(“Role Of Media” image from PTV News, ptvnews.ph)
Ms Inez speaks of media’s accepted role. Which is not
acceptable to me!
I write based on a self-taught & self-styled journalism
born 16 April 1975 starting employment by the Forest
Research Institute (FORI), based in the campus of UP Los Baños, where I became
the Founder & Editor In Chief of
FORI’s monthly newsletter Canopy, quarterly technical journal Sylvatrop, and quarterly color magazine Habitat.
Thinking
back with what Ms Inez just said, 47 years ago I was “speaking truth to people without
power!” Was my journalism less?
I quote Ms Inez’ first paragraph in full:
Freedom of speech is
invoked so carelessly, it has become wrongly equated with speaking without
accountability. Of equal concern, given recent events, is press freedom. Press
freedom, however, is not simply allowing lies to flourish in the media. True
freedom rests on the journalistic responsibilities of adhering to ethical
standards, objective collection of data, and speaking truth to power.
Others, media for justice: “We seek to change the media to
transform democracy to realize a just society” – Craig Arron & Jessica J Gonzalez, Co-CEO, Free Press (2003? freepress.net).
Me, Media for
development: The journalism I have practiced for 47 years is Development Journalism: “Communication for Village Development in the
21st Century (CoViD21).”
If
your journalism does not support social development, I will not support it!
Janet Steele, in her book
Encyclopedia of Journalism, explains it (2009, Editor: Christopher H
Sterling, academia.edu):
Development journalism
is a type of reporting and writing on topics related to the process of economic
development. Its supporters define it as independent journalism that highlights
news of development projects, provides critical coverage of development
planning and programs, and informs readers of how the development process is
affecting them.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha says, “The press and public must unite… [It is] important for
all to proceed with reforms and move the country forward” (30 June 2022, “PM
Coy On Political Future, Cultivates Media,” Bangkok
Post, bangkokpost.com).
That is so important I want to repeat it boldly:
“It
is important for all to proceed with reforms and move the country forward” – Prayut Chan-O-Cha.
The
Prime Minister of Thailand understands the proper role of journalism but not the
Thai journalists themselves!
In his inaugural speech, among other things President Ferdinand “BBM” Marcos Jr said:
When my call for unity
started to resonate with you, it did so because it echoed your yearning,
mirrored your sentiments, and expressed your hopes for family, for country and
for a better future.
Journalists,
take a cue from BBM on what your journalism is best for: “for family, for
country and for a better future.”
“All
media for the good of all!”@517
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