Starving writers working for free food?

Always, they feed us at theater press cons and exhibit openings. Often, they supply ready made articles called press releases. Sometimes, they giveaway boxes of cookies to encourage journalists to stay until the press con ends. But never have I personally experienced anyone doling out money on these events. 

Do free meals, press passes and gifts compromise our objectivity as reporters? Are the events, performances and exhibits that see print not necessarily the best ones, but simply the ones with the best PR, the kind that lavishes writers food and gifts? 

Some of the most vibrant exhibits I’ve seen are in hole-in-the-wall galleries such UFO, Penguin and Theo. Some of the most exhilarating performances I’ve witnessed are by little-know groups such as the Bitaw spoken-word troupe and The Dancing Wounded. All of them neither invite the media nor provide press kits with all the vital information. I can’t blame them. 

“We stopped inviting the press. No one ever came,” remarks Norberto Roldan, proprietor of Green Papaya. Some come to conclude that no free food equates to no press coverage. 

It is hard writing any sort of criticism about the current cultural scene; things are so desperate for local artists, any negative reportage is like kicking a man already down and out. But cultural reportage is harder still when artists make no effort to inform the media what they are about. 

Some argue that no one can claim to be a “critic” in any field unless one pays for one’s own tickets and comes anonymously—no special treatments. But such an approach deprives one of inside information. Any audience can see for themselves, but only the reporter reveals to his public the context, insight and anecdotes privy to the press. 

Newspaper journalism in the Philippines often pays peanuts. Newspaper journalists always lack time, busy as they are writing for daily publications. Unless a PR firm, government agency or institution pays for travel, the media organizations can ill afford to send reporters to distant events. And unless artists provide complete press kits regarding their work, harried journalists naturally favor those that provide biographies, synopsis, thesis and good photographs. 

Many worthy exhibits and performance, despite excellent PR work, fail to get press coverage from reporters with conflicting schedules. Some story ideas, despite the lobbying of reporters, fail to see print as editors have precious little space to spare on their often-crowded pages. 

Perseverance in work that hardly pays proves a journalist’s worth. Many do it for love rather than compensation or convenience. But anyone abusing such love is mean. 

In the Life & Times section, free food and giveaways do not obligate us to write on performances or exhibits that later reveal themselves to be lacking newsworthiness. Unless deserving of compliments, we simply state the facts. Exceptionally distasteful works oblige us to warn the public. Press releases take a backseat to freshly written features. When press releases do see print, they are stripped of self-serving superlatives and endorsements. 

The starving writer appreciates free food. But he loves true artistry even more.