FRANKLY, all the brouhaha about government “husbanding’ its resources particularly state ads that go into newspapers,radio and television (what, nothing for podcasts?) shouldn’t be there at all.

We think you really can’t fault government if it choses where to spend its money or if it endeavors to put some sense into spending such money. In fact, those chiefs and bosses who’ve been using that ad money in their budgets all this time to ingratiate themselves to publishers, station or network bosses and favored reporters, or to even urge the media sometimes to take a swipe at their pet peeves in or out of government, simply had their comeuppance.

Malacanang and GMA and the newly formed Communication Group have just cried,” ‘Nuf of your pork barrels, department heads and GOCC (government owned or controlled corporations), GFI (government financing institutions), guys,” and that’s about that. From here on, Big Sister thru Big Brothers Toting, Cerge and Dodie will call the shots.

Of course it could hurt the national media biggies, especially the uh, independent-minded among them, this move by Malacanang Bright Boys. Don’t go asking us why – or how. But if you ask the provincial press little tribal chiefs, chances are they’ll tell you they welcome this development. Now, at least, the playing field (for advertising placements) is level, they quip. If the promdi weeklies don’t have their lard, so will Manila or Cebu top dailies now not have their butter. Even-steven.

Now, at least, survival (and I don’t mean the threat (?) of a total clampdown on media — God forbid!) among the rambunctious, sanctimonious media will come thru the sweat of their brows and not from the greases of their government patrons.

But really, what’s wrong with government exercising control or supervision over its own people-entrusted money? That’s it’s mandate in the first place. We mean, it’s not as if the death knell for journalism in these parts has been sounded. After all, when you come up with your own private media empire, whaddaheck should you be depending on government largesse for — if not to corrupt your own independent soul? Whoever said it was right for the moral Church to get gold from Pagcor, huh?

Real heroes, true fighters don’t beg. They find other friends who share their ideals and who ask nothing in return for their graciousness.The Great Preacher, besides, said to all on the Mount: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?”
Tut, tut.