Browse > Home / Blogging, News, OFW, Personal / Closing The Chapter On The Malu Fernandez Issue, Part 1

Closing The Chapter On The Malu Fernandez Issue, Part 1

August 31, 2007

Author’s note:  While composing the post, I realized that it has become too lengthy to be posted as one entry.  So, I’ve decided to break this up into several posts.  I guess there’s just so much brewing inside me, having held myself back from responding to those that I’ve read, waiting for the right time.  Well, I think the time has arrived to let it all out.

For tonight, I give you the first part of the series. 

*     *     *     *     *

For 2 weeks there has been an ongoing furor on the Malu Fernandez article published in People Asia Magazine and her supposed apology statement. Everyone who was been apalled, dismayed, or insulted by her statements and who has access to the Internet must have given their opinions and sentiments on the issue, of which some were raw, while others were more controlled. All of these happening online, of course. But it’s about time that the issue be tackled in the real world.

The Malu Fernandez Issue in ANC’s Media In Focus

The issue, I think, reached its height when it was picked up by mainstream media, which has brought it to the attention of those who’re not bloggers or those who’re not aware of the skirmishes happening online. The issue, then, became a topic in ANC’s Media in Focus last night, August 30, with Benj Espina (not Medina) of Atheista.net and Josel Gonzales of selvo.wordpress.com representing the bloggers and Alex Magno, Lorraine Belmonte, and Ricky Carandang representing the mainstream media (though Ricky Carandang can be said to represent bloggers as well because he is a blogger himself). Questions regarding internet culture, blogging responsibility, the impact of new media vs. traditional media, and a lot more were discussed, in the light of the awareness raised by the Malu Fernandez issue. The discussion closed with Che Che Lazaro saying that Malu Fernandez made a mistake in writing such crass and discriminatory remarks against the OFWs but those who were offended and retaliated should have acted more decently and responsibly and with less crass.

Overall, I liked how the discussion flowed. There are two things that I want to point out, though:

  • It seems that the segment portrayed the entire blogging community as a lynch mob. I beg to disagree. While that there are those who obviously and undeniably behaved like they were part of a mob (I will try to discuss more about mob psychology in a later post), there are those who, even with different opinions, still held on to what reason tells them what is right. While almost all bloggers (except for one blogger who supposedly posted something in defense of Malu Fernandez) do have the opinion that Malu Fernandez did wrong, it is the manner of disagreement that spelled the difference between those who wanted to settle the issue in a more sensible and rational manner and those who simply wanted the issue to end by screaming that they were offended and that it was enough reason why the demand for Malu’s resignation and apology is outright fair. As I’ve said in one of my posts (or was it in the comments section of a post?), this issue indeed triggered a lot of emotions and these emotions tell us that something wrong was done to us. However, it is not enough that we succumb to “emotion reason” to settle this as rational human beings. We need to point out the flaws and the fallacies which are evidence why this issue must be settled by asking for Malu Fernandez to acknowledge her mistake.

Continue reading this entry.

Written by Prudence · Filed Under Blogging, News, OFW, Personal 

Comments


2 Responses to “Closing The Chapter On The Malu Fernandez Issue, Part 1”

  1. royluga on September 1st, 2007 12:36 am

    Prudence,

    One of the highest hits I blogged was the analysis on Malu Fernandez’s case and a call for sobriety on this site entitled Malu Fernandez Sacndal: Ending (after she resigned) last August 23. Prior to that, I called for sobriety trying to convince Malu or her publishers to address the issue immediately by issuing a statement in my blog entitled: tinig.com and Malu Fernandez, also in this site. I have observed that Malu already become a hot item, professional bloggers, communication experts already joined the prey, advertisers are alreasy pouring in - now inching to the call to boycott publications where Malu writes. Hence, it must be address soonest. The next day Malu resigned.

    I don’t believe that the blogging comunity is a lynch of mob. To some extent maybe. But professionals who knows how to handle the situations such as this will surely set in to control the situation to a certain extent. Especially professional bloggers who are not for money. There are many idealistic bloggers. In fact, it is one of the main reason why they are present in blog communities. It is because they don’t want to be dictated upon about their ideals.

    If there is somebody to blame, it is none other than Malu, her publisher/editor, who did not control or have exerted effort to manage the situation - and not the bloggers communities. This will draw a reaction.

    It should have been an acid test for the media think thank and pratitioners where Malu’s article was published. It should have been the best time for them to show how to turn around and control the situation to prove to their clients how good they are in media blitz as I discussed in my blog on 25 August entitled: MALU FERNANDEZ SCANDAL: A LESSON IN DAMAGE CONTROL.

    Bloggers community is just like the community where we lived, the only difference is that: there is no holds bar in the comments that pours in and its viewership is far ranging. Imagine: WORLDWIDE! Ad just like in an ordinary community there are anonymous complainants, who likes to express their sentiments or to be noticed pero ayaw lumadlad . . . it won’t hold water anyway. But once professional bloggers, communication experts, bloggers who are credible enough sets in, Sus! This is a serious matter because we are talking here of people with stature, not only in the community of bloggers, but the society as well and their comments are respected and given weight by decision makers.

    That was what happened with Malu, I searhed and observed those who sets in before I made my last blog a day prior to her resignation where I suggest that they address the issue immeditely because of the situation they are in. The sad part, however, was that - Malu was left alone in the cold expressing her apology and tendering her resignation like “basang sisiw”, which should have not been the case. Finally, there are still unacceptable tone (for others) from her remorse.

    The Malu Fernandez lesson is already a history. It was a good lesson on how to handle and manage quad media damage control measures. For others, the sad part was that - it already ended. Wala na mapag stismisan. To some, good its finally over.

    The issue which is developing now is the WOW WOWIE and EAT BULAGA . . . pag pinatulan eto sa blogging community, ano kaya and mangyayari? Abangan . . . will it be as hot a Malu Fernandez considering that WOW WOWIE is viewed internationally?

    Imagine if it goes on, it will surely reach the print and television media because of its magnitude, siyempre sasakay na rin yang mga yan for viewership because it is now very easy to look for advertisers, sponsors to raise funds for its production, air time and other expenses siyempre madaling ibenta kasi talk of the world na among Filipinos at sigurado madaming mag iinvest at kikita. It’s also timely that Malu resigned otherwise mas lalaki sakit ulo or mas malaki kikitain.

    Finally, ang mga bloggers medyo maski paano computers ang ginagamit I don’t think they’ll resort to violence . . . how about if it reaches the print media especially tabloids? Which most people read too . . . what do you think will be the outcome as compared to the bloggers?

    In the long the long run, I think Malu’s outift was greatly afected and shares the blame, in one way or the other. It is reflective situations are managed and controlled.

    God bless.

  2. royluga on September 1st, 2007 12:46 am

    I mean, “it is reflective of how situations are manage and controlled.” Sorry for typo errors.

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