CEBU, Philippines – In celebration of the 20th Cebu Press Freedom Week and Broadcaster's Month, the Talisay City Council will be passing a resolution supporting the activity, along with the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines on September 21, 1972.
City Councilor Danilo Caballero, who is set to present the resolution in today's council session, said the local government acknowledges the media as an ally for information dissemination.
"Media in Cebu still plays a vital role in preserving this freedom up to today and continuously celebrates it with the people through the annual celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week and Cebu Broadcaster's Month, wherein activities for mediamen are being conducted," Caballero said.
The celebration officially started in September 1994, but the annual press freedom commemoration began in November 1990 when Bobby Nalzaro, then commentator of dyMF, was beaten up over his report on excessive fare collection in barges plying the Mactan Island and Mandaue City route.
Since then, journalists have held a parade every third Sunday leading to the anniversary of Martial Law declaration to fight for press freedom.
The group decided to hold a weeklong celebration and included students who would become future journalists and news sources.
The celebration will start on Sunday with a Press Freedom Walk.