While I don’t particularly admire Rendon Labrador’s penchant for negativity, there’s a point on which we can find common ground: the undeniable decline of the mainstream media and entertainment industry.
Consider the fate of technology giants like Kodak and Nokia—once too big to fail, their failure to adapt to the fast-paced world led to their demise. Though they still conduct business, they are shadows of their former selves.
GMA-7 and ABS-CBN-2, media behemoths in the Philippines, have been integral to our daily lives, but their influence is waning. A decade ago, I disconnected my cable TV subscription, realizing I spent more time on the Internet than watching TV—an unnecessary expense.
Consumers desire control over what, when, and where they consume content, a luxury conventional media doesn’t afford. While they’re present online, a substantial portion of their income still comes from free television.
Advertisers are migrating online, paying influencers to promote products. The Internet has leveled the playing field for businesses and individuals, humanizing once untouchable celebrities. Online and brick-and-mortar stores, regardless of size, can now advertise at much lower cost to a wider audience.
A future where the Philippines is entirely online seems inevitable, with the younger generation immersed in social media. This transition will compel businesses to boost online presence and the older generation, currently disinterested in technology, to unwittingly embrace it.
I don’t harbor concerns about the future of the entertainment industry, even as advertisers shift their budget predominantly to online platforms since free television viewership has dwindled. A multitude of influencers now provides a viable alternative, enabling us to create superstars without reliance on media networks that once held sway over success in show business.
However, my apprehension lies in the potential replacement of journalists by untrained content creators who lack a specific code of ethics. The media, often referred to as the fourth estate, plays a crucial role in safeguarding the truth and holding those in power accountable. The fear is that an absence of proper training and ethical guidelines among content creators could compromise this vital function.
The essential role of news outlets should not be supplanted by bloggers. Many contemporary content creators, providing alternatives to established news organizations, are primarily motivated by financial interests. Notably, a collective of vloggers seeking accreditation at Malacañang Palace disbanded due to divergent opinions—a healthy exercise that should thrive in a robust democracy.