Atty. Vergil Garcia calls for divestment, claims “half truth is a lie” and media has become “the enemy of democracy.”
In a forceful statement, lawyer and former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Virgilio R. Garcia announced he would pass a law prohibiting politicians and their immediate relatives from owning any media network. He argued that such ownership leads to slanted and untrue reporting, undermining democracy.
Garcia’s proposed law would ban politicians from owning radio stations, TV networks, or newspapers. The prohibition would extend to relatives within the third civil degree of consanguinity. Furthermore, any current media owner wishing to enter politics would first be required to divest their holdings.
“The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Half truth is a lie,” Garcia stated, directly accusing owned networks of reporting favorably for their political proprietors. He claimed these outlets protect the politician-owner, their friends, and relatives, rather than serving the public.
“The media is the enemy of democracy if you are bought by a politician and you are not telling the truth,” he asserted. Garcia criticized mainstream media, bloggers, and other outlets for “hiding the truth,” “cushioning the wrong,” and confusing the public instead of exposing corrupt officials.
He challenged the media’s integrity, asking, “How much do you value the truth?” and contrasted some networks with others like SMNI, which he suggested faced franchise loss for “really telling the truth.” Garcia concluded by stating the public’s ally should be truth and democracy, not political interests.#
