Defending press freedom

I remember the crisp smell of ink and newsprint paper back in my college undergrad days. It would excite me because it meant something was brewing. It meant news. The scent would waft from a pile of the school publication's freshest issue, resting on the lobby tiles and inviting all students (and other by-passers who were curious enough) to pick up a copy and read. It was an outspoken, engrossing publication that talked of campus issues, events, rules and key personalities. Because it was readily relatable, many students looked forward to reading it.

Then one semester, without warning, the issues never came. My classmates and I later learned that the publication had been muted by the school administration because apparently, it had expressed very frank views on delicate campus issues and certain personalities. Years passed and it has never spoken since. Back then, protests were held and many student leaders proposed to have an independent paper in circulation - all in the name of freedom of expression and sadly, all in vain.

Though the clamor seemed futile, it actually worked to highlight the power of the press and made students like myself come to appreciate it. If something as limited in circulation as a student newspaper could cause such threat and uproar that the administrators censored it altogether, how much more for those newspapers of regional distribution? I can't help but agree with Napoleon Bonaparte when he once said, "Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than four thousand bayonets."

There is that undeniable, immense power of the press. That is why scores of Philippine journalists have been killed, threatened, targeted and detained because the fellow powerful ones feel a power struggle. It is no secret that the Philippines is now the second most dangerous place in the world for journalists. Not a world record we'd want to break this time, huh?

As citizens, freedom of the press is our right and privilege, our connection to the government and our indirect way of participating in it. It is the freedom of society to have its voice heard and it is at heart of our democracy. As constituents in our country, we deserve to know. How else can we know what's going on, if the press doesn't tell us? The press can flash the searchlight in dark nooks and corners of our State and dig up unjust practices that might need public consensus for change. Without a doubt, the media has a great, great influence on how people behave.

As this year's Press Freedom Week comes to a close, I hope we appreciate even more the importance of freedom of the press. We should be thankful for the work they're into, which seems more like a public service than a way to make money. In light of the theme, let us celebrate press freedom by defending it and the journalists who represent it. In turn, I hope the government reaffirms their duty to uphold this universal human right.

Let us acknowledge that journalists are commendable people. Their line of work involves a hell lot of courage, integrity, honesty and commitment. They will stand in the middle of a crossfire, rush to nearest crime scene or raise the boldest questions if that's what it takes to get a good story, the knowledge of which could help the public in one way or another or better yet, spark a fire in them. Journalists are not only correspondents of change but are themselves agents of change. They deserve a whole lot more credit than what they're used to. But in all their humility and honor, it is enough that you listen.

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