UST, PUP co-organizes World Press Freedom Day Conference

By Ayanna Dezyrein Zoleta

May 5, 2023

(Photo sourced from PJRC)

This year’s theme, “Journalism and Generation Truth,” tackled the challenges faced by journalists in the age of social media. It also reiterated the oppressive forces utilized by the state—specifically the Duterte and Marcos Regimes—to challenge democracy and limit the freedom of the press in the country.

The delegates and attendees were welcomed by University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC) Dean Fernando dlC. Paragas.

“Alam kong matapang kayo at hindi matitinag ng mga pagbabago sa disiplina at industriya natin. Bagkus kayo ang magsisimula ng bago at inaasahan nating mas makabuluhang yugto nito. Ang tapang ninyo dahil sa pagganap ng tungkulin bilang media practitioners ay tinatanggap ninyo hindi lamang ang hamon na labanan ang mga nagkakalat ng misinformation, disinformation at malinformation kun’di ang harapin ang mga basher, ang mga troll at, malungkot mang isipin, pati naang mga pagbabanta sa mga personal na seguridad ninyo,” said the dean, commending Mass Communication students for pursuing an industry faced with uncertainty.

The Hyflex event was scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., where the forum and roundtable discussion was held in the morning.

Recipients of the McLuhan Fellowship for Excellence in Journalism and UP CMC alumni shared their insights on the theme. Karmina Constantino (ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs), Miriam Grace Go (Rappler Inc.) and Joseph Morong (GMA Integrated News) were invited as guest speakers in the special McLuhan Panel Forum.

“I am among kindred spirits who believe that information is so crucial that it does not just give power to the people, but it holds the powerful to account… The powerful, are they still ever watchful of their actions cause the press stands guard?” said Constantino.

Constantino also reminded that the role of journalists is to remind sitting officials or aspiring ones that they do not have power over the people and that their power emanates from the people.

Meanwhile, Go elaborated on the challenges faced by journalism in the rise of social media and the rapid development of information technology—disinformation, depth and distrust.

“Being a responsible news producer would entail consciously fighting disinformation… Being a responsible news producer also means bringing attention to the issues that matter to the communities,” Go said.

Go noted that the standards and expectations are now higher on real media practitioners, especially as everyone is now a “reporter” due to social media.

Morong also tackled these challenges claiming that today, journalism is facing an “existential crisis.”

“Journalism, what a lofty word. But what an honor, what a privilege to be let in into other people’s lives and be allowed to their stories. What an honor, what a privilege to shine the light in our society’s darkest corners. What a privilege, what an honor to be given the chance to give voice to others who do not have that… There are other stories to tell and voices to be heard… We have a job to do, and we must press on,” Morong said, ending his talk.

The competition proper was then held in the afternoon, wherein a four-panel session for Academic Research, Investigative Journalism, Special Projects and Photo Essay took place. Entries in the said events came from over 100 universities across the country.

The conference was held in person at Film Studio, UP Diliman, Quezon City, but it was also attended by journalists online via Zoom and Facebook Livestream, with 137 onsite and 319 online attendees.

Aside from the PRJC event, PUP will also be conducting a forum, "RED ALERT: Dangers of Red-tagging and Union-busting to Press Freedom,” on May 8 at PUP College of Communication Audio Visual Room.

Different campus publications, including those from universities in Manila, also attended the Asian Center for Journalism "Meet the Press: A World Press Freedom Day Activity” forum held on May 2 and 3.

World Press Freedom Day was celebrated last May 3 with the theme “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights.”