How does media ownership affect press freedom and Philippine democracy?
Media ownership has outgrowth an evil desire for the own benefits of numerous oligarchs in our country. Looking back to the time of Pre-Martial law until today’s oligarchs, most of the business tycoons own a massive percent of the country’s mass media. These had people developed a wide vested interest for their own financial gain specifically to their own businesses - resulting for having a negative impact on the press freedom and to the Philippine democracy. Journalists were not given a chance to disseminate what is true and what is right. They were controlled by the oligarchs to spread the news for their own gain and benefits. Media ownership has empowered the oligarchs and tycoons while the Philippine democracy is slowly fading without the awareness of many people in this country due to their cozy relationship with the media. As a communication student, it deeply affects me and bothers me about these sad realities here in our country. There must be press freedom but ironic