Beyond the News: the Reporter, the Official, and the Executive

Image courtesy of www.appinions.com

Sometime ago, media personality (MP) was dispatched to cover a tragedy in a province. A prominent public official (PO) of the region apparently got smitten with MP that PO started giving him the exclusives. PO accompanied MP to far-flung places in his region that were hit hardest by the calamity. While other media personnel were holed up in electricity-less hotels, PO invited MP and his crew to his residence. Throughout the coverage, the staff and media from other networks noticed that PO was becoming fond of MP. Other than providing comfortable dwellings, PO also made sure food was delivered to MP and his crew. During their stay at the residence of PO, MP and PO would stay up late talking. Some staff who witnessed the nightly talks said that it lasted until early morning. After the grueling coverage, MP was granted a week’s vacation by his network. But instead of spending his vacation elsewhere, MP returned to the residence of PO.

Nothing would have been noticed except that when MP returned to work after a week, his co-workers noticed he had new gadgets like a laptop, a camera, and clothes. Naturally, rumours  spread quickly. The story alleged that MP and PO had an affair and that the new stuff were given by PO. Furthermore, PO came over to Manila and took MP shopping. The newsroom could not risk such rumors that can ruin the credibility of the network. MP returned the gifts, except for the clothes. However, the department conducted its investigation. Consequently, MP was suspended for two months for the alleged misbehavior. When PO learned of the what happened to MP, he called a powerful female executive (FE) of the network. Soon after, MP's suspension period was shortened, thus overturning the decision of the head of the department (HD).

The story of MP did not end there. After the PO incident, FE ordered that MP would be the one to cover all the activities related to her office. Soon, people began to notice the extra closeness between FE and MP. MP was always around FE's out-of-town coverages and events. While in a province, people saw them come out of a hotel room together, which fueled tonques wagging. FE even asked HD to take it easy on MP. (HD has since left the network and if the interference of the management in disciplining one of its employees is connected to HD’s resignation, people can only speculate.) Since that time, MP seemed to be “untouchable” in the department. Stories about alleged trysts between PO and MP are talked about in hush-hush. MP would be seen allegedly leaving the house of PO early in the morning. Some stories are also circulating, such as MP allegedly receiving certain freebies, such as  the use of vehicle granted only to senior members and a sizable allowance coming from the office of FE.

Most often, the media make good stories, but sometimes, they can be more interesting stories themselves.

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