By Joanne B. Benitez/THE RED CHRONICLES
Layout by Joanne Dy Bunteng/THE RED CHRONICLES
The Red Chronicles took part in a forum titled “Future of Media: Fighting Disinformation and Strengthening Independent Media 2024,” held at the Jerusalem Room, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Quezon City, last April 8, 2024.
In an effort to equip aspiring media professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in an ever-evolving industry, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-NCR in partnership with Tudla Productions and the National Union of Students of the Philippines-NCR hosted a two-day event that aimed to establish a robust coalition across various sectors to combat the systemic issue of disinformation.
Over the course of the two-day event, participants engaged with a range of pertinent topics concerning the future of media. Led by industry experts and seasoned professionals, the forum provided progressive and timely insights regarding journalism, alternative media, human rights, and law amid the red-tagging spree and crackdown on the press and media.
According to Martin Asistio, the CEGP-NCR Deputy Secretary General, the primary objective of the event is to fight disinformation and strengthen independent media.
“Our dominant media outlets are often controlled by their owners, who are also in government and part of political dynasties. So, it’s very important for us to strengthen our independent media, which includes campus publications. In the history of our country, campus publications have played a crucial role. They have been the voice of truth during times when the government and the authorities try to suppress the truth,” added Asistio.
During the forum, the challenging state of campus publications in the NCR was mentioned, emphasizing significant constraints and limitations. These issues include the reluctance of administrations to cover national issues, a lack of budget leading to operational difficulties, and obstacles in acquiring essential equipment. These challenges pose significant threats to press freedom and hinder the ability of independent media to fulfill their role effectively.
Xandra Liza Bisenio of the IBON Foundation’s Media and Communications Department discussed the implications of Constitutional Change (Cha-Cha) on the economy. She highlighted the need to prioritize sectors like agriculture and manufacturing and safeguard social justice and economic rights in any proposed amendments.
Bisenio further elaborated that the 1987 Constitution was crafted after the [EDSA] Revolution, aiming for progress but still reflecting an elite bureaucracy. The dominance of political dynasties is impacting democracy. The argument for Cha-Cha centers on the need to adapt to a globalized world and loosen restrictions hindering economic growth. However, the focus on economic provisions raises questions about its effectiveness in addressing broader societal issues.
Key concerns include widespread informal employment, poverty, and inadequate social safety nets. Despite reported economic growth, many Filipinos still struggle with unstable jobs, insufficient wages, and a lack of insurance. Collaboration between unions, media, and student leaders is deemed essential to addressing these challenges.
Ultimately, the discussion underscores the importance of strengthening the economy by prioritizing sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. It also highlights the need to safeguard social justice and economic rights within any proposed Constitutional amendments, particularly for vulnerable sectors like farmworkers and fishermen.
In the second half of the program, Atty. Toni La Viña, a law professor and author-contributor to Rappler and Inquirer, highlighted that news writing must not come solely from mainstream secondary sources and large media outlets. He emphasized that student publications and journalists must also refer to articles published by alternative media outlets such as Bulatlat, Altermidya, and other alternative news conduits. He further stated that journalists should note the important rule of having at least two trusted independent media outlets as sources of information.
The esteemed lawyer-columnist furthered that in writing issues on national security, sovereignty, and other relevant issues, [writers] should refrain from commenting on thematic topics that they have no expertise in. However, Atty. La Viña stressed, “Do not let the need for background paralyze you.” He further posited that the literature background regarding an issue can sometimes be mastered in an hour, provided that journalists derive their intensive research and data from the right sources.
Lian Buan, Senior Investigative Reporter at Rappler discussed the intricacies of justice and human rights reporting and news writing. Where issues involving legalese and judicial terms are heavily sourced in an article, terms should be properly navigated. She stated that journalists should verily master the legal process to be able to ask the right questions and from the right angles. Citing an instance when Buan was able to extract the absurdity and violations of legal processes, she revealed the inconsistent statements surrounding the destructive arson charge against the progressive and acclaimed director, Jade Castro. By raising queries on warrantless arrest, and inconsistencies in authorities’ statements, Buan unveiled the fact that the unlawful act charged against Castro was not positively identified by any witnesses.
On the drug war coverage, Buan stressed that the right to counsel should always be considered by writers and investigative journalists. She added that while the police authorities unlawfully presented the accused to the media without having been accompanied by a counsel, journalists should not ask queries, for it is unethically violative of constitutionally vested basic human rights.
Buan further underscored that journalists must depart from writing complex legalese. The goal should rest on the comprehension and understanding of plain readers. In referencing a number of court resolutions and decisions, extract the relevant dispositive portion of the pressing issue to be reported.
Finally, as for the news coverage involving Supreme Court rulings, Lian Buan stated that journalists must know the distinctions and nature of petitions available to the SC’s forum. However, restressing the departure from complex legal terms and procedural concepts, Buan emphasized that such complexities should be simplistically written and explained for plain readers, without writing precise and heavy legalese.
As the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-NCR looks ahead to future events, they remain committed to supporting the next generation of media professionals and empowering them to forward change in the industry amid the media crackdown, red-tagging, and disinformation.