In the midst of two simultaneous events happening at once, I isolated myself from socializing. As I write this down, the opening of Cebu Press Freedom Week continues while former colleagues at ABS-CBN Cebu are gathering at our former station. Both are equal parties when it comes to the journalism industry, which continues to grapple with changing times and challenges. It leads me back to thinking if the Philippines is indeed a free country for the Press. Perhaps this may be the reason for my introspection and stepping away from the gallantries of meeting other people.
I can't help but think about the many times the press has been threatened and harassed. In Cebu, the cases are rare and easily acted upon. However, it is in the everyday dealings that journalists still struggle. Take, for instance, the low wages and compensation for our daily work. There are also instances where sources demand rather than give, and information is closed off as exclusive to a certain group only. It is as if we are missing the entire point of having a free Press.
Of course, ABS-CBN Cebu is just one of the many that had to close shop due to political differences. Others barely made it because of financial constraints. Today, we are seeing a resurgence of many platforms, while others have moved to work for the government. It is as if they have seen the importance of communication and governance, an aspect that we have so long lobbied for in the past. We just hope the public information offices don't compete with the media; we should work hand in hand.
Other than that, Cebu is a different dimension on its own. With journalists helping one another while sporting a healthy competition, it is a joy to be within this crowd. The yearly gatherings, fellowships and games allow us to take a breather from the hustle of the everyday grind. We sing, dance, and perform not to shun the real issues but to escape reality, even for just a week. The demands trump up to more than what we receive in return, not to mention harsh comments from the audience and our critics.
There remains to be the threat of artificial intelligence and inauthentic coordinated behavior on the internet. We go head to head with vloggers who claim to do our jobs better than we do. The problems just pile up every time. With the absence now of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, regulation is left to the bodies that have vowed to keep the spirit of the free press alive.
Perhaps this is why we gather. It is not only to celebrate the profession, but to remind ourselves that journalism is still worth fighting for. Press freedom is not only about being allowed to publish but being able to ask difficult questions, pursue uncomfortable truths, and give the public the information it needs to make sense of the world. In Cebu, we continue to do so, despite everything that keeps piling up.