MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday criticized veteran journalists for conducting what he alleged were “paid interviews” with contractors now entering politics.
Sotto posted on Facebook, reacting to the resurfaced interviews of contractor Curlee Discaya and his wife Sarah with Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao, and showing photos of the said interviews
He said media personalities should reflect on why a subject would allegedly be willing to spend millions just to be featured.
“Before well-known journalists accept an offer to interview a contractor entering politics, didn’t they think, ‘Wait, why is this person ready to pay 10 million just for me to interview them?’” Sotto said.
He stressed that while such transactions may not be technically illegal, they undermine the credibility of the profession.
“At the very least it should be considered shameful and violative of the spirit of their code of ethics,” he said.
According to him, some try to justify these features as lifestyle content or sponsored material, but alleges that journalists are lending their reputation and credibility to the corrupt in exchange for money.
Sotto said corruption was systemic and extended beyond government, but breaking the cycle requires consistent integrity across all sectors.
“We can slowly but surely break this cycle if more and more of us consistently do our part, wherever we are and whatever our position may be, one step at a time,” he said.
