(This article is in our opinion only and based on facts that we have compiled. Any allegations and opinions put forward have not been proven in any court of law.)

OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE REYFORT MEDIA GROUP’S PRINCIPLES AND ETHICS

After Rey Fortaleza included Luisa Marshall in his Bomba News issue in his newspaper and on the Fortaleza’s Facebook walls, we wanted to know if how they operate the Reyfort Media Group’s Newspapers was consistent with Canadian Journalist Standards.

We went to the Canadian Association of Journalists website and read their ethics guidelines. In our opinion Reyfort Media Group does not follow a lot of the important Canada wide guidelines. We will include the info from the CAJ and comment how in our opinion Reyfort Media Group has done within these guidelines.

Below, we have copied the Canadian Associations of Journalists Ethics Guideline from their website (www.caj.ca). In red text we write how we think Reyfort Media Group has failed to comply with the general ethical principles. In our opinion, we think Reyfort Media failed 25 times.

Ethics Guidelines
Canadian Associations of Journalists

Accuracy

• We are disciplined in our efforts to verify all facts. Accuracy is the moral imperative of journalists and news organizations, and should not be compromised, even by pressing deadlines of the 24-hour news cycle.

FAIL #1: In the case of Rey Fortaleza writing his front page news article BUSTED BOMBA NEWS he included 4 people that he never even attempted to contact to find out if the things he wrote about them are correct. Link to BOMBA NEWS site Click Here. 

• We make every effort to verify the identities and backgrounds of our sources.

FAIL #2: Rey and Araceli Fortaleza allowed an anonymous un-named person named Konsensyang Pinoy to attack Steve and Luisa Marshall on their Facebook wall. This nameless person is a “source” of information that makes libelous remarks on their Facebook walls which Rey and Araceli Fortaleza “liked” and/or “approved.” Link to Konsensyang Pinoy Facebook Click Here.

• We seek documentation to support the reliability of those sources and their stories, and we are careful to distinguish between assertions and fact. The onus is on us to verify all information, even when it emerges on deadline.

FAIL #3: Rey Fortaleza does not appear to distinguish between assertions and fact in his BUSTED BOMBA NEWS article and especially Araceli’s Facebook wall with Konsensyang Pinoy.

• We make sure to retain the original context of all quotations or clips, striving to convey the original tone. Our reporting and editing will not change the meaning of a statement or exclude important qualifiers. There is no copyright on news or ideas once a story is in the public domain, but if we can’t match the story, we credit the originating source.
• While news and ideas are there for the taking, the words used to convey them are not. If we borrow a story or even a paragraph from another source we either credit the source or rewrite it before publication or broadcast. Using another’s analysis or interpretation may constitute plagiarism, even if the words are rewritten, unless it is attributed.
• When we make a mistake, whether in fact or in context, and regardless of the platform, we correct* it promptly and in a transparent manner, acknowledging the nature of the error.
• We publish or broadcast all corrections, clarifications or apologies in a consistent way.
• We generally do not “unpublish” or remove digital content, despite public requests, or “source remorse.” Rare exceptions generally involve matters of public safety, an egregious error or ethical violation, or legal restrictions** such as publication bans.

Fairness

• We respect the rights of people involved in the news.

FAIL #4: Reyfort did not respect the 4 people in his front page article BUSTED BOMBA NEWS by not asking them to clarify information that he wrote about them. He did not ask them their side of his story. He did not clarify the information he accused them of saying or doing.

• We give people, companies or organizations that are publicly accused or criticized opportunity to respond before we publish those criticisms or accusations. We make a genuine and reasonable effort to contact them, and if they decline to comment, we say so.

FAIL #5: Reyfort did not contact any of the 4 in his BUSTED BOMBA NEWS. Araceli Fortaleza allowed an anonymous supporter (Konsensyang Pinoy) who changed the SIMPLY THE BEST TV show logo into SIMPLY BUSTED and did not contact them at all to find out if they were busted and what their side of the story was. 

• We do not refer to a person’s race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender self-identification or physical ability unless it is pertinent to the story.
• We avoid stereotypes of race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status. And we take particular care in crime stories.
• We take special care when reporting on children or those who are otherwise unable to give consent to be interviewed. While some minors, such as athletes, may be used to being interviewed, others might have little understanding of the implications of talking to the media. So when unsure, or when dealing with particularly sensitive subjects, we err on the side of seeking parental consent. Likewise, we take special care when using any material posted to social media by minors, as they may not understand the public nature of their postings.
• We do not allow our own biases to impede fair and accurate reporting.

