.          

Household names like Jessica Soho & Boy Abunda from the country’s powerful networks GMA and ABS-CBN, respectively, take the lead in subjective candidates in a series of questioning which gained mixed reactions from the online community. Avid supporters of different candidates voiced out their reservations on how the interviews were held, and how it portrayed their aspirants. However, what separates established networks from the rest of these influencers and platforms is that in pursuit of keeping their reputation, they must also remove all biases and personal views in the mission of producing authentic content for the voters.

Journalism in its core remains to center public importance over profit and in times like this and in spite of what the nation has gone through, responsible and credible Journalism  is exactly what we need.