Students and campus journalists from Adamson University (AdU), as well as other participating and partner publications across universities and colleges, attended the annual “Plumang Bughaw IX: Trust on Facts” event Saturday, May 13, at the Adamson University Theater organized by The Adamson Chronicle, AdU’s official student publication.
According to them, the program’s objective is to educate the youth and spread awareness on relevant social issues. It is also part of the recently concluded celebration of the 30th World Press Freedom Day on May 3.
“With the advancement of technology, broader access to social media, and the decline of news consumption, the spread of fake news continues to accelerate. Without facts as a common ground for people to agree with, society has become much more divided in recent years,” the Chronicle stated in a Facebook post.
Human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno, former Kabataan Party-list representative Sarah Jane Elago, journalist Ma. Rheanna Tuazon, and AlterMidya’s National Coordinator Avon Ang served as the guest speakers for the event, tackling different topics in line with disinformation and militant fearless journalism.
𝗨𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁'𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺
Plenary speaker Atty. Chel Diokno kicked off the discussion by emphasizing the significance of understanding and safeguarding the rights of campus journalists. He shed light on various aspects concerning the protection of free speech and the challenges faced by those who exercise this fundamental right.
Drawing attention to the current climate, he lamented that this fundamental right is under attack by those in positions of authority. He particularly highlighted the dangerous practice of red-tagging, which is being used to silence individuals and groups.
Encouraging the audience to resist these violations of their own rights, Diokno stressed the importance of pushing back against attempts to silence them:"It's very important that we push back kasi kaya nila ginagawa yan ay para tumahimik tayo. Pag tumahimik tayo, sinusuko na natin sa kanila ‘yung ating kalayaan."
Highlighting the power and importance of the youth's voice in today's generation, Diokno urged campus journalists to "never stop speaking [the] truth." At the end, he announced that he and his law firm is willing to help campus journalists who have experienced attacks to their rights.
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲
In a compelling address, community worker and policy consultant Sarah Jane Elago highlighted the urgent need to protect journalists from intimidation and harassment as they fulfill their vital role in holding those in power accountable.
Elago expressed concern over reports of intimidation and harassment faced by individuals who "dare to speak out, question authority, and criticize those in power". She emphasized that these threats undermine the crucial role of journalists in a democratic society.
During her tenure in the 18th Congress, Elago worked to address these challenges by filing resolutions aimed at protecting the rights of journalists and defending freedom of the press. However, she asserted that these resolutions and reported cases of press freedom violations were largely ignored.
"To support all these initiatives, efforts, policies, and legislative actions, we need to strengthen direct and grassroot organizing efforts," she said.
Elago emphasized the collective responsibility to defend and preserve press freedom, holding those in power accountable and safeguarding the integrity of journalism in the country.
𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺
With the prevalent attacks and harassment faced by journalists today, Tuazon debunked the myth of neutrality by stressing that campus journalists should not be neutral but to be impartial in relaying information.
She also emphasized the importance of building a relationship with the masses and the necessity to learn their language to further widen the discussions of different sectors’ clamor or demands.
When asked by a participant for her advice to future practitioners on keeping themselves from being desensitized by the events they cover, the former campus journalist responded, “Just step back and breathe [...] Huwag nating kakalimutan ang ating mga sarili.”
“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁”
Subsequently, Ang detailed the role and meaning of alternative press and recalled her experience in the NutriAsia workers’ strike when she was one of the four journalists who were arrested and detained when she helped an elderly during one of its dispersals.
In connection with Tuazon’s topic, Ang also stressed that future practitioners should always have a firm grasp of the basic journalistic principles like being loyal to facts and objectives.
The national coordinator concluded the session by reminding the participants to “go out there beyond truth-telling.”
This is The Adamson Chronicle’s ninth installment of Plumang Bughaw and it is back to being held on-site after two years of conducting the said event online.
Article: Toni Rose Baldovino and Jhonathan Orlanda
Graphics: Cathlyn Keshel De Raya
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