Supporting a free and independent media and encouraging conversations that promote media literacy were the goals of Pahayag: A Forum on Media Freedom and Responsibility, held at Leong Hall in Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) last April 29.
Co-hosted by the British and Canadian embassies, and in partnership with several universities and colleges including ADMU, De La Salle University, Miriam College, and St. Paul University, representatives from various diplomatic missions, professional news outfits, and college news organizations were in attendance for the event.
‘Systematic, calibrated, and concerted’
The 2019 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders displayed a worrisome decline in the safety of journalists, with the Philippines being no exception. ADMU President Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin SJ recounted how the Philippines’ standings in the index fell due to the “attacks against alternative news websites.”
“Such harassment has been nothing short of systematic, calibrated, and concerted,” Villarin claimed.
British Ambassador Daniel Pruce shared that he can testify to journalists and their struggles and triumphs, and promoted that free and responsible media is “fundamental” to a democratic society. He declared, “No society can ever be free if its media is not.”
As a former government press officer himself, Pruce acknowledged that there is nothing wrong when conflict arises between reporters and their interviewees, but noted, “When a healthy debate gives way to threats—where it gives way to fear—[that is when] we have crossed a very dangerous line.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Canadian Ambassador John Holmes also expressed his growing concern with the inhibition of journalists’ freedom to express. He urged journalists in these difficult times “not to step back, but actually, to step forward and defend their rights,” stressing the need to report well-researched and documented facts in a professional manner.
For the truth, against the lies
The talk also featured an open forum hosted by radio broadcaster Karen Davila, discussing media freedom alongside Pruce and other panelists, such as Rappler reporter Pia Ranada, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Correspondent Howard Johnson, and veteran journalist Inday Espina-Varona.
The panel looked back on notable incidents of government officials barring journalists from performing their duties, with Ranada citing CNN correspondent Jim Acosta’s press pass being suspended by the White House and Espina-Varona talking about President Rodrigo Duterte’s coverage ban. Ranada responded that although Duterte has his own prerogatives and security issues, she questioned whether such actions violated other people’s rights.
Johnson, on the other hand, recalled being on the receiving end of an attack from internet trolls after producing a documentary on the state of Philippine democracy. He believed that such attacks were deliberately orchestrated.
Ranada encouraged the audience to remain brave against divide-and-conquer tactics being employed by the Duterte administration. Attempts to curtail news outfits such as Rappler, she said, are attempts to plant “seeds of fear” in the minds of journalists.
Accountability and responsibility
Adding to the mobilization for the freedom of media, the speakers also discussed the responsibility of news outlets to correct mistakes made in their reportage. The second forum, also moderated by Davila, emphasized the impact media has on the reputation of individuals and called out publications who do not responsibly issue errata for their mistakes.
Luis Teodoro, a member of the Board of Trustees for the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, weighed in on the rise of social media and pointed out how new media do not have the same gatekeeping processes as old media, which he explained used to protect readers from fake news by encouraging journalists to write responsibly.
Additionally, Teodoro argued that there is still a downside to new media and how “anybody can say whatever they want.”
Philippine Daily Inquirer Associate Publisher Juliet Javellana defended the gatekeeping process, but also urged journalists to promote good governance in exercising their form of editorial judgment.
“Always keep it in mind that we are doing this for national interest [and] for the good of the greatest number [of people],” she pressed.
On the question of how to engage with the audience, Senior Multiplatform Journalist Jacque Manabat shared how she posts her stories digitally first before anything else, noting how the audience has become an “on demand society”, accessing information easily through various platforms.
The issue of journalists voicing out their biases and stands on certain issues was also a topic of interest in the forum. “Something that can be defended with facts is not [biased]. It’s taking a stance,” Teodoro clarified.
Javellana added that the media is generally an advocate for the truth, emphasizing, “We let our stories talk about those advocacies.”
Manabat believed that it is fine for journalists to advocate for what they believe in, as it makes journalists human and gives stories impact. Holmes agreed with this sentiment, adding that journalists should be allowed to advocate for their beliefs, so long as they “never forget that they are [still] journalists.”
