Princess Snell's Rape Joke on Social Media Backfires

Starlet Natalie Hart or popular known as “Princess Snell” recently became a trending topic on Twitter and Facebook because of her controversial post on Instagram. This was not received by the netizens as a joke.

           Hart apologized after and posted her apology on Twitter saying, “I do not promote nor support that behavior! I'm against domestic violence and rape! It was a bad joke and I'm extremely sorry.”  As someone who is popular and followed by many in social media, she should be responsible for everything that she posts. Rape is a very sensitive topic just like suicide; it should never be glamorized or worse, made into a joke. She probably acted on her right to speak freely whatever she wants, but freedom of speech does not equate to irresponsible speech.

          In this light, author David Gordon in his book Controversies in Media Ethics, provided a model in evaluating ethical communication in Media:

1. Consider the purpose of a particular expression to understand intentions and motivations.

Why is someone saying this? Why might they be feeling this way? What thinking

might be behind this expressive action?

2. Examine the platform of an expression to become aware of the potential audience for,

as well as the form of, the expression. Who is likely to view, hear or read this expression?

Will the form keep the expression among a few individuals or will it be conveyed

around the world?

3. Review practices to comprehend the process of creating the message form and its

content. How was this expression determined? Is there a more responsible way to

express this message and convey it to those who need to hear it?

4. Envision potentials to focus attention on possible or probable effects or consequences

of conveying an expression. What might happen if I say this? Will it hurt or help

someone? Is the hurt justified because it will help others? To what extent will this

message harm someone and is it worth the harm?

          I feel that this model should exactly solve dilemmas before posting something on social media. This is also useful for news reporters to guide them before giving personal opinions or commentaries.

Even if Hart a.k.a. Princess Snell made her apology, she should still get a lesson on responsible freedom of expression. An apology is never an excuse for not being apprehended or sanctioned on an action which can greatly impact a group of people, on her case, the people who are victims of rape.

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2 blogs in 1: Korina Sanchez and Her Irresponsible Comment

Recently, Typhoon Ruby struck Visayas. During the time it was approaching Philippines, it got stronger and stronger until it became a Super typhoon and is feared to bring the same power and destruction like Super Typhoon Yolanda. During one episode of TV Patrol, its main anchors, Ted Failon, Noli De Castro and Korina Sanchez were doing their usual banter at the tail-end of the newscast when Sanchez and de Castro made side comments and shared their opinions live on the air.

Sanchez said, “Kaya pa natin idasal yan para lumihis." (We can still pray to change its direction.)

De Castro then commented, “Sana ay hati na lang tayo." (I wish we could split the storm) “Kalahati sa Pilipinas, kalahati sa Japan (Half of it for the Philippines, half for Japan),” De Castro said, to which Sanchez replied, “Puwede bang sa kanila na lang lahat?" (Can’t they have all of it?)

De Castro then said “Wag naman” hopefully not, but Korina defended her stand, saying “Sa kanila na lang lahat. Parang mas kaya nila." (Let them have it all. It seems that they can handle it better).

Korina’s remarks have caused an uproar in social media, calling her insensitive and irresponsible. I understand the fact that she is only concerned for her people, like praying for the typhoon to change its direction but the fact that she involved Japan on her comments can be considered as an ethical lapse. Keep in mind that she is one of the top broadcasters in the country and she is one of ABS-CBN’s most famous news anchors. Her opinions matter and it can easily influence a lot of people.

Korina Sanchez is known for many unethical comments on air. I believe it is time for her to change this kind of attitude. In my opinion, there is no problem in making side comments of subjects on air as long as they are neutral and not subjective because these side comments can also be helpful like presenting facts from the other side that the viewers don’t know. Besides, they are the people with the most experience and they are credible enough to handle these kinds of stories and information but I really believe that a media personality should value neutrality in giving comments. Your goal is to inform and educated the public and not to persuade them. Maybe it is time for Sanchez to listen carefully to herself before she opens her mouth. She needs to think twice about what she’s going to say especially when she is live during national television or via radio and the internet. 

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ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez became viral on social media again for her controversial comments on Typhoon Ruby. This is the second time in recent Philippine TV memory that this veteran news anchor made headlines; the first was when she commented on-air about CNN journalist Anderson Cooper during the Typhoon Yolanda. This time, Korina, along with her two co-anchors, was about to end the their on-air program TV Patrol when she said that she hoped Typhoon Ruby would hit Japan instead of the Philippines. Her comment drew anger from netizens. A satirical website The Adobo Chronicles even made satire news about Japan banning Korina from their country. Why do media still tolerate such irresponsible news commentaries?

According to KBP Broadcast Code, Article 2. Section 2, “public affair programs and commentaries shall be handled only by persons who have thorough knowledge and practice broadcast ethics.” Given this ethical standard in broadcasting, Korina Sanchez is guilty of a broadcaster who does not practice broadcast ethics. Korina probably was motivated by her freedom of speech to express her opinion regarding her hope for Typhoon Ruby to hit Japan instead; it is still an act of irresponsible reporting. KBP preamble posits, “broadcasting, because of its immediate and lasting impact on the public, demands of its practitioners a high sense of responsibility, morality, fairness and honesty at all times.”

This is not the first time Korina made rude or harsh commentaries. Since she is a prominent figure in broadcasting, it is important that she gets another briefing about the ethical broadcasting standards.

(2009-25438)