A long time ago I head this story during a serman at a mass at Mount Carmel in New Manila. Once upon a time in a village two sheep stealers were caught, As punishment the two men were branded with the letter S on their forehead. You see this was a time when such things were done. Eventually they were set free and both changed for the better. The first reformed thief left the village while the second reformed thief stayed on. Now the first reformeed thief lived to travel all his life and everyhere he went he had to answer questions why he has the letter S branded on his face. As for the second reformed thief in time the village forgot and forgive him of his crime and because of his reformed ways the S on his forehead began to take on a new meaning, the village folk began telling friends, kin and strangers that the S stood
for Saint.
Here is another story true one. Several years a famous actor was caught with a prostitute in a compromising position. The news spread like fire all over town and the world. The scandal threatened to destroy the career of the actor. Until he did something, he apologized contritely for his actions in public and before the media. He was able to save his career.
You also might have recently watched Colin Firth’s excellent performance in the King’s Speech. There was a scene there where the aging King George was talking to the future King George Colin Firth’s character how the new technology of that time radio was changing how the Royals function. It was no longer adequate for the Royals to look prim and proper in public. This new technology brought the Royals to the homes of their subjects. The Old King remarked that they had been reduced to actors. Anyway this is an excellent film that is worth watching.
Anyway. Why tell these three stories ?
In recent days we have probably seen and witness the problems faced by the TV station and its game/variety show. The field of contention was the Internet and Media – in particular Twitter. When the problem surfaced the issue and disposition of the local Internet community – which basically has the sensibility of the educated, middle class and upper class – naturally led it to criticize the act and call for action. The adviser and managers of the TV station should have taken this into consideration and mapped out a strategy to survive this episode.
And here we go back to the first three stories. The Internet like Radio has affected how people and organizations project their reputation. Internet Technology has enabled us to project things faster and wider. And it also those with access to Internet Technology to interact faster. But despite the advancement we are experiencing one thing is constant any thing that comes out of the Internet is due to the people behind the computer, notebook, netbook, tablet and smartphone.
The adviser and managers of the TV station should have accounted for the nature of twitter, the mood and opinion of its community, the reputation of their talent, and the sensitivity of the issue. Negative publicity is negative publicity more so if it involves an animal, a child or a mother.
Perhaps they, the handlers of the station, should have taken some lesson from what their big boss Manny Velez Panglinan did when he was confronted with the issue of plagiarism.
Take note of what is being said but not take it personally.
In a Piranha infested river , alligators do backstroke – A Brazilian Saying, – Taken from Jacot de Boinod’s Toujours Tingo: More Extraordinary Words To Change The Way We See the World
Those who have butter under there head should not run around
under the sun – A Dutch Saying, – Taken from Jacot de Boinod’s Toujours Tingo: More Extraordinary Words To Change The Way We See the World
Issue a personal and contrite apology and act on the complaint to the satisfaction of the community.
Ask me what is the greatest thing in the world. I will reply it is people, it is people, It is people! – - Taken from Jacot de Boinod’s Toujours Tingo: More Extraordinary Words To Change The Way We See the World