FAIL #6: The whole BUSTED BOMBA NEWS article is completely a personal matter so it should not have been written by Rey Fortaleza, the publisher. Rey is completely bias and did not do fair and accurate reporting on this subject.

• We respect each person’s right to a fair trial.
• We do not pay for information, although we may compensate those who provide material such as photos or videos. We sometimes also employ experts to provide professional expertise, and pay for embedded activities. We are careful to note any such payments in our stories. (See TRANSPARENCY, below).
• It is becoming common to be asked for payments in foreign countries, whether it’s for guides, to make connections, or to help a source travel to meet reporters. But it’s important to question the subject’s motives in such cases, and to be transparent in telling audiences what occurred (See TRANSPARENCY, below).

Right To Privacy

• The public has a right to know about its institutions and the people who are elected or hired to serve its interests. People also have a right to privacy, and those accused of crimes have a right to a fair trial.
• However, there are inevitable conflicts between the right to privacy, and the rights of all citizens to be informed about matters of public interest. Each situation should be judged in light of common sense, humanity and relevance.
• We do not manipulate people who are thrust into the spotlight because they are victims of crime or are associated with a tragedy. Nor do we do voyeuristic stories about them. When we contact them, we are sensitive to their situations, and report only information in which the public has a legitimate interest.
• Journalists are increasingly using social networking sites to access information about people and organizations. When individuals post and publish information about themselves on these sites, this information generally becomes public, and can be used. However, journalists should not use subterfuge to gain access to information intended to be private. In addition, even when such information is public, we must rigorously apply ethical considerations including independent confirmation and transparency in identifying the source of information. (See DIGITAL MEDIA, below.)

Independence

• We serve democracy and the public interest by reporting the truth. This sometimes conflicts with various public and private interests, including those of sources, governments, advertisers and, on occasion, with our duty and obligation to an employer.

FAIL #7: Rey Fortaleza did not, in our opinion, report the truth in BUSTED BOMBA NEWS. 

• Defending the public’s interest includes promoting the free flow of information, exposing crime or wrongdoing, protecting public health and safety, and preventing the public from being misled.

FAIL #8 Reyfort does not properly expose crime or wrongdoing such as in the case of the Juatco Family as reported in the Province. Instead of Reyfort Media Group doing a proper balanced report on all the Juatco family issues by interviewing them and all their alleged victims, Rey ignored it for the most part. Rey only allowed a small writeup in his paper that was lightly only used as an example of the Juatco’s along with Mayor Ford in Toronto and the previous Filipino Con Gen of BC. Also Reyfort did not report on the questions raised by Bert Morelos on the alleged inconsistencies in Jojo Quimpo’s qualifications. This is a very important story that Rey ignored, likely because he is a self admitted Conservative member.

• We do not give favoured treatment to advertisers and special interests. We resist their efforts to influence the news.

FAIL #9: Rey Fortaleza openly joined the Conservatives then writing a big article on Prime Minister Steven Harper all in one publication was certainly a special interest issue. Rey Fortaleza joins the political party and then reports it in his newspaper then proceeds to do a media friendly interview. Sometime prior the Conservatives gave him one of the 60,000 controversial Diamond Jubilee awards.

• We pay our own way whenever possible. However, not all journalists or organizations have the means to do so. So if another organization pays our expenses to an event that we are writing about we say so, and this includes when covering industries such as travel, automotive, the military and foreign trade (See TRANSPARENCY, below). (There are some generally understood exceptions; for instance, it is common practice to accept reviewers’ tickets for film previews, concerts, lectures and theatrical performances.)
• We do not solicit gifts or favours for personal use, and should promptly return unsolicited gifts of more than nominal value. If it is impractical to return the gift, we will give it to an appropriate charity.
• We do not accept the free or reduced-rate use of valuable goods or services offered because of our position. However, it may be appropriate to use a product for a short time to test or evaluate it. (A common exception is unsolicited books, music, food, or other new products sent for review.)
• We generally do not accept payment for speaking to groups we report on or comment on.
• We do not report about subjects in which we have financial or other interests, and we do not use our positions to obtain business or other advantages not available to the general public.

