This post is dedicated to these three 'must see' films. The Quiz Show (1994), Shattered Glass, and Jay. This films have one thing subject in common, it is to present ethical issues made by the media.
The Quiz Show
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"...I thought we were gonna get television, but the truth is, television's gonna get us..." -Richard Goodwin (The Quiz Show 1994)
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Dan Enright: "Yes, we did one thing wrong, we went too successful, those  advertising dollars came from somewhere why do you think the magazines and newspapers are making such a big thing about this?..." 

Freedman: "Well sir, I don't know what else to say, give the public what they want, it's like business, it's not like the quiz show is a public utility, it's entertainment, it's not like we're hardened criminals here, we're in show business..." 

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Shattered Glass
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for more info on Shattered Glass log on to: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323944/
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"You have to know who you're writing for, and you have to know where you're good at. I record what people do, find out what moves them, what scares them, and I write that down, that way they're the ones that tells the story, and you know what?  those kinds of pieces win Pulitzers' too..." Stephen Glass (Shattered Glass)

If I were Stephen, if he really was a good journalist? I would personally know how unethical it is to possibly even make this mistake. Fabrication is a big "NO" in journalism. It's a source of FACTUAL INFORMATION. He seemed Psychotic in the movie. Anyway, the process of checking the facts wasn't thorough. Maybe because the staff seems to trust Stephen that much. Besides, out of 41 articles published he did have 14 'real' articles, which may have proved his credibility as a Journalist at some point. But even the smartest has its flaws, it just differs from circumstances. To be a Journalist he/she must abide by the rules and conduct proper writing. Its not enough for Stephen to memorize the Code of ethics, I think he needs to print and frame it.  He thought of too much 'entertainment' because he probably thought it would help "The New Republic" to gain more audience, and of course his followers. Well, he's young, his bosses claims, guess, he has the right to make his mistakes, and get back on track, which he did eventually.

Stephen Glass: There's so many show offs in Journalism, so many braggers and jerks, there always selling, always working in the room, always trying to make themselves look hotter than they already are. The good news is, reporters like that make it easy to distinguish yourself. If you're even a little bit humble, a little self a facing or solicidist, you stand out. So you bring a co-workers lunch when she's buried in her deadline, you remember birthdays. It's true Journalism is hard work, everybody's under pressure, everybody's grinding to get the issue out, nobody's getting any sleep, but you are allowed to smile every once in a while. I mean one word in Bernstine went out for burger now and then, and they will appeal to. Some reporter thinks it's political content that makes their story memorable, I think it's the people you find, their querks, flaws, what makes them funny, human, Journalism is just the art of capturing behavior..."

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 JAY (2008) by Francis Pasion
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for more info on this film "Jay" log on to: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1244571/
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There goes the television acting. I still can't believe the re-enactment of those dramatically shot scenes. But I guess Jay (Baron Geisler) was just following orders from his Producer to make a better shot/scene, to create more audience. But really, if I were to cover this kind of story? I would have hired actors to do an re-enactment or such, I should have stuck to the original shots, so it will give a sense of reality. Actually, come to think of it, it's a challenge of how you as a journalist can show "reality in reality". The ethical issue of honesty. How far can you act on something that is not acted?
Grabe! hirap i-explain! nosebleed na ko! Basta! dito sa palabas na to, pinapakita kung pano nagiging peke ang totoong pangyayare, na tolerated by media (kuno).
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How far can you go for something you want, have to do? Charlie, Stephen, and Jay, all three had a choice between right and wrong, but they shouldn't have made a 'choice' in fact, they don't need choices, everyone should do what's right. BUT, I guess, you can't really figure out what's right if you don't make something wrong...
posted on: Ianebook, Rose Writes, and Media|Sanity

Cinemalaya was introduced to me during it's sixth year and the sense of this festival was still a blur to me. I quite comprehended that this event was organized to advocate for Independent films. But you see my perspective of Independent cinema was raw that time. I used to see Indies as boring, and mature films. My expectations did not fail me. Then again, it's not only my expectations that plays around my head. I also have some knowledge on how to read a film, thanks to our subjects and Professors, Film Appreciation (Jonathan Rondina) and Writing for Mass Media (Dennis Marasigan) respectively. Cinemalaya starts by July which means the semester has just begun, and my respective Professors still have yet to teach us more about Film, and Writing. So you can understand why my reaction was that broad (see the video below).


for more Cinemalaya 2010 V-Logs log on to http://twittee.wordpress.com/

So yeah, I gave Indie a try, on the following year, Cinemalaya 2011, I came from a very different approach unlike the first time. Shortly after the 6th Cinemalaya film festival, actually, month of Feb. 2011, I joined the 1st Halo Halo festival, where in we participants must submit a 7mins. short film of any topic to be exhibited on the day of the event. So, fortunately mine got in, its really amateur, nothing to brag about, but at least I did it.
Peronally, I like the trailer more, but here goes my first amateur short film. Bare with me on this, the production itself was a one man/woman show.


