Fellow journalists came to the rescue of Kapamilya broadcast journalist Karen Davila from the Marcos Jr. trolls’ vitriol.
Davila went viral on social media following her interview with Sen. Imee Marcos on ANC’s Headstart on Wednesday, June 1.
Marcos joked about Karen still being in the country despite her brother’s win in the May 9 elections–during the intro.
“It’s nice to see you’re still here in the Philippines. Akala ko magma-migrate ka ‘pag nanalo ang Marcos,” the senator said.
The broadcast journalist managed to laugh off the joke and said that she’d always hope for the best for the country.
Marcos Jr. trolls, however, quickly spliced the video and shared it on social media to make it appear that Imee burned Karen.
https://twitter.com/donvillar1/status/1531803148339204096
https://twitter.com/BakerStrLondon/status/1531899833853759488
But several journalists also quickly went to social media to defend Karen and slam the woman-senator’s uncalled for humor.
Al Jazeera correspondent Jamela Alindogan tweeted that Karen has every right to be here in the country and that the Marcos family does not own the Philippines.
“Dictator’s daughter questioned why a journalist is still in the country even after the dictator’s only son won the elections. Karen is a Filipino and she has every right to be here. EVERY RIGHT. This is the Philippines and it belongs to the people, it’s not owned by your family.”
Dictator’s daughter questioned why a journalist is still in the country even after dictator’s only son won the elections.
Karen is a Filipino and she has every right to be here.EVERY RIGHT.
This is the Philippines and it belongs to the people, it’s not owned by your family. https://t.co/VzfplrEmZa
— Jamela Alindogan (@jamelaaisha) June 1, 2022
Another journalist Rommel Lopez meanwhile shared the entire exchange between Marcos and Davila to show the real context.
This is the entire exchange between @iamkarendavila and Sen. Imee Marcos which the trolls are gleefully feasting on. But the problem is, they cut the part where Davila said "hoping always for the best for the country." pic.twitter.com/ifUGo9cYL8
— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) June 1, 2022
According to him, trolls will always deliberately remove context to go viral. And these moves even how insidious are part of the work of PR and Advertising execs who service their clients.
Also, he added that journalists need to stand together against threats to press freedom, especially at these times.
“Trolls will always deliberately omit context for virality. Their operators are smart PR and Advertising execs. They know what they are doing [even how insidious it might be].
“They are servicing their client. Journos need to stand together, now more than ever.”
Trolls will always deliberately omit context for virality. Their operators are smart PR and Advertising execs. They know what they are doing even how insidious it might be. They are servicing their client.
Journos need to stand together, now more than ever.
— Rommel Lopez (@RommelFLopez) June 1, 2022
Fact-Check PH meanwhile tagged Imee’s remarks as misleading.
According to Fact-check PH Karen did not issue any statement saying that she will leave PH if Marcos Jr. wins the election.
“MISLEADING. Journalist @iamkarendavila did not make any statement (TV or online) that she will be leaving PH once Bongbong Marcos wins the elections. FACT: Despite BBM’s win, Sen. Imee and Marcos family can still be nabbed by US courts if they step foot in the country.”
MISLEADING. Journalist @iamkarendavila did not make any statement (TV or online) that she will be leaving PH once Bongbong Marcos wins the elections.
FACT: Despite BBM’s win, Sen. Imee and Marcos family can still be nabbed by US courts if they step foot in the country. https://t.co/uvrJ4OZ8cG
— Fact-check PH (@factcheckPH_AE) June 2, 2022
Regine Cabato of Washington Post also tweeted commending Karen’s class act despite obvious rudeness from Marcos.
“Why are these trolls so overconfident? Truth is, Karen could move to the U.S. or anywhere she wants bc she’s a reputable person, and she’s not the one who has charges or legal liabilities there She could’ve replied with a roast but she took the high road. Karen is a class act.”
https://twitter.com/RegineCabato/status/1532203182553632769
