World Press Freedom Day: Let us Celebrate

By NUJP

Tomorrow, May 3, is World Press Freedom Day.

Tomorrow, let us not forget how the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has, through sins of commission and omission, laid waste to press freedom and freedom of expression in this country.

Let us not forget that the nine years Arroyo has reigned have been the most murderous for the Philippine media.

Let us not forget that of the 137 journalists and media workers murdered since 1986, 100 were slain under this administration, 32 of them in the November 23 Ampatuan massacre, the worst single attack on the media ever.

Let us not forget that it was under this administration that the Philippines officially became the most murderous for journalists in the world.

Let us not forget that this is the only administration since the Marcos dictatorship that has actually attempted a wholesale clampdown on the press when Arroyo declared a state of national emergency in 2006.

Let us not forget that this is the only administration since the Marcos dictatorship whose security forces have openly branded media organizations as "enemies of the state."

Let us not forget the 46 journalists slapped with libel cases by Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel, in a brazen abuse of his influence.

Let us not forget the more than 50 journalists unceremoniously cuffed and hauled to jail for the crime of practicing their profession when they covered the Manila Peninsula siege in 2007.

Let us not forget Congress's shameless attempt to control news content through the Right of Reply Bill even as it killed the Freedom of Information Bill and tried to pull a fast one by crafting a bill that is far worse than the already draconian libel law in existence.

Tomorrow, let us commemorate World Press Freedom Day and, yes, let us celebrate it as well. For if the Philippine media are free, it is no thanks to this administration but because Filipino journalists have chosen to be free. Let us celebrate as well the unprecedented unity the media community has found in the face of the continuing threats.

Just as important, let us commemorate World Press Freedom Day with a solemn vow to make this and all other administrations that would seek to trample on the freedom of the press and of free expression accountable.

Let us wear black.

Let us roll a black runner or runner with black ribbon in the lower thirds of tv newscasts, or reserve a black space in the first page of print and online news with text that says, “Today, as we observe world press freedom day, let us remember all media practitioners killed with impunity and vow to fight until justice is achieved."

Let us observe a minute of silence in newsrooms, radio booths, beats, coverages, meetings or assemblies when the clock strikes at 6 pm. For those who cannot attend the different media gatherings, light candles outside media offices.

Let us gather at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani to say a prayer, offer songs and light torches and candles to remember fallen colleagues at 5:30 pm.

NOTE: NUJP CHAPTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, TOGETHER WITH OTHER LOCAL MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS, WILL BE HOLDING ACTIVITIES TO COMMEMORATE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY. KINDLY COORDINATE WITH LOCAL NUJP OFFICERS AND MEMBERS FOR DETAILS. SALAMAT!

PHILIP JAMES MONGAYA TREMEDALCALL OR TEXT ME : E-MAIL ME : pjtremedal@gmail.comvisit my website: www.mindanao-online.tk