BY MARY FER I. BAYLEN and SHANNEN CASQUIO
ILOILO City – In a forum commemorating World Press Freedom Day on May 3, student journalists and media practitioners were challenged to lead in eradicating misinformation and upholding the truth through journalism.
Organized by the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation Inc., the forum at the St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary Auditorium in Jaro district brought together the members of the tri-media and academics to discuss the current state of press freedom, explore ways to strengthen the media’s independence, and promote pluralism through journalism in the digital age.
“Approach the people who are victims of misinformation with love. Unawain mo sila — they come from a generation which did not have access to free media. They act that way because they never had a chance to develop that kind — that option — to have the range of information that you take for granted today,” said veteran journalist Inday Espina-Varona, a fourth-generation descendant of Ilonggo national hero Graciano Lopez-Jaena, himself a journalist.
Furthermore, Rommel F. Lopez, associate editor of PressONePH, highlighted the importance of verifying and contextualizing accurate information to the public and using social media and technology to further its reach, emphasizing the roles young journalists play in disseminating information in defending the public good.
“Journalism is both an art and a craft and you cannot sharpen your saw if you do not actually use it. Your own social media channels, [and] your own platforms are your tools to spread the news,” said Lopez, regarding the use of social media in journalism.
Almost 100 participants attended the forum, including representatives from local media outlets, various university and college student publications, and students of Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in English (BSEd) 3-A from West Visayas State University taking up the subject “Journalism for Teachers” under Dr. Hazel P. Villa.
“I realized how powerful journalism is. Being an active journalist comes with a lot of risks, but it is a passion — a mission to fight for human rights and let justice and truth prevail,” said Gale Gwen Javier, one of the BSEd English 3-A students who attended the event.
The World Press Freedom Day, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is celebrated annually in alignment with the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, which highlights the freedom of expression within the press media, as well as to address the concerns revolving the journalists’ rights and press freedom. (Silak Media, WVSU)/PN
