On February 2, broadcast journalist Julius Babao shared his message to biased news people.
During the media conference for Babao’s welcome in TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas, he admitted that it’s “tricky” for news personalities to voice their opinions.
“Ang medyo tricky dito ay we are news personalities, we are journalists, so dapat kaming maging maingat pagdating sa pagbibitiw ng mga salita namin. Ang pagiging maingat ay hindi ibig sabihin, na parang takot ka na na magbigay ng opinion mo or masyado ka ng safe.”
He advised them to research and back up their opinions with evidence.
He also cited the possible blowback of voicing opinions without ample proof.
“Ang ibig sabihin noon kailangan i-research mo kung ano ‘yung sinasabi mo. Kailangan backed up ‘yung mga sinasabi mo ng evidence or mga documents para mag-patunay na totoo. Kasi kapag sinabi mo ang isang tao ay ganito, pero wala ka namang ebidensya, ang lakas ng loob mo na magsalita na ganyan siya, pag binalikan ka ng taong ‘yun at wala kang maipapakitang evidence, ikaw din ‘yung magkakaproblema.”
He then noted that a news person’s credibility takes a hit when they have a history of peddling fake news.
“It’s the background of the media personality, kapag ang isang broadcaster ay nabalitaan na natin na may record na ng hindi maganda in the past, medyo magdududa ka na doon eh, or alam mo na medyo biased na ‘yung kaniyang pananaw tungkol sa mga issues, towards a candidate or for a candidate, doon mo na talaga makikita na hindi na ‘yun objective.”
He noted that the ‘greatest challenge’ media personalities face today is the rapid spread of fake news.
“The greatest challenge right now is that ano, spreading of fake news. Kaya iba ‘yung labanan ngayon. It’s [going to] be doubly or triply hard for us to para labanan ‘yung mga ganong klaseng mga balita but we have to do with what we have. Responsibility natin ‘yan as journalist na talagang kailangan ma-deliver natin sa kanila ‘yung tama at pinaka-accurate at unbiased na mga balita.”
On the other hand, he noted the importance of connecting with the younger audience now.
“Nagbabago ‘yung audience natin pero ‘yung hunger nila for news will always be there.
“As far as personality as concerned, medyo nagbabago ‘yung audience natin, kailangan talaga makuha mo ‘yung attention nila at tsaka ‘yung interest nila. So with social media, I also have my own YouTube Channel nga.”
As for his transfer, Babao shared his advice to people making ‘big’ career changes.
“Ang advice na maibibigay ko ay You Only Live Once, kaya kung feeling niyo naguguluhan kayo, at hindi na kayo masaya sa ginagawa ninyo, ‘yun ang panguhaning sign na dapat ay mag-isip-isip na kayo na lumipat sa trabaho, makipaghiwalay sa asawa, or mag-explore ng panibagong direksyon sa inyong career.”
He continued by noting the importance of continuously reinventing and improving in life.
“You always keep improving, hindi pwedeng ano ‘yan, ‘yun nga ‘yung sabi ko eh, I take comfort in not being comfortable with what I do, kasi kapag naging stagnant yung naging takbo ng buhay mo, ‘yung takbo ng ginagawa mo sa buhay, that’s the end eh.
“Parang wala–parang masyado ka ng kontento sa ginagawa mo ganon na lang ‘yun. Hindi ka na magbabago. The most important thing in life is to reinvent yourself no, and to be good with what you do, to keep improving, because everyday is a learning process.”
Babao announced his transfer to TV5 in December 2021.
He will join TV5’s Frontline Pilipinas, after 28 years in the Kapamilya network.
Kapatid audience can start seeing the news anchor on February 7, every 5:30 PM, live on TV5 and via Livestream at News5 facebook and YouTube pages.