FAIL #10: Reyfort Fortaleza reported on his newly joined Conservative party which is “other interests”

• We do not show our completed reports to sources – especially official sources – before they are published or broadcast, unless the practice is intended to verify facts. Doing so might invite prior restraint and challenge our independence as reporters.
• We gather information with the intent of producing stories and images for public consumption. We generally do not share unpublished information – such as notes and audio tapes of interviews, documents, emails, digital files, photos and video – with those outside of the media organizations for which we work. However, sometimes such sharing may be necessary to check facts, gain the confidence of sources or solicit more information.
• Columnists and commentators should be free to express their views, even when those views conflict with those of their organizations, as long as the content meets generally accepted journalistic standards for fairness and accuracy.

Conflict of interest

• As fair and impartial observers, we must be free to comment on the activities of any publicly elected body or special interest group. But we cannot do this without an apparent conflict of interest if we are active members of an organization we are covering, and that includes membership through social media.

FAIL #11: Rey joined the Conservatives and wrote in his paper why he joined then he featured Prime Minister Steven Harper on his Living Today magazine in a favourable interview. This is a total conflict of interest.

• We lose our credibility as fair observers if we write opinion pieces about subjects we also cover as reporters.

FAIL #12: Rey Fortaleza covered the Conservatives as a reporter in his interview with Prime Minister Harper then also had his own opinion of why he is joining the Conservative party.

• Editorial boards and columnists or commentators endorse political candidates or political causes. Reporters do not.
• We carefully consider our political activities and community involvements – including those online – and refrain from taking part in demonstrations, signing petitions, doing public relations work, fundraising or making financial contributions if there is a chance we will be covering the campaign, activity or group involved.
• If a journalist does choose to engage in outside political activity or espouse a particular political viewpoint, this activity could create a public perception of bias, or favouritism that would reflect on the journalist’s work. Any journalist who engages in such activities – including running for office – should publicly declare any real or potential conflicts.

FAIL #13: Rey Fortaleza did not publicly declare any real or potential conflicts that we have seen.

• Our private lives online present special challenges. For example, the only way to subscribe to some publications or social networking groups is to become a member. Having a non-journalist subscribe on your behalf would be one solution, as would be joining a wide variety of Facebook groups so you would not be seen as favouring one particular constituency. (See DIGITAL MEDIA, below.)

Transparency

• We generally declare ourselves as journalists and do not conceal our identities, including when seeking information through social media. However, journalists may go undercover when it is in the public interest and the information is not obtainable any other way; in such cases, we openly explain this deception to the audience.
• We normally identify sources of information. But we may use unnamed sources when there is a clear and pressing reason to protect anonymity, the material gained from the confidential source is of strong public interest, and there is no other reasonable way to obtain the information. When this happens, we explain the need for anonymity.
• We avoid pseudonyms, but when their use is essential, and we meet the tests above, we tell our readers, listeners or viewers.
• When we do use unnamed sources, we identify them as accurately as possible by affiliation or status. (For example, a “senior military source” must be both senior and in the military.) Any vested interest or potential bias on the part of a source must be revealed.
• We independently corroborate facts if we get them from a source we do not name.
• We do not allow anonymous sources to take cheap shots at individuals or organizations. (See FAIRNESS, above.)

FAIL #14: Reyfort Media Groups Operations Chief Araceli Fortaleza’s public Facebook wall allowed an anonymous unnamed person called Konsensyang Pinoy to attack Steve and Luisa Marshall at will. This was done while Araceli was promoting their own BUSTED BOMBA NEWS article on her public Facebook page. Even worse, is when Araceli allowed this Konsensyang to attack Bert Morelos in the most personal and distasteful way about his marriage and family. Araceli even “liked” it. This alone shows the character of Araceli and Rey Fortaleza.

• Ø If we borrow material from another source we are careful to credit the original source. (See ACCURACY, above.)
• We admit openly when we have made a mistake, and we make every effort to correct* our errors immediately.
• Ø We disclose to our audiences any biases that could be perceived to influence our reporting.

FAIL #15: Rey neglected to mention that the BOMBA NEWS article is all about his own personal issues and that anything he writes is totally bias (See CONFLICT OF INTEREST, above.)

• Ø We openly tell our audiences when another organization pays our expenses, or conversely, when we have made payments for information.

