Alonica Mae Jaradal

BAC -1

ThinkTalk: War on Drugs

(FOCAP)

1. What is the forum all about?

The forum covered the current state of the nation's fight against drugs. Contentious assertions
and claims put forth by various government departments were also criticized, along with some
widely circulated false information.

2. What is the disinformation presented in relation to the topic, and how was the guest
speaker able to debunk it?

 THE CURRENT FACE OF DRUG WAR

President Marcos asserts that his strategy for combating drugs differs little from the
"bloody" strategy of the previous president Duterte, contrary to what Mr. Carlos Conde, a
supporter of human rights, said. According to him, the same old policy is still being
followed. According to the current administration, they claim to be calibrating it so they
may claim in front of the international community that things have changed. – “Kung ang
sinasabing pagbabago ay walang Patayan, hindi totoo yon.”

 QUESTIONABLE DEATH STATISTICS

Dr. Raquel Fortun, a forensic pathologist, questioned whether we were even counting the
dead correctly. The most recent numbers show that there are just a little over 6,000
confirmed deaths. Unfortunately, those who were labeled vigilantes, unidentified bodies,
or even the missing ones are not included in this.

 STATE-SPONSORED
Dr. Fortun believes that because so many people are engaged, there is a larger conspiracy
at play here than a conscious attempt to hide the state-sponsored extrajudicial killings.
From forged death certificates to funeral establishments that lack the training or
authorization necessary to inspect corpses, some officers are the funeral owners, and the
Department of Health is indifferent to anything. – “Was it state-sponsored? It was
encouraged. Yes, mostly kasabwat ang estado dyan.”
3. As a communication student, why is it important for you to get involved in forums like
this?
Participating in forums like this can be a valuable learning experience for communication
students. Not only does it help you gain a deeper understanding of the pertinent issue from the
different viewpoints of the speakers that help to broaden your knowledge, but it also provides
you with the actual analytics. Furthermore, forums like this one offer a venue for networking
with people who share your interests or perspectives and with whom you can engage in
intellectual discourse that can be useful in both your personal and professional life.

4. Present and explain three takeaways from the conversation, and how can you relate
them to your subject, Journalism Principles and Practices?

 Throughout the discussion, a number of newspaper excerpts from credible sources were
broadcast simultaneously. Also, there was some media testimony, particularly from
photojournalists who were in attendance during the event. They support the story's
primary ideas and act as evidence for them. Such behavior demonstrates how open and
honest journalists should be while disseminating information.

 Just like how Atom Araullo verified President Marcos' assertion that his strategy for the
drug war differs slightly from the brutal strategy used by President Duterte, journalists
should strive to be accurate in their reporting. They should verify all facts and
information before concluding the story.

 According to Atty. Chel Diokno, the Philippine justice system operates on a double
standard. While on the other hand, Journalists, in my opinion, play a critical role in
correcting this label as they portray both sides fairly. They seek out multiple viewpoints
and present them in a balanced manner.