The myth of Philippine press freedom

I have always been a critic of irresponsible and” envelopmental” journalism. At the same time, I have always been a strong advocate of the freedom of the press and freedom of speech as essential building blocks for democracy.

Last year, an international organization called Reporters Without Borders stated that there was a “deep and disturbing” decline in media freedom worldwide. There have been attacks on the media even in the so-called developed world. President Donald Trump has called media as the “enemy of the people.”

I notice that in the Philippines  there is the beginning of an attack on press freedom, claiming that this freedom is an obstacle to economic development. In the same way that past politicians  have advocated for a “guided democracy,” there are claims that media may need to be “guided” as to what stories to highlight and which stories should not be covered because it would cause “economic harm.”

Hand in hand with these attacks on press freedom is the thinking that public dissent should be considered as treason or betrayal of public trust. It is fortunate that there are still those leaders who remember the dark days of martial law and the suppression of the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech.

There have been recent reports that Vice President Leni Robredo might be impeached for airing a video message criticizing the administration’s war on drugs. Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, founding president of the PDP-Laban and former Senate President, in an interview, said: “ I’m sorry, natawa ako, (laughed). Since when has appealing or reporting to the UN become an impeachable offense?...Moreover, dapat siguro tignan nila ano nagawa ni Leni na labag sa Saligang Batas, hindi labag sa kanilang pag-iisip, (Moreover, maybe they should look into what violations of the Constitution Leni committed, not her remarks that are contrary to their views.)

Nene Pimentel is the father of the present Senate President Koko Pimentel. It was under Nene’s leadership that the PDP Laban became the principal political force opposing Marcos during the martial law years. It led  the fight for the restoration of democracy and our freedoms, including freedom of speech and freedom of the press which had been brutally suppressed during the Marcos dictatorship.

Press freedom

There are those who believe that press freedom is a luxury that only developed countries can afford. But most of the present developed countries were advocating press freedom when they were still economically backward nations.

In the United States, press freedom was enshrined in their constitution, more than 200 years ago,  when it was still a semi-literate nation. One of its Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson, at that time said: “ Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost...No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying and which we trust will end in establishing the fact that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues of truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions.”

The philosopher-writer Alexis de Tocqueville was a critic of the press. But he also wrote: “I love it [freedom of the press] out of the evils it prevents more than for the good it does.”

UNESCO has published a book called Press freedom and development. It wrote: “A free press constitutes an instrument of development as such, in the same way  as education or investment... Freedom of expression is essential to the exercise of all other rights. Without it, peoples cannot be aware of their rights and, less still secure respect for them, it is also fundamental to combating the many human rights violations across the world.”

Philippine press freedom myth

There is a myth that the Philippines has the freest press in Asia, and one of the most free in the world.”Reporters Without Borders” ranks countries in terms of press freedom which it defines in terms of the following categories and indicators:

• Pluralism. Measures the degree to which opinions are represented in the media.

• Media independence. Measures the degree to which the media are able to function independently of sources of political, governmental, business and religious power and influence.

• Environment and self censorship. Analyzes the environment in which news and information providers operate.

• Legislative framework. Measures the impact of the legislative framework governing news and information activities.

• Transparency. Measures the transparency of the institutions and procedures that affect the production of news and information.

• Infrastructure. Measures the quality of the infrastructure that supports the production of news and information.

• Abuses. Measures the level of abuses and violence against journalists and media.

In the 2016, World Press Freedom Index released its index which “reflects the intensity of the attacks on journalistic freedom and independence by governments, ideologies and private sector interests.” The Philippines ranked 138th out of 180 countries surveyed. The lower the score, the higher the level of press freedom. Here are some comparative scores vis-a-vis the Philippines: Taiwan 24.35; Papua New Guinea 25.81; Hong Kong 28.5; South Korea 28.58; Japan 28.67; Cambodia 40.70; Indonesia 41.72; India 43.17; Thailand 44.53; PHILIPPINES 44.66.

A sensational press does not mean there is a free press. The very low press freedom ranking means that the struggle for press freedom in the Philippines has not ended. It still has a long way to go.

Summer creative writing classes for kids and teens

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on April  1, 8, 22, 29, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3 (1:30 pm-3 pm).  Wonder of Words Workshop (6 sessions) on May 8, 10, 12, 15, 17 and 19 (1:30-3:30 pm for 8-12 years old/ 4-6 pm for 13-17 years old).  Classes at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street. For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

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