The Freeman’s 102nd anniversary

We create moments and memories. We commemorate them with anniversaries. And our excitement demonstrates how much we cherish such significant events in our lives. Such is the case with The Freeman, which will mark its 102nd anniversary on Sunday, July 18.

Aside from commemorating the birthdays of my loved ones, I value this institution, The Freeman, in my writing career as an arts and culture columnist, which also periodically broadens the scope by providing thoughts about other significant human experiences.

The truth is, although the volume or number of copies has drastically decreased as a result of the advent of technology, the newspaper was quick to establish its presence online. But I'd still like the peculiar fragrance of the tangible paper and the feel of the pages as I turn them. As a result, I feel my contemporaries would still enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although the younger generation prefers the online version, which can be used alongside other social networking sites. And yet it certainly has become a source of pride and honor for the pioneers to preserve the old way of making information available to the public.

The Freeman has made an incalculable contribution to the community of readers. It changes the way we think and what we believe. It encourages people to take positive steps in the right direction.

When somebody reaches a century, a special privilege is given to acknowledge his contribution to society. And the paper is more than a century of serving as a vanguard of truth and justice. And so it is just fitting to salute the prime movers; the illustrious lawyer named Don Paulino Arandia Gullas, Julian Bulaon, Saturnino Villoria, and Glen Russel. The late Jose “Dodong” Gullas, who gave a new lease of life to the paper in 1965, Balt Quinain, Juanito Jabat, and the present CEO, Miguel Belmonte, and to the rest of the brave men and women from across the century for keeping the tradition of fearless and fairness in providing information to the reading public.

On a macro perspective, it is difficult to thrive in an industry where there is so much fake news and false information that we are frequently confused about the integrity of a news story as well as the biases in its opinions. Despite this, it is still a mirror that reflects the public, although one that is more or less flawed.

On the occasion of its 102nd anniversary, I salute the pillars of this great daily, as well as the men and women who perpetuate the history of fearless and fair journalism. And as a member of this organization, I've pledged to uphold the founders' good intentions. We may not be able to see them anymore, but we can still feel and enjoy the fruits of their vision and legacy.

Even now, I understand what Thomas Jefferson meant when he remarked, "If it were up to me to choose between a government without media and newspapers without a government, I would not hesitate a minute to prefer the latter." Every time a newspaper, no matter how bad, closes its doors, the country comes closer to tyranny. Even now, in the face of a deluge of fake news, the newspaper's value or role must be defended.

Padayon ug mabuhi, The Freeman!