Filipino journalists mark World Press Freedom Day today, May 3, not on a cheerful note. As the Committee to Protect Journalists said last Wednesday, journalists continue to be killed for doing what they, alright, we are supposed to do and the assailants are getting away with it.
According to the CPJ, the Philippines is sixth among countries where killers of journalists get away with murder. CPJ calls it the “impunity index”. In fact, Taiwan now holds the distinction of having the “freest press in Asia”.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has lined up activities today, to remind the people and journalists of the need for vigilance. First is the wreathlaying ceremonies at the home town of Filipino press freedom icon Marcelo H. Del Pilar in Plaridel, Bulacan. Then, in the evening, an “open jam” dubbed “PaimPRESS ka JAM” at the Freedom Bar in Anonas, Quezon City.
Elsewhere, the National Press Club holds its regular elections which is — again — marred by controversy and accusations that “fakes” have taken over the club and turned it into something else other than what journalists want it to be.
Apart from the CPJ, the watchdog Freedom House also laments the climate of impunity and dubbed the Philippine press as “partly free” despite “improvements” in the overall situation.
Today is a good opportunity to remember and honor the heroes of the Philippine press, from Plaridel himself to Beng Hernandez. Let us pay tribute to their supreme sacrifice. Let us also applaud all those who toil everyday to cover events, take photos or videos, write commentaries, edit stories and run the presses even amid so much challenges and difficulties.
Methinks the greatest dangers that we face are self-censorship due to the climate of fear, and the false appreciation of the role of the press in a supposed democracy. Apart from truthful reporting, I continue to believe that journalists should “comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable”, that the normal relationship between the press and the government is adversarial (the press must ferret out the truth amid government’s impulse to lie), and that the press is nothing if it does not serve our people’s welfare. Tough and big words, but without these, journalists won’t be able to affect in a positive and progressive way the forward march of the nation.