Press(ured) Freedom

The Philippine Press is known to be one of the freest in Asia, with a constitutional guarantee of this freedom, no wonder journalists in the country are all out in covering, writing, and reporting the haves and have nots of the land.

Ironically, along with this freedom, being a Filipino journalist is also branded as a very dangerous job in the country. Sad to say, there is more than what is in Article 3 Section IV of our Constitution, for almost everyone can see, hear, and feel what the real thing is behind the shots on the screen and ink on the paper.

As the so-called “fourth estate,” one of the journalists’ philosophies is to hold institutions and individuals accountable to whatever they did, doing, or will do. Journalists are branded as the watchdog in the society. But then, given the situation in the country, and as being the number three most dangerous place for journalists to live in—next to Iraq and Somalia, which are warzones—it seems like, the watchdog is being the one watched. Where is the freedom in that?

Restrained only by laws in libel and sedition, the Philippine Press, by the book, seems to be free. Free to give voice to the voiceless; free to serve as the much-needed surveillance; free to set the country’s agenda; free to criticize and comment; and free to do just about everything else in between. Indeed, looking at the surface, the watchdog is doing what it is supposed to do—to give the bark and the bite. But looking deeper, the watchdog that endlessly barks and bites is not free at all. Looking on its neck, a leash is tied upon it, restraining it from doing something that is beyond its limit.

The leash that controls the watchdog is, who else, but its masters. Media entities, such as TV stations, radio stations, and newspapers, are controlled by its owners and publishers. Now, this is the covert way of restraining the freedom of the press: censorship by friendship.

Unknown to many, most of the media outlets in the country are controlled mostly by the elite. The Lopezes of ABS-CBN, the Gozon’s of GMA7, the Pangilinan’s of TV5, the Yap’s of Manila Bulletin, the Gokongwei’s, the Razon’s, the Go’s, and so many more, these media bigwigs, somehow, control what must and must not be broadcasted and published. They have a say to every word that will be and will not be out; they can set what should and should not be in the public’s attention; they can make or break a person in just a snap; they can sway every string of words, every camera shots, into their own agenda.

With that, are the journalists free to express themselves? Are they free to write anything without thinking what their proprietors will say? Are they free to publish and broadcast stories which interlock with their employers’ interests? I don’t’ think so.

I believe, the Philippine Press is not at all free. Freedom of expression in the country is like freedom of expressing the selective truth. In one way or another, journalists are restrained from full disclosing fact and data; journalists are discreet from saying what is really needed by the public, for media owners, journalists should only say what is wanted by the public—if it sells, you’re in, if not, then you’re out.  As they say, business is business.

There is no such thing as “Freedom of the Press” when journalists are being hit in their ample pockets. Who cares about fairness, responsibility, credibility, objectivity, when as a human being, the money that they get from their jobs is more important? Sad to say, for some, it is much better to lose their ethics than to lose their humble paychecks, to lose their jobs.

As young media practitioners, as young journalists, we can definitely make a change. Cliché as it may sound; we are the hope of the Philippine Press. As early as being in the academe, as fresh as the new graduates, we must be the one thinking and believing. Yes indeed, it is hard to change the culture, the way the media is. But I believe, through one stroke, one shot, we can change the world. Practice ethics, know the responsibilities. As much as we can, we must be objective—no sides, no strings attached, “trabaho lang walang personalan” when it comes to reporting and writing the news. I know, it won’t sell, it won’t land us an envious place in the industry, but hey, I believe, this fulfillment is better than any financial rewards.

No pressure, though, just expressing.

Happy Press Freedom Day! :)