MAGNA Media International, the independent consulting firm that handles media operations and facilities including credential plans of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III, is said to be biased against members of the Filipino press.
The observation came after a sports journalist of the Manila Standard Today was refused to be given media credentials for the Saturday boxing event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Robbie Pangilinan, official media representative of the said publication to the awaited boxing match, received a letter of regrets from Magna Media president himself, saying that after reviewing the various media applications for this event, they are unable to accommodate his request and will not provide him a credential.
Manila Standard Today’s Sports Editor Riera Mallari, who endorsed Pangilinan for accreditation, also received an email from Olson stating, “We must remember that credentials to attend a ticketed sports event are a privilege and not a right – and in this case, we were not able to extend to your colleague the privileges offered to other journalists.”
Olson reiterated that the evaluations may have been based upon circulation or broadcast market size, frequency of boxing stories, website rankings or updated content, or other considerations including the possibly late timing of the request or failure to provide the required submission of sample boxing coverage or the required assignment letter. All of the requirements were dutifully followed and submitted by both Pangilinan and Mallari.
Instead, Magna Media gave accreditation to Hermie Rivera, Manila Standard columnist now based in the USA. Rivera was not endorsed by Mallari or the newspaper, but may have submitted requirements ahead of Pangilinan.
The same happened before the Pacquiao-Mosley fight last May when Rivera got accreditation that was supposed to be for Pangilinan. Rivera is covering the fight on a personal status and does not represent any publication, including Manila Standard Today.
Pangilinan expressed disappointment over the screening process, since Rivera is not an official representative of the mentioned newspaper but received accreditation anyway.
“The legitimate journalists are the ones whose media credentials are not approved, while the others are having a field day, enjoying the privileges of the press,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan has already expressed several concerns in a letter addressed to Olson last May where he pointed out that many of the viewers with him introduced themselves as members of the press even if they are not, to watch the fight for free. Pangilinan alleged that these people sometimes even get better seats and receive the perks that should have been given to the real sports writers, reporters and editors.*
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