Promises to sources

• We only promise anonymity when the material is of high public interest and it cannot be obtained any other way. (See TRANSPARENCY, above.) And when we make these promises to sources, we keep them.
• Because we may be ordered by a court** or judicial inquiry to divulge confidential sources upon threat of jail, we must understand what we are promising. These promises – and the lengths we’re willing to go to keep them – should be clearly spelled out as part of our promise. The following phrases, if properly explained, may be helpful:
  • Not for attribution: We may quote statements directly but the source may not be named, although a general description of his or her position may be given (“a government official,” or “a party insider”). In TV, video or radio, the identity may be shielded by changing the voice or appearance.
  • On background: We may use the essence of statements and generally describe the source, but we may not use direct quotes.
  • Off the record: We may not report the information, which can be used solely to help our own understanding or perspective. There is not much point in knowing something if it can’t be reported, so this undertaking should be used sparingly, if at all.
• When we are not willing to go to jail to protect a source, we say so before making the promise. And we make it clear that the deal is off if the source lies or misleads us.

Diversity

• News organizations – including newspapers, websites, magazines, radio and television – provide forums for the free interchange of information and opinion. As such, we seek to include views from all segments of the population.
• We also encourage our organizations to make room for the interests of all: minorities and majorities, those with power and those without it, holders of disparate and conflicting views.
• We avoid stereotypes, and don’t refer to a person’s race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender self-identification orphysical ability unless it is pertinent to the story. (See FAIRNESS, above.)

Accountability

• We are accountable to the public for the fairness and reliability of our reporting.

FAIL #16: We don’t think Rey Fortaleza was fair at all in his reporting. He did not interview the 4 people he included on his BUSTED BOMBA NEWS front page article. He did not confirm his assumptions with anyone.

• We serve the public interest, and put the needs of our audience – readers, listeners or viewers – at the forefront of our newsgathering decisions. 
• We clearly identify news and opinion so that the audience knows which is which.
• We don’t mislead the public by suggesting a reporter is some place that he or she isn’t.
• Photojournalists and videographers do not alter images or sound so that they mislead the public. When we do alter or stage images, we label them clearly (as a photo illustration or a staged video, for example).

FAIL #17: Rey Fortaleza in his article covered up Bert Morelos picture that had 2 “…copyright reserved…” notices on them. The public was misled that this picture was ok and properly obtained the way it was.

• We use care when reporting on medical studies, polls and surveys, and we are especially suspect of studies commissioned by those with a vested interest, such as drug companies, special interest groups or politically sponsored think tanks. We make sure we know the context of the results, such as sample size and population, questions asked, and study sponsors, and we include this information in our reports whenever possible.
• When we make a mistake, we correct* it promptly and transparently, acknowledging the nature of the error. (See ACCURACY, above.)

Digital media: Special Issues

• Ethical practice does not change with the medium. We are bound by the above principles no matter where our stories are published or broadcast.

FAIL #18: Araceli Fortaleza did not follow this ethical practice since she posted the story on her public Facebook wall and allowed the anonymous person to attack Steve and Luisa Marshall.

• We consider all online content carefully, including blogging, and content posted to social media. We do not re-post rumours. (See ACCURACY, above.) 

FAIL #19: Rey did not consider the online content of Konsensyang Pinoy online before allowing it on his or Araceli’s Facebook wall.

FAIL #20 Rey did not clarify if what Konsensyang Pinoy, Roque Juatco Jr and Romeo Torres said was true or not.

• The need for speed should never compromise accuracy, credibility or fairness. Online content should be reported and edited as carefully as print content, and when possible, subjected to full editing.
• We clearly inform sources when stories about them will be published across various media, and we indicate the permanency of digital media.
• When we publish outside links, we make an effort to ensure the sites are credible; in other words, we think before we link.
• When we correct* errors online, we indicate that the content has been altered or updated, and what the original error was. (See ACCURACY, above.)
• So long as the content is accurate, we generally do not “unpublish” or remove digital content, despite public requests to do so, including cases of “source remorse.” Rare exceptions generally involve matters of public safety, an egregious error or ethical violation, or legal restrictions** such as publication bans.
• We try to obtain permission whenever possible to use online photos and videos, and we always credit the source of the material, by naming the author and where the photo or video was previously posted. We use these photos and videos for news and public interest purposes only, and not to serve voyeuristic interests.

FAIL #21: Rey Fortaleza did not try to obtain permission from Bert Morelos for his picture.

FAIL #22: Rey Fortaleza did not try to obtain permission from SIMPLY THE BEST TV for the use of their picture.

FAIL #23: Rey Fortaleza did not credit Bert Morelos for his picture.

