Press freedom and social media

Last week up to September 21, Cebu celebrated press freedom, like it has always done in previous years. The forums other events were well attended media practitioners, civil society, government officials and many others who relish the Cebu vibrant press and media. Cebu’s pre-eminence in press freedom in the whole Philippines and even internationally, has been a remarkable accolade and a wonder because it does not happen in other places in the country and in many parts of the world. Democratic space and fearlessness of reporters and other media practitioners are major factors, and these are supported by favorable income distribution, demographics, educational institutions and general public awareness.

The Cebu Citizens Press Council (CCPC), the main mover of the annual celebration of Press Freedom Week, in a recent Board meeting discussed the continuing relevance and future of the council in the light of new developments in media, especially social media. The success of CCPC and prominence over other similar organizations was highlighted by the inquiries, visits and interactions with media organizations from Europe and Asia was discussed, and the mission/vision, organization and mandates were revisited. While there are no policy guidelines on what are the matters/issues that CCPC should take a stand or come up with positions, in coordination with other Press organizations like KBP, CENEWOF and others, the CCPC’s position always matters, particularly on Press Freedom.

On top of the national newspapers that are available in Cebu, there are two local newspapers with adequate circulation and online presence. National and local radio and television have presence, international channels are accessible, and all global networks and social media sites available via the internet. Facebook. Messenger, Instagram, Viber, Twitter (X), and many other social media sites are all accessible at the present internet speeds. The need for a sizable audience or critical mass for press freedom to thrive and prosper is achieved in Cebu, and eventually in the smaller cities and towns that are connected to the social media. These will constrict the ability of local politicians/autocrats to suppress information/news and intimidate media personalities.

The impact of social media on press freedom cuts both ways. While it broadens the reach and length of info/news exposure, it also includes information that is not fit to be news. Indecent, immoral, false/unvalidated information and totally fake/invented news are also spread. And these are accessible to all audiences including children and people who have no skills to discern real from fake news. There is surely a need to come up with restrictions and censorships from the owners/regulators of these online media channels. It is good that there are now policing guidelines and guardians that fact check and delete inappropriate posts in these sites. Hopefully, the self-restricting/self-policing mechanism of loss of audience/readers/followers will discipline content creators/bloggers/influencers from abusing/posting objectionable posts.

On the whole, the advent of social media is positive and improves press freedom. The exposure and availability of more information improves transparency and accountability of governments, government officials, politicians and people that matter. Exposure to the light of day is essential to good governance and good government. The recent coverage by the main and social media of the Quiboloy and Alice Guo arrest and hearings, the POGO shutdowns/criminal activities, the EJKs during the Duterte Administration, and the budget hearings /confidential funds of the VP Duterte are illustrative of the press freedom of all media in the Philippines. Going into the May 2025 interim election in the Philippines, the main and social media will play a collaborative role with social media’s inter-active ability taking the lead, as social media followers can respond faster to the posts/blogs. The main media provides the confirmatory role of the validity/truthfulness of the news.

Social media is here to stay and will play a major role in press freedom. In our last meeting in the CCPC, I moved that the Board of Directors of the Council be increased to 15 to include representatives from the online/social media sector. It was seconded and approved in our Sept. 19, 2024 meeting.