Ending on a high note

The recent Cebu Press Freedom Week is coming to an end today. After a week of fora, discussions on issues concerning the industry, and fun activities, we return to the daily grind. It’s the life we know and swore to uphold because we are committed to the audience we inform. We go back to the routine of going through the offices that concern our beat, the perennial writing to beat the deadline, and breaking stories on our platform. The once-a-year time for the media to pause, discourse, and enjoy, will be shelved for the next year again.

I’d like to believe that this year’s Press Freedom Week ended on a high note, with all different areas in the media industry addressing the different concerns in their part of the news production process. For instance, beat reporters sorted out the parameters of their coverage and their move to become unified as an organization. The goal is to be there for one another, to give support when needed, and to establish solidarity in a profession that often thrives on competition.

On the other hand, legacy media gave their share to impart new skills, trends, and techniques to communication students, who will take the helm after them. This passing of knowledge is important, not only for the continuity of the profession but also to keep the fire alive in the next generation. After all, the challenges that lie ahead aren’t for the fainthearted. When students are inspired and trained well, they can grow into wise journalists.

Most importantly, Press Freedom Week is a celebration of enjoying the freedom of the Press, albeit not as fully as it should be. We remember what transpired during the martial law period and give tribute to those who were instrumental in restoring the voices of the fourth estate. Present-day discussions remind us that the perils of the past are still present today, only in different forms. It is one thing that we must uphold and remember: the old adage of “History repeats itself,” however cliché, is true. And when history does repeat, journalists must be there to document, to question, and to resist.

We look forward to another year ahead, which means another year of new issues that may crop up in the industry. As of now, the discussion on the adoption of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, and more concerns are being raised on cybersecurity, scamming, and phishing. We are also constantly threatened by news mistrust and news apathy simply because it becomes too overwhelming for the public.

I hope that when we turn the page for next year, journalists are more able to address the concerns that threaten their jobs with the skill set and capabilities that they have. More than that, I hope we continue to remind the public why a free and independent Press matters. Because in the end, it isn’t just about us: It’s about the truth we uphold, the voices we amplify, and the stories we choose to tell.