FAIL #24 Rey did not credit SIMPLY THE BEST for our picture.

• We encourage the use of social networks as it is one way to make connections, which is part of our core work as journalists. However, we keep in mind that any information gathered through online means must be confirmed, verified and properly sourced.

FAIL #25: Rey Fortaleza gathered info from Facebook about what he assumes people were saying but did not “confirm”, “verify” or “properly source” this information before writing about it.

• Personal online activity, including emails and social networking, should generally be regarded as public and not private. Such activity can impact our professional credibility. As such, we think carefully before we post, and we take special caution in declaring our political leanings online. (See CONFLICT OF INTEREST, above.)

In Conclusion

We are concerned about some of the principle practices of Reyfort Media Group. We can’t do anything about Rey Fortaleza appearing at times to treat his newspaper as Rey’s personal photo album that includes parties and events he goes to, or a lot about his own TV shows, talents, events, promotions and such. That is their choice and if the readers find that interesting that is fine.

But, in our opinion, at times Reyfort Media Group appeared to ignore some important relevant issues in the local Filipino Community that should have been investigated and reported in a balanced, independent, accurate, responsible, comprehensive, fair and timely manner. Some specific issues we feel went ignored were the following;

• THE JUATCO FAMILY ISSUES: The Juatco family issue as reported on the site of www.nellievandt.com and the Province Newspaper (included are Roque and Erlinda Juatco, Roque Juatco Jr. and Janice Lozano on either the Province or Nellie Vandts site) These issues have been going on for 20 years according to the Province Newspaper. The only thing that Reyfort Media Group allowed to be in their newspaper was an opinion article written by Ted Acuitas titled THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA which only briefly mentions Nellie Vandts site along with Mayor Rob Ford and Consul General Jose Ampeso as examples to the article. It was not a proper extensive, investigative article done on one of the most talked about issues in the Filipino Community. Ted Acuitas had a personal meeting with Steve and Luisa Marshall within the last year. During this meeting Ted told Steve and Luisa that he always wanted to write a full story properly about the Juatco’s but Rey Fortaleza did not want it published so Ted had to settle for this incomplete article. It took the mainstream Province Newspaper to write a balance article that the writer Dan Fumano did extensive research and contacted all parties in advance of the publication to get everyones side of the story. Amado Lugtu also did some writeups about www.nellievandt.com site.
• The Jojo Quimpo Facebook issue. Last year Luisa Marshall was in our opinion Cyber Bullied on Jojo Quimpo’s public Facebook wall which was the talk of the community at the time but Reyfort Media Group did not report on it at all. Then Steve Marshall challenged Rey and Araceli Fortaleza in an email lately to correctly report on their write up on Jojo Quimpo when he was running for a Conservative Delegate. Bert Morelos challenged Jojo Quimpo’s reported credentials and eventually Jojo Quimpo admitted that he changed some things to suit himself. But Rey Fortaleza did not report on this issue. Steve Marshall wrote in an email to Reyfort Media and we quote “Here we have a supposed Filipino leader from Vancouver that goes across Canada and gets an award in Toronto in 2011 that was given to many people (that is why is says Filipinos) then he comes back and doesn’t like the title so he changes it to suit himself. And this is a person that wants to run for a Federal Minister of Parliament. And you don’t think that is relevant important news?” This was about Jojo Quimpo. Steve asked Rey and Araceli Fortaleza that question. They did not have an answer.
• BUSTED BOMBA NEWS – BUT, when Amado Lugtu (a competing newspaper publisher) was charged with fraud and started to have issues with Rey Fortaleza then Rey had no problem quickly including Lugtu in his front page news and 2 pages in the center of his newspaper and then including Bert Morelos, Luisa Marshall and Reeve Ryan. Why did it take until it was a personal issue that Rey Fortaleza finally reported delicate issues in the Filipino Community quickly? The problem was Rey Fortaleza did this story opposite of what is considered the proper way according to NEWSPAPERS CANADA. Rey’s report was very unbalanced (instead of balanced), not independent (Instead of independant, Rey was reporting his own personal issue in his newspaper), not accurate (Instead of accurate, Rey did not verify info with all parties to insure this story is accurate), very irresponsible (Instead of responsible, Rey did not get info from all parties involved), not comprehensive (Instead of comprehensive, Rey did not do his due diligence at all), unfair (Instead of fair, Rey did not interview each person at all) but the one thing he did do was reported this in a timely manner if only to serve himself.