Cebu Press Freedom Week: Standing strong amid changing times

Continuing from my column last Tuesday, where I shared my 28 years with the Cebu media community, I was reminded this week why I'm proud to be part of Cebu's press. From the opening fellowship to forums on artificial intelligence and talks on gender sensitivity, each day this week reminded us of our shared commitment to uphold the core principles of journalism, standing firm amid the tides of change.

This year's Cebu Press Freedom Week kicked off with an opening fellowship last Sunday with a Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Ritche Salgado at Robinsons Galleria. On Monday, September 16, the “GMA Masterclass: The Cebu Press Freedom Week Special” was held at the University of the Philippines Cebu, which was jam-packed with communication students. GMA’s Malou Mangahas and Raffy Tima discussed documentaries in our changing media landscape, inspiring future journalists with lessons on how to innovate their storytelling.

On the same day, Visayan Electric held its “Power Lunch with the Media” at Quest Hotel and Conference Center. Meanwhile, I joined the China Bank Savings virtual forum on financial wellness, which tackled the mindset needed to reach our financial goals—a crucial skill in today’s unpredictable market.

On Tuesday, Selrahco PR hosted a lunch for Cebu lifestyle columnists and business writers at Café Summit. Meanwhile, at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, MyTV Cebu held its 'ContentWise' forum about authenticity and accountability in the digital space. The FREEMAN and Banat News also organized a forum focusing on the role of self-care in sustaining excellence in one’s profession. Mental health experts Dr. Robert R. Cañete and Dr. Sherryl M. Abellanosa shared insights, with The FREEMAN’s Iris Mascardo serving as the reactor.

On September 18, Wednesday, the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalists held its general assembly at the Golden Prince Hotel and Suites. The event featured Atty. Frank Lloyd Tiongson of the National Union of People's Lawyers, who spoke on "Cyberlibel and the Intricacies of Cyberspace in Journalism."

That evening, opinion writers of Cebu shared dinner and songs during the “Columnists’ Fellowship” at Casino Español de Cebu. This gathering is always an interesting mix of camaraderie, and I was glad to rub elbows with both my veteran idol columnists and the younger ones of my generation. I was touched by writer par excellence Melanie Lim’s observation that there seem to be fewer women columnists in Cebu now. The event was supported by Metro Retail Stores Group, WTG Construction & Development Corp., SM Supermalls, Love & Diamonds, and Rico Dionson. We also appreciated the presence of Margaret Gaisano-Ang, director, and Rosita Jose, AVP of Marketing at Metro Retail Stores Group Inc.

On September 19, CDN Digital held a journalism and financial literacy forum that highlighted the importance of financial savvy in today's media world. That afternoon, the forum "MAMSER: Improving Media Reporting on Gender" was held at the Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Center. Organized by the Cebu Citizens-Press Council, Stet Women in Cebu Media, and Cebu Media Legal Aid (CEMLA), the event featured talks by food and travel writer Jude Bacalso, Atty. Archill Capistrano of UP Cebu Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment, myself from CEMLA, and Chase Go of the Transman Equality and Awareness Movement. We discussed how media can promote inclusivity and understanding.

Also that afternoon, the 'Mr. and Ms. Cebu Press Freedom 2024' competition was held at the Axis Bar in Nustar Resort & Casino. Beyond friendly rivalry, our colleagues showcased their many talents. Congratulations to MyTV Cebu's Queenie Joligon and KBP's Remart Pogoy, who were crowned Ms. and Mr. Cebu Press Freedom 2024. Congratulations also to our very own Andrew Matthew Ortoño of The FREEMAN for winning first runner-up, and to Iris Hazel Mascardo for winning second runner-up.

Yesterday, September 20, a key event was the forum on 'Artificial Intelligence in Community Journalism,' featuring Jaemark Tordecilla—a 2024 Nieman Fellow at Harvard—as the speaker. The forum, which took place at Seda Hotel Ayala Center Cebu, was organized by Stet Women in Cebu Media.

Special mention to my good friend Michelle So—Stet Women in Media member and former executive editor of Sun.Star Cebu—for superbly convening this year's 32nd Cebu Press Freedom Week.

Since the 1990s, Cebu has continued to be a good case study of how journalists, the private sector, and citizens collaborate to sustain press freedom. The challenges we face—populism, digital disruption, economic uncertainties—underscore the importance of unity and adherence to the core principles of good journalism.