The FREEMAN bags 2 coveted awards

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu news source The FREEMAN snared awards for Best in Photojournalism and Best in Editorial Page (daily category) at the recent Civic Journalism Community Press Awards of the Philippine Press Institute, the biggest association of newspapers in the country.

The awards were given for the outstanding work of community newspapers in 2019.

The awarding ceremony, traditionally held mid-year, was done on a virtual platform for the first time last December 7 because of disruptions caused by the pandemic.

The FREEMAN managing editor Lucky Malicay expressed thanks to the PPI, saying “the recognitions are a clear validation of The FREEMAN’s undying service to the Cebuanos.”

“We will continue to engage in quality and good journalism as part of our commitment to honor public trust and support,” Malicay added.

In picking The FREEMAN as Best in Photojournalism, the judges noted the paper’s “consistency in publishing photos on a daily basis, having diverse subjects with very good composition and quality striking images in every issue.”

The judges also voted the paper Best in Editorial Page for running editorials that “cover a wide range of topics – from very relevant community issues to news of national interest.”

“The FREEMAN not only informs its local readers but also opens up their horizon so that the see dimensions to the news as they also keep abreast with developments elsewhere,” they said.

Bryan Roy Padilla, the paper’s Opinion editor, thanked the organizers for acknowledging the paper’s effort in defining its own stance on relevant and contentious issues.

“An editorial can accomplish several purposes, like to inform, clarify, put forward suggestions, or even just get people talking about something. But what we generally consider when we write editorials is that we want to present our take or our stand on a particular idea, issue, or event as clearly and concisely as possible,” Padilla said.

“Even as we do this, we don’t necessarily seek to convince readers to see things from our view exclusively, but rather explain how and why we see some things the way we do. We would like to thank PPI for this particular honor,” he added.

During the awarding, Jose Bayani Baylon, vice president of Nickel Asia Corporation, one of PPI’s long-standing partners, stressed the important role of community journalists during a pandemic.

“Only a well-informed public is able to make wise decisions, which in turn are at the heart of good governance in our country. At a time of a pandemic when millions of our people are afraid and lots of misinformation abound, it is critical for the media to play a coming role by providing our public with sources of information they know they can trust,” Baylon said.

Touted as the country’s longest-running regional newspaper, The FREEMAN has been in existence for 101 years now. It marked its centenary in 2019.

Over the years, the paper has earned numerous accolades from several award-giving bodies in testament to its fair and fearless reporting.

The PPI has put The FREEMAN in the Hall of Fame for being the Philippine Community Newspaper of all time after raking in awards from the organization, including best local daily, best in environmental reporting, best in science and technology reporting, best edited newspaper, best editorial page, best in newspaper design, and best in historical-cultural reporting. — JMD (FREEMAN)