Moving on, I was motivated to watch all the entries and know the Directors of this 'art films'. Yes, you read right! I said "ART" films... Now my perspective is more informed. Since I was teased to submit a short film script by our professor to Cinemalaya, I've been bothered by it yet again until recently when I saw my professor again at Cinamalaya. Straight to the point, he told me "ipasa mo na yung script mo, gawin na natin yan..." and I thought he forgot about it, I mean, I forgot about it. I've asked a few of my friends on this, if I should, and they affirmed. What's wrong if I submit it? right? I guess I never got contented with the thought that "I should submit it..." and hope for it to pass etc. Maybe the reason why I keep coming back to Cinemalaya, is to continue to discover what it is, and what it serves for. Especially the subject of Indie films. I've started talking to various Directors in last year's 7th Cinemalaya, and because of that, I learn little by little, not to mention being given tons of perks whether introduced to actors/actresses, or invited to movie premieres, slowly I learn things far beyond what the four walls of education can give. So for me, Cinemalaya has contributed a lot for communication students/film enthusiasts like me and eight years still are not enough to define what it is about, because it continues to change each year, developing, transforming, for something more far than it has gotten.

Eventually, I've grown tired of Cinemalaya, don't take it the wrong way though, tired in a physical way. I've been running around to there and there, continuing my personal research on films, continuing to develop bonds with the Directors, learning from every film, acknowledging them film makers, trying to develop a kin sense, critical viewing of these films. Everyday feels like "wow" to men that's why sometimes I feel like I want to explode especially whenever I get home 12 midnight because of 9pm film which got delayed for some reason, isn't that tiring?!
I still go by the saying of "Slowly but surely, whatever goal you want to achieve, and no matter how rough the road you travel may be, you'll eventually get there..."

FOR A BETTER READ, CLICK HERE TO MIRROR SITE

The objectives of this Independent Film Congress is as follows:

• to define the characteristics (a.k.a alternatives) and mainstream film making, and clarify the relations between them.
• to see how indie and mainstream film making can benefit from each other of at all; and
• to establish how each can contribute to the development of Philippine Cinema, either together or independently of each other.

On the first day, July 24, Sir Raul Sunico Ph.D. the President of Cultural Center of the Philippines stated his welcome remarks, and followed by Congress Director Nicanor Tiongson Ph.D. for the presentation of congress program and objectives (as you can read above). The keynote address was held by film maker and scholar Mr. Clodualdo "Doy" Del Mundo Ph.D. Some of his statements included the following:

• The 1960's cheap film producing which was the "dead film era" in the Philippines.
• Mike de Leon's "Itim" and "Maynila" films.
• Gerardo de Leon and Lamberto Avellana's "G" films.
• Lino Brocka "do good story telling, three dimensional, make socially involved films..."
• 1970's Sine Manila Film Festival
• Commercialism still prevailed in the 1970's (e.g. the number of Nora Aunor (20) and Vilma Santos (22) films). Therefore the 1970's  did not improve because of commercialism and the informal production of films
• However, the 1980's New Wave Films subsided
• Ishmael Bernal slowdown in film making
• Only Lino Brocka made his films until he died 1990's, the new wave ended.
• compromised 90's films are even more commercialized history of footnotes, did not develop that much
• the advent of new technologies (New wave, New Millenium)
• Ditsi Carolino Documentaries
• Cinemalaya started 2005, and phenomenal Independent films prevailed
• Distinction from Mainstream and Indie: Mainstream (Generic, Commercialized, dictated by corporations, genre movies, in studio production) Independent or Alternative, (1)takes risks, (2)anything that the mainstream is not, (3)not generic, (4)can be as short or as long, (5)independent from something mainstream, (6)commercial system is not needed, (7)how to market films and build audience.
• "Build great audience, before great film" by Lino Brocka
• (1) Appropriation then (2) Re-Invention (more exciiting, coming&changing)
• Mainstream hopefully would see wisdom to give freedom to new film makers
• Mainstream and Indie will remain separate. This is how should be.

