Three’s a Crowd: Aksyon Prime Becomes a Three-Anchor Team

October 24, 2016

Looks like the solo anchor setup on Aksyon newscasts is not working for News5.

Last Monday, News5 decided to once again revamp Aksyon Tonite, adding erstwhile weather reporters Lia Cruz and Marga Vargas to the newscast alongside Joe Marasigan. Both Carlo Marasigan and Toni Aquino were intended to be ‘anchors in training’ as far as News5 is concerned.

This marked the first time that Aksyon-Prime  went with a three-anchor setup. Past lineups of the newscast featured either a two-anchor setup (Erwin Tulfo/Toni Aquino and Carlo Marasigan) or a third anchor setup (Ed Lingao).

The reaction to the move was mostly negative. They argued that Lia and Marga were the latest in a line of ‘entertainers masquerading as journalists’ (EMAJ), as the two lacked any journalistic background owing to their past experience as sports reporters (Lia for Solar Sports, Marga for ABC-5).

While Carlo and Toni’s addition to Aksyon Prime serves to develop the two into well-rounded journalists, it is clear that News5 is once again dooming themselves with these questionable moves. A rundown of other late primetime newscasts on major privately-owned networks should show the foolishness of News5’s decision.

TV-Newscast

 * The World Tonight (ABS-CBN and ANC) – Tony Velasquez.Yassi Pressman,
 * Nadine Lustre.Carlo Marasigan
 * Bandila (DZMM Teleradyo) – Ces Drilon.Julius Babao.Karen Davila
 * 24 Oras (GMA) – Vicky Morales.Mike Enriquez.Mel Tiangco
 * Saksi (GMA) – Arnold Clavio.Pia Arcangel.Mel Tiangco
 * Ulat Bayan (PTV) – Aljo Bendijo.Catherine Vital.Gani Oro
 * Newsroom (CNN Philippines) – Mitzi Borromeo
 * News TV QRT (GMA News TV) – Jiggy Manicad
 * Mata Ng Agila (Net 25) – Alma AngelesSam Cepeda
 * Why News (UNTV News and Rescue) – Diego Castro III, Darlene Basingan, Gerry Alcantara
 * News Light (ZTV) – AR Vargas
 * Lingkod Balita (BEAM) – Mike Templo

The list above shows that all listed anchors are indeed legitimate journalists. Too bad for News5 and its head Luchi Cruz-Valdes.

Going down the EMAJ route just to revamp Aksyon Tonite should serve as a way to destroy its once-credible aura. When the newscast was anchored by Carlo Marasigan and Toni Aquino, many praised it for its emphasis on hard news, which helped restore its credibility that was lost during Erwin Tulfo’ time.

Now that they promoted Carlo Marasigan and Toni Aquino to serve alongside Joe Marasigan, expect that praise to turn against Aksyon Prime. They may be added just to gain experience, but unless they grow and learn quickly, they might become the next Menchu Macapagal or Hillary Isaac.