craig aquino,
Ramon Tulfo is a journalist. As such, he has a duty to bring information to the people – to inform them of the truth – that they may be empowered as members of society. Many things may be said about him and his questionable beliefs, and many things have been said concerning such.
This article is not about those.
Recently, Tulfo posted a video on Facebook with a caption explaining that his driver ran over a six-year-old girl in Navotas, whom they consequently brought to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) emergency room (ER). He further claimed that ER doctor Jay Guerrero did not want to perform first aid on the girl, saying he did not want it videotaped.
The post, it appeared, was meant to shame the doctor for refusing care.
Instead, he drew the collective ire of doctors, medical practitioners, and even non-medical persons.
Tulfo responded to his critics saying that when they got to the PGH ER, it was in a wet market-like state, with patients lying unattended on the floor. He also said that he originally meant to record only the child for legal reference, the doctor being videotaped only after refusing care. Tulfo further added that the doctors and staff of the ER seemed blunt to their surroundings.
Tulfo’s actions were deplorable.
He made an ER – an already very stressful environment – an even more stressful one. He was verbally abusive towards the doctor and staff, insisting they disregard protocol so that the girl he brought be treated ahead of others who may have needed more urgent care. He videotaped staff and patients without permission, and refused to stop when asked.
He claimed that he was acting for the child run-over’s welfare, but not once did he ask for permission from the child’s – a minor’s – mother whether videotaping was fine. Even more than that, he uploaded the video for public viewing, without the face of the child being censored, in violation of both local and international broadcasting guidelines.
He apologised for his outburst, but refuses to apologise to Dr. Guerrero and the PGH, saying that he made his point clear – that he was concerned for the child. He also refuses to take down the initial video, claiming that it can be a future point of discussion. His reasoning in the former has no merit. His reasoning in the latter partly does. However, a compromise must be made – one cannot simply disregard the rights of a person for academic discussion; ethics must still be observed.
All things considered, he seems to want to portray himself as a man doing good – a hero. In reality, all he has accomplished is to display an inflated sense of ego and self-righteousness.
In the end, he not only harmed the PGH and its staff, but also the journalistic institution as a whole.
His actions show an abuse of the title of journalist. They portray a kind of righteous journalism which the institution does not need right now, especially with so many people – politicians even – casting doubts on it.
Terrible is this attempt to mask his foul deed and tongue with the mantles of journalism and concern. It takes a profession meant to empower people with knowledge, and turns such into a sheep-cloak for Tulfo’s injurious attempt to get special treatment.
No journalist should ever stoop to this level.//by Craig Aquino
Opinion: An abuse of office
Ramon Tulfo is a journalist. As such, he has a duty to bring information to the people – to inform them of the truth – that they may be empowered as members of society. Many things may be said about him and his questionable beliefs, and many things have been said concerning such.
This article is not about those.
Recently, Tulfo posted a video on Facebook with a caption explaining that his driver ran over a six-year-old girl in Navotas, whom they consequently brought to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) emergency room (ER). He further claimed that ER doctor Jay Guerrero did not want to perform first aid on the girl, saying he did not want it videotaped.
The post, it appeared, was meant to shame the doctor for refusing care.
Instead, he drew the collective ire of doctors, medical practitioners, and even non-medical persons.
Tulfo responded to his critics saying that when they got to the PGH ER, it was in a wet market-like state, with patients lying unattended on the floor. He also said that he originally meant to record only the child for legal reference, the doctor being videotaped only after refusing care. Tulfo further added that the doctors and staff of the ER seemed blunt to their surroundings.
Tulfo’s actions were deplorable.
He made an ER – an already very stressful environment – an even more stressful one. He was verbally abusive towards the doctor and staff, insisting they disregard protocol so that the girl he brought be treated ahead of others who may have needed more urgent care. He videotaped staff and patients without permission, and refused to stop when asked.
He claimed that he was acting for the child run-over’s welfare, but not once did he ask for permission from the child’s – a minor’s – mother whether videotaping was fine. Even more than that, he uploaded the video for public viewing, without the face of the child being censored, in violation of both local and international broadcasting guidelines.
He apologised for his outburst, but refuses to apologise to Dr. Guerrero and the PGH, saying that he made his point clear – that he was concerned for the child. He also refuses to take down the initial video, claiming that it can be a future point of discussion. His reasoning in the former has no merit. His reasoning in the latter partly does. However, a compromise must be made – one cannot simply disregard the rights of a person for academic discussion; ethics must still be observed.
All things considered, he seems to want to portray himself as a man doing good – a hero. In reality, all he has accomplished is to display an inflated sense of ego and self-righteousness.
In the end, he not only harmed the PGH and its staff, but also the journalistic institution as a whole.
His actions show an abuse of the title of journalist. They portray a kind of righteous journalism which the institution does not need right now, especially with so many people – politicians even – casting doubts on it.
Terrible is this attempt to mask his foul deed and tongue with the mantles of journalism and concern. It takes a profession meant to empower people with knowledge, and turns such into a sheep-cloak for Tulfo’s injurious attempt to get special treatment.
No journalist should ever stoop to this level.//by Craig Aquino
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