Ging Reyes, the new head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, says the Kapamilya station will continue the programs initiated by her predecessor Maria Ressa, particularly citizen journalism, the Code of Ethics, and multi-platform/new media strategies.

?The first question I posed to (network big boss) Gabby Lopez when he asked me to join ABS-CBN Manila was: ?Are you going to give me the same editorial independence that Maria enjoyed?? He assured me that he would.?

Reyes was formerly the chief of the station?s North American bureau.

Reyes asserts that the news team will remain impartial in spite of network talents who have links with politics?namely, Kris Aquino, sister of President Noynoy Aquino; Korina Sanchez, wife of defeated vice presidential candidate Mar Roxas; and former Vice President Noli de Castro.

De Castro and Sanchez recently rejoined ?TV Patrol? as main anchors, along with Ted Failon.

The most persistent question remains: How would the Kapamilya news team ?cover? President Aquino? (It is widely perceived that the Lopezes have close ties with the Aquinos.)

?We will cover P-Noy the same way we covered every president. Objectively, fairly, even with a critical eye. Nothing has changed,? Reyes notes.

As for the President?s sister Kris?

?We will cover her the same way,? she says.

Another crucial query: How will they stay in touch with younger viewers, now that ?Patrol? has more ?seasoned? news presenters?

?Our anchors are veterans, but we also have young reporters on the show. We have a good mix on ?Patrol,?? she says.

Her ultimate goal is for veterans to share ?their expertise and experience? to younger reporters. ?I want to act as mentor to the new generation of journalists.?

Yet another criticism raised by competition is the ?credibility? of its anchors, considering their political connections.

?But Noli and Korina do not shape nor influence our editorial policies,? Reyes explains. ?If they will write a story, it will still have to go through a process. Editors will check the story for balance, accuracy and fairness. They cannot affect our editorial positions, especially concerning issues about their personal and political involvement.?

Reyes points out that, in the United States, respected journalist Andrea Mitchell is married to Allan Greenspan, former chair of the Federal Reserve and that the late Tim Russert, longtime moderator of ?Meet the Press,? was a political operative and worked as staff member of Sen. Daniel Moynihan and Gov. Mario Cuomo.

?Politicians, journalists and even movie stars circulate in a very small world. It cannot be avoided if they would get involved somehow,? she says.

Although she was a bridesmaid in the anchor?s wedding, Reyes downplays her ?friendship? with Sanchez.

?We worked closely before, but that will not affect our professional relationship. I am aware that our friendship will be scrutinized. In fact, my friends are more fearful that I?m back because they know that I?ll be just as demanding on them. I don?t play favorites.?

Reyes has a lot of work on her plate?especially since TV5 and QTV will reportedly come out with their own 24-hour news channels to be pitted against the Kapamilya network?s ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel).

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