Some lessons about govt and the press

A FOUL wind is blowing against the incoming Duterte regime and threatens to become a super storm, all because of careless speech.  What first appeared as a passing tempest involving local journalists now seems to have become an international cause celebre involving no less than the United Nations Secretary General and the world press.

At the UN Correspondents’ Association reception in New York City last Thursday, Sec-Gen. Ban Ki-moon condemned President-elect Duterte’s statement that “just because you’re a  journalist, you’re not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch.”  Duterte has not taken part in the killing of any journalist, but the current rhetorical fire on that subject could not have been more inflamed if he had.