Networks passing off rumor as news

For those of us who love sports with unbridled passion and shed tears over the sad state into which sports has fallen in our country because of uncaring and vengeful sports leaders, solace comes in individuals who shine like a beacon in the darkness.
One such individual is the esteemed businessman Manny Pangilinan, who has done more than many others have done collectively for sports. He also has contributed to youth development, enhancing discipline and the values of fair play and sportsmanship, which are essential in reinforcing the character of a nation.
Mr. Pangilinan—Boss MVP to those who know him well and have a great deal of affection for the man—is someone steeped in the glowing tradition of a genuine Blue Eagle: A man for others.
MVP has indeed broadened that concept by being a man not just for others but for also for his country, which he sees as one with unbounded potential that has, regrettably at times, been dissipated by the cancer of corruption and an excess of partisan, selfish politics.
Without even having the privilege of asking him, we sense that MVP believes in using sports as a vehicle to channel productive energies into the larger arena of national life by developing men and women with character and decency. This should guarantee that our nation moves forward with competitive purpose rather than stagnate with a lack of spirit, commitment and vision.
Fortunately for us, there is a gentleman like Pangilinan who has a sincere dedication to service. Regrettably, there are hardly any others fashioned in the same mold.
Hopefully, the vision he has and the inspiration he provides will stoke a fire in other similarly situated gentlemen so that they step forward and help salvage Philippine sports and in a broader context national society from its sorry state.
MVP celebrated his birthday yesterday and we offer a little prayer that he enjoy good health, peace and continued success in his many endeavors in business and in sports, that he will not tire in his pursuit of elevating Philippine sports to another level despite the odds, and will continue to strive to help our nation take its rightful place among the leaders of Asia.
Thank you Mr. Pangilinan for all that you have done and continue to do for Philippine sports and our country. But most of all thank you for being the kind of human being you are which is in itself a truly refreshing change from the ordinary and a testament that there are still many good and decent men in our midst who provide genuine hope for the future and serve as an inspiration for us all.
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We are distressed at the manner in which the TV networks handled the rumor concerning the Azkals. We have consistently taken a stand against the penchant to pass off show biz gossip as news and the almost total absence of a sports segment in the major newscasts.
What is even worse—and we are not prudes—is to see female show biz hosts parade in mini skirts or shorts as though to entice the viewers—a stark contrast to the dignified appearance of the news anchors.
The unverified, unsubstantiated rumor about the alleged sex scandal involving four members of the Philippine National football team peddled by a discredited, disgruntled German was played up by television, each network delving into the rumor—not story—with varying intensity. They were probably concerned that if one didn’t run the story they would be “scooped” by the others.
So what? Decency and prudence and a concern for the good name of our national players should have overridden any concerns of being left behind.
To us, the one simple question that needs to be answered is, when did a rumor classify as news?