THE TV DEMOCRACY

TV has usurped the role of government as protector of the people and articulator of the popular will. When someone has a complaint, she doesn't go to the government. She goes to the TV news shows, which can grill the head of the agency concerned before millions of viewers. Is it any wonder that a former news anchor is now vice president? In the American presidential election, the real issue behind the screen was: which candidate would you rather have as a guest in your home? Well, TV is in your home 24/7. It's only a matter of time before actors step out from the tube and into office.

ZAFRA IS AN AUTHOR, JOURNALIST AND FORMER MANILA TELEVISION TALK-SHOW HOST. SHE HAS NO PLANS TO RUN FOR OFFICE, YET.

© 2004