Marcoleta faces media backlash after branding journalists ‘paid hacks’

Members of the Senate media and the National Press Club of the Philippines on Thursday, June 4, condemned Senator Rodante Marcoleta for his sweeping claim that many members of the mainstream media are nothing more than paid hacks—calling the remark irresponsible, reckless, and an attack on an institution essential to democracy.

“Such remark of the senator was not only irresponsible, but a reckless attack on an institution widely acknowledged as essential to any functioning democracy,” the Senate media said in a statement.The Senate media said Marcoleta’s allegations unfairly maligned media workers who risk intimidation, harassment, and their lives to inform the public and hold the powerful accountable—and warned that unsubstantiated accusations against the press erode public trust in legitimate journalism and create a climate of hostility against practitioners simply doing their jobs.

“Marcoleta’s accusations against the press, if not supported by evidence, erode public trust in legitimate journalism and contribute to a climate of hostility against media practitioners simply doing their jobs,” the statement read.

The Senate media drew a sharp distinction between the press and the political factions it covers, saying journalists must never be dragged into the rivalries and power struggles of political figures.

“The media is not a weapon to be wielded by one camp against another, nor should it be treated as collateral damage in political warfare. Attempts to paint the press as partisan simply because it reports uncomfortable facts are both unfair and dangerous,” the statement read.The Senate media also called out the difference between healthy criticism of media coverage and the wholesale vilification of an entire profession.

“Public officials, such as Marcoleta, who make serious allegations against journalists have a responsibility to present evidence instead of just relying on inflammatory rhetoric that undermines democratic institutions,” the statement said, adding: “Journalists deserve neither blind praise nor baseless condemnation, but they do deserve the freedom to report without being branded, bullied or sacrificed in the political battles of others.”The National Press Club (NPC) echoed the condemnation, with NPC President Leonel “Boying” Abasola saying Marcoleta’s sweeping characterization of journalists as paid hacks not only wounds the profession but weakens the role of a free and responsible press in a democratic society.

Abasola said thousands of journalists across the country sacrifice daily to deliver accurate, balanced, and meaningful information to the public—often at the risk of their own safety—and that statements from elected officials made during official Senate proceedings carry significant weight and influence on public perception.

The NPC said elected officials have a responsibility to be responsible, truthful, and fair in their pronouncements—especially during official Senate hearings—to avoid creating false impressions that could lead to further attacks, harassment, or loss of trust in legitimate media institutions.

“Ang mga pahayag mula sa mga halal na opisyal, lalo na sa loob ng isang opisyal na pagdinig ng Senado, ay may bigat at impluwensiya sa pananaw ng publiko. Dahil dito, mahalagang maging responsable, makatotohanan, at patas ang mga ito upang hindi makalikha ng maling impresyon na maaaring magdulot ng higit pang pag-atake, paninira, o kawalan ng tiwala sa mga lehitimong institusyon ng media,” the NPC said.

Both the Senate media and the National Press Club called on all government officials to respect the essential role of the media as an information provider and guardian of democracy—saying criticism is part of a free society, but it must be grounded in truth and not in sweeping accusations.

“Nanawagan kami sa lahat ng mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na igalang ang mahalagang tungkulin ng media bilang tagapaghatid ng impormasyon at bantay ng demokrasya. Ang pagpuna ay bahagi ng isang malayang lipunan, ngunit ito ay dapat nakabatay sa katotohanan at hindi sa mga pangkalahatang akusasyon,” the NPC said.