Newsbreak Chats: Killings during a pandemic, lies, misogyny after disasters

The issues of killings, disasters, and anti-dissent actions have not stopped even as a raging coronavirus pandemic continues to threaten Filipinos.

In early November, 27-year-old Vincent Adia was killed inside a hospital room after surviving 3 bullets in the head in Angono, Rizal. (READ: [EXCLUSIVE] Last words of hospital ‘EJK’ victim: ‘The police are about to kill me’)

The government has remained relentless in its crackdown on dissent, compounded by the threats posed by the anti-terror law.

At the same time, Typhoon Ulysses highlighted once again the unpreparedness of government and triggered a slew of misogynistic attacks by President Rodrigo Duterte against Vice President Leni Robredo. All she did was respond in a timely manner to the needs of typhoon victims. (READ: For Robredo, disaster response elicits compassion; for Duterte, it’s competition)

In such a landscape, what role should the media play? And what should lawyers, who have sworn to uphold the law, do when rights are being trampled on?

On Thursday, November 26, the Newsbreak team will discuss these issues that plague the country and even touch on challenges that Filipino journalists grapple with when they cover a controversial president during a pandemic.

The discussion with multimedia reporters Rambo Talabong, Lian Buan, and Mara Cepeda will be moderated by managing editor Chay Hofileña.

Join us on Thursday afternoon for the discussion. Let us know in the comments below or tag us on Twitter (@newsbreakph) if you have any questions! – Rappler.com