The first panel included the following persons:



from UP Film Institute
 Moderator: Patrick Campos
.."Bigyan ng matalinong pelikula ang Pilipino"

translation: "Give Filipinos 'smart' films"


Speakers:


recent films produced for Cinemalaya are "Amok" (2011) and "Posas" (2012).

 Lawrence Fajardo

....."Gagawin ko yung pelikulang para sa akin ay   gusto ko..."

trans: "I make films the way I wanted it.."


film mixer and film sound recordist

Mike Idioma

•  "we don't go for mediocrity, if you do film you have to do it with standards.."
• "going to mainstream, you have money, Indie goes for socially relevant/educational films."

journalist, and educator.

Lito Zulueta

• "Alternative films have spirit, freedom, and independence..."
• "for me indie is educational, and an advocacy"
• "film makers should guard themselves from commercialism.."
• it's healthy to maintain terms & definitions for distinguishing the mainstream & independent films which give advocacy/freedom..."

Philippine Star, Free Press, and Twitch correspondent

Oggs Cruz

> "audience are catered from what they comprehend"

> "there are good films made from indie but they are limited to the acknowledgement they desire... we are creating a poor unhealthy cinema..."



Award winning mainstream Director

• "in mainstream, you agree with the rules of the film, may pananagutan ka parin..."
•  "television acting ruins an actor, because they are required to act 'acting'..."
• "Break the film grammar, then make a new film language/grammar..."
• "the term 'Indie' has been misused & abused during the past time... misbranded as (1) kabaklaan, (2) mahirap intindihin..."
• "In mainstream, inaassume nila na 'bobo' and tao/audience.. there are also creatives who intervene in making films in mainstream, sa indie, wala, kung ano naiisip mo as film maker it happens..."

Theater and Film Actress
Shamaine Buencamino

• "it's different if you act in camera, it's scenes are not continues, you need to cut, retake, etc. when you're on stage you project your emotions, but in camera you don't show that much you hide it a little bit, mainly the camera shows it for the audience (camera angles, etc.)"
•  "to be an actor/actress in mainstream, i think you basically need marketable ability, and fan base..."
• " most of the Indie film makers love the art of film making..."

Producer of Here Comes the Bride and Ang Babae sa Septic Tank
Joji Alonso

•  "more actors are valued in Independent films.."
• "I have been very fortunate, I treat all my films like my baby, I'm so involved in it..."

Actress
Glaiza de Castro

• "in mainstream, were given typical 'tested' roles, supporting roles, I was given a different role with Indie where in I had the chance to explore more with my acting skills..."
• "in Indie, it's not T.V. acting, the hardest acting is not acting..."
• "bilang artista, gumagawa kayo ng karakter on your own, not just the one based on the script.."
• "indie is getting exploited by large corporations that make a Digital film subsidiary from the parent prod. company and produces cheap films and making it 'indie'..."

For Panel 3, they tackled the second objective where you defy how Indie, and Mainstream can benefit from each other. 

Moderator: Mario Hernando, Film Critic and Journalist

Speakers:

Teng Mangansakan III, Moro film maker

Tammy Dinopol, Star Cinema's Creative Department for more than 10 years.

•  "mainstreams are based on consumption..."
• "i have learned to 'live and let live'..."

Diwa de Leon, professional composer, arranger, all-around musician.

• "(1) money, (2) audience pace, largely dictates what films to make"
• "sometimes, audience doesn't know what they want until you give it to them", Steve Jobs.
• "audience are hungry for more..."
• "Directors are the boss in Indies.."

Executive Producer of Regal Entertainment Inc.
Roselle Monteverde

• "Indie has immersed new film makers and talents..."
• "one cannot do without the other..."

Film/Commercial Director, Writer, Producer
Chris Martinez

• "mainstream and indie are friends and allies... my enemies are hollywood films.."

I found this post on tumblr,

Manipulate Other National Tragedies in Your FavorBP oil spill? Check. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords? Check. What other devastating national tragedies from the past two years can you cherry pick to emotionally manipulate storylines and exploit in order to make up for poor writing?

Read more: Newsroom: How to Make It Even Worse 

•  The Newsroom's writer Aaron Sorkin is also the writer for the Academy Award winning The Social Network. This is said to be his comeback for Television writing. (Awesome!!)