- James Deakin was criticized for posing a photo with Bongbong Marcos.
- James Deakins explained the controversial photo with the Marcos Jr.
Social media influencer and motoring journalist James Deakin cleared the air regarding the viral photo with losing Vice Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos.
In a Facebook post, Sunday, January 21, Deakin explained it has nothing to do with politics but merely a journalistic job was done with objectivity.
“So all I can say is this: I’m not a BBM defender. I’m not a BBM detractor. I’m a transport journalist and road safety advocate that is passionate about finding solutions to this traffic crisis we are all going through”, he explained.
Deakin added that in being objective as a journalist he needed to talk to a whole range of people whether he agree or disagree with them.
“And that requires having conversations and interviews with a whole range of people. Not just people that I like or who agree with me. And that is the very least you should expect from an objective journalist.”
James Deakin has been in the center of a social media controversy after he was photographed with the late dictator’s son sharing a ride with Jun Palafox and Brandon Vera. The photo was posted by Vera on his Instagram page which sparked social media outrage.
The photo was taken during the recording of Deakin’s vlog on “How do you solve a problem like Manila”, one of many of recorded conversations with lawmakers, politicians and other government officials which he did throughout his career.
Actress Dawn Zulueta also posted a photo on her Instagram with Vera, Palafox, Deakin and Bongbong Marcos.
Here’s the complete post of James Deakin regarding the controversial photo with Bongbong Marcos.
“So I woke up to a whole Twitterverse of hate this morning. All based on a single picture taken with Brandon Vera, Jun Palafox, and Bong Bong Marcos.
Funny that nobody even knows what it is about, but already conclusions are drawn and judgement is handed down. If it interests anyone, this is for an upcoming vlog I call “How do you solve a problem like Manila” it is just one of thousands of recorded conversations I’ve had with lawmakers, politicians and other government officials through the course of my career. It is what I do.
So all I can say is this: I’m not a BBM defender. I’m not a BBM detractor. I’m a transport journalist and road safety advocate that is passionate about finding solutions to this traffic crisis we are all going through. And that requires having conversations and interviews with a whole range of people. Not just people that I like or who agree with me. And that is the very least you should expect from an objective journalist.”
