Press Freedom Week

            Before Maguindanao massacre with roughly 34 members of the press  brutally killed among 55 casualties, I always thought that Philippines was the safest place in the world to live and write. The Probe Team of Cheche Lazaro and other documentary show for instance is a living testament how safe our media is. How many times  I saw as late night viewer many sensitive and incisive documentaries  as critical social  commentary, subjects too hot to handle you’d hardly pass a day probably without invoking your rights if you’re the affected concerned party. And yet the show even survived that long even it mellowed down  in her treatment of subjects today as it metamorphosed into  Profiles  today in other station.

But not anymore after that infamy of  unforgiving carnage. Ours would soon be declared  the most dangerous place for any journalist to  write in the world thereafter, very swift anathema relegating Iraq in the background, historic blot  still thriving today. When would that dirty tag be lifted up for good? It seems farfetched and unpredictable given the implacable and unabated harassment suffered by any journalist.

            It’s indeed lonely battle   any journalist is waging. Nobody enjoins you to write, notes Butch Dalisay. No one puts a gun on your head prompting you to write, he added. That  the  world even owes you nothing, is a fact known to all. But since you  like writing, then why not write as best as you could anyway, he reminded.  

Making a better world, this is the overriding principle of  Journalism.  Otherwise, why join this crusade with all the world against you if it is not for the better. The kind of society that we have now reflects the status of journalist in that area, Maria Ressa of ABS-CBN would emphasize. What now then is the media’s status  in the aftermath of  Maguindanao massacre if not that explainable. And if it is war as then veteran journalist Teddy Benigno would account the real meaning of journalism, then it’s a one-sided battle at all at the expense of a writer. For one, he is already conquered even before he fired a single shot.  Most importantly, the playing field is not level  for him as there are other fronts he should conquer first  before he could even live a decent life. More than that,  libel and or slander is hanging like Damocles’ blade ready to fall anytime any onion-skinned subject would sue him in court. Ironically, that plan of promulgating de-criminalizing Libel then Sen. Raul Rocco waged in Senate is so far still remains a plan. In sum, journalism is the toughest job there is available for any person would engage. Thankless too as he is merely used as vital cog for the  effort he does for the company. For in actuality, it’s reality  the publisher benefiting most not him the fruit of his hard labor at the end of the day.

            Hence, you want to join the organization? Then brace for the toughest job of all and expect the unexpected.  They are harassments in all varied forms.  But don’t lost heart because these are badges of honor, the many the better. As survival tips, you must have that gung-ho personality the likes of Ninoy Aquino who  accepted  job as War Correspondent during Korean war. Don’t worry if your talent in writing  is still suspect. Your editor can do that favor on you. That what exactly Max Soliven did then to Ninoy’s articles. The product was more of a collaboration with Ninoy sending the data and Soliven  repackaging them into informative write-ups. You should have that positive outlook in your trade or you’ll be wasting precious time pursuing your dream as writer. The authors of The A to Z of War Crimes, a book about excesses of contemporary war with all graphical presentations is an excellent example how journalists could go a long way extending necessary lift to the world  showing the brutality of war.  The passion too of writing must be there no matter the cost or you’ll not  survive exercising the trade at all. And as it is war, you should not be undaunted with all libel cases thrown on you.  You have to stand by it even if it means going to jail to protect your source. Libel are badges of honor. You can’t be called a grizzled journalist without experiencing or earning some.  But be sure to go in the middle through legal counsel and just swallow your pride writing a disclaimer of public apology afterall public officials are also public property.

            Many are caught in this fix and probably have been feeling sorry over this predicament in jail.  Hence, prudence should be exercised as subjects’ integrity and moral persuasion are protected by law. The urge is there to write but it should not be at the expense of the subject. Recall that Radio Bombo’s correspondent languishing in imprisonment over that burlesk king episode of Speaker Prospero Nograles. It might be that good expose’ but not until it landed that announcer in jail. It’s just unfortunate that sometimes our public officers are union-skinned that harassment is there ready to be charged at a drop of a hat.  But what could we do.  Justices in the Court  are sometimes unpredictable lot that it depends who their clients are when they promulgate a case. Marites Vitug ‘s Shadow of Doubt I think is such a compelling book vindicating the shady reality of people in Court.

            Ergo, anybody would like to join the trade. By all means, you’re welcome. But beware if you don’t have the nerve to do it your own way.  Your survival might be slim. Never mind even if the world owes you nothing when you do. Just do it anyway the best your could afterall ours is the only country we’ve got. It may not be that noblest job to take as the efforts you share far outway the dividend you’ll get. But just be true nonetheless exercising your vocation as Desiderata would say because helping making this world better place to live in, is already great legacy one could leave to his children and great grandchildren. I submit.