May 3 - On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, The Asian Center for Journalism (ACFJ) and The Guidon held a 2-days forum titled “Meet the Press: A World Press Freedom Day Activity” at Ateneo de Manila University Leong Hall Auditorium.
Delegates and attendees from various publications were warmly welcomed by Dr. Czarina "Bobeep" Saloma-Akpedonu, the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, and Ambassador Marielle Geraedts of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As part of the AdMU School of Social Science (SOSS) week, Dr. Saloma-Akpedonu noted that the press has a responsibility to rectify the distorted reality and its role as a promoter of human rights. She also added that World Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder to everyone, including the government, to respect press freedom and provides an opportunity for media professionals to ponder upon press freedom issues. Meanwhile, Ambassador Geraedts, representing the Netherlands as co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), expressed their high regard for the work of journalists in the Philippines and assured that no journalist should fear losing their job.
In his keynote, Senior TV Producer Bloomberg Ryan Chua noted the fast phasing of the industry in response to the rise of technology and the dilemmas journalists face now that the Philippines ranked 7th place as a dangerous place for journalists. He also said that with the rise of social media, journalists are being challenged to fight against fake news and disinformation. Chua added that despite these challenges, he hoped that journalists will remain undiminished.
“But precisely in this environment of information overload, where it is often difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood, facts from propaganda…journalists are more needed.”, Chua added. He pointed out that being a journalist may not have board exams yet it needs skills and expertise. Some even sacrificed their time just so they could deliver the truth and stories. Chua said that the values’ journalists hold, adaptability and their commitment to the truth, will help them stay relevant. He encouraged everyone to pursue a career in news media, he added that it may be a tough job but there’s no other profession that will give them the opportunity, privilege, and satisfaction that comes with it to tell the world's stories.
Reporters such as Ed Lingao, Krixia Subingsubing, Jheset Enano,and Franco Luna recounts their experiences in the field of journalism.
Community Journalism
The second and final day of the forum commenced with the Colloquium of Master Project, which showcased the capstone thesis of distinguished community journalists. Justine Dizon, a journalist from CLTV, who began his career in journalism, reflected on his experience covering the topics of E-sabong and the front lines of his community in Pampanga. Similarly, Chrislen Bulosen of ABS-CBN Davao recounted her experience of the shutdown of ABS-CBN and the difficulties she encountered while managing the job of 40 people due to cost-cutting measures implemented by the management. Ms. Bulosen emphasized in her capstone thesis the ethical violations of "Tulfo Journalism" in the court of public opinion and how it can affect an individual. Jaqueue Manabat, a senior multi-platform journalist, discussed the challenges she faced while adapting to the new TikTok platform. As the industry evolves rapidly, she said, "journalists should broaden their reach as well as their area of expertise and find ways to reach a wider audience."
When asked about how community journalism can effectively engage and serve the diverse needs and interests of local communities while maintaining ethical standards and journalistic integrity, Mr. Dizon stated that stories should not be censored during coverage. "As long as the story is based on truth and facts, it should be published," he said. Ms. Bulosen added that as a journalist, it can be daunting to take on a controversial story that may offend certain individuals or groups. However, she stressed the importance of journalists doing their job and reporting the truth, as there is no need for them to fear any backlash or threats. Despite how difficult or uncomfortable it may be, it remains the duty of journalism to report the truth.
Pitik: Discussion on Visual Journalism
In the second part of the program "Pitik: Discussion of Visual Journalism," the focus shifts to the experiences of two renowned photojournalists, Luis Liwanag and Lisa Marie David. Through their stories, they shed light on the realities of being a photojournalist in the field, and the challenges they face while pursuing their passion.
Luis Liwanag is a veteran photojournalist who has spent over 40 years documenting the political and social landscape of the Philippines. He has captured powerful images of human rights violations, political and social unrest, and more, earning him numerous awards and recognition for his work. During the discussion, Liwanag shares his journey as a photojournalist, reflecting on the difficult choices he has had to make in order to capture the truth and convey the reality of the situations he has covered.
Lisa Marie David, on the other hand, is a younger photojournalist who has already made a name for herself through her work on social and political issues in the Philippines. She has captured stunning images of the lives of Filipino people, highlighting the problems in many parts of the country. In her retelling of her journey, David talks about the challenges of working in the field, going to remote locations and the importance of building relationships with the communities and individuals she photographs.
Both Liwanag and David offer valuable insights into the world of photojournalism, and the role that visual storytelling plays in shaping our understanding of the world.
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