Picturing our country, good politicians, people in power being humble, non corrupt president, no issue among other countries, no case of poverty, no individual suffering from hunger, no value added tax and no increasing of prices. It may look perfect but what can be more perfect and beautiful seeing our country this way, people have the freedom to speak and share their thoughts to democracy, there is no one prohibiting them to reveal what they want to reveal, no threats, no anger, no killing, free press is recognized and democracy reigns. Now, that’s perfect. But this perfect scenario is undeniably far from reality. What we have now is this, corrupt president, not so reliable government officials, constantly increasing of prices, poverty is noticeable, food suffrage, mass voices can’t be heard by the people in power, press receiving death threats, strong press being killed and democracy being weak.
In the book, “Democracy in Development Countries: Asia” (1989), Diamond, Linz and Lipset defined democracy as a system of government that meets three conditions: meaningful and extensive competition among individuals and groups for all effective governmental positions at regular intervals and without the use of force; a high level of political participation; and the freedom necessary to assure the integrity of political competition. The main point of what Diamond, Linz and Lipset has defined Democracy is that democracy is a need to understand more the government and for the citizen to learn how to practice their own freedom.
Strong democracy, every countries aim. Weak press is more acceptable by many. But isn’t it ironic that in our country, the Philippines, we have that media people or press that are strong and our should-have-to-be-strong democracy has come the other way around; we are experiencing our democracy the unacceptable way, it being weak. As regards to this argument, the history of media times can prove how the press remains strong after what the people, government and politics have brought to them. One good example of this is the killing and murdering of some reporters/broadcasters that time. Not only can we observe the media being strong in past time but also recently. Though this has been already a topic such a long time ago, this conflict remains incurable.
Reality speaks the most and history says it all. As regards with the history, there are many proofs that make the fact Strong Press; Weak democracy strong and true. This paper aims to show how we can move on from the bitter-full reality and what can we do about it. In action with this, this paper reveals the different sides of random people from random sources and random happenings.
Before and even today we have experienced our democracy being weak. According to David (1998) & Osias (1934), there have been many instances that the usually vocal Catholic Church has kept silent. It just partially means that Filipinos are indeed lacking the democracy that is actually theirs. Because of our weak democracy, it came to the point that being weak is not applicable to us, Filipinos because we have strong heroes, there is Mabini, Rizal, Bonifacio and many more. They fight for our freedom, they fight for our rights while us, simple democracy, and we cannot even give to ourselves. With this realization, I can say that Filipinos are afraid. Afraid of the consequences what they’re action might bring to them. To achieve a better country, we must move on and strive hard for the best. We cannot just wait and stare until she gives back our democracy, we should do some action, we must fight for our rights, fight for our freedom. We must reveal that heroism in each of us.
Stated from the book Continuity of Freedom,
“Their quality of leadership – service to others- has changed the lives of many, and I believe it is this same leadership that will lift all Asia in the new century that is approaching.”
This part of the stated book tackles about the leadership and quiet heroism. How our heroes lead us to a better life by protecting us in the form of their quiet heroism and leadership. But, unfortunately, the leadership in them is not found in many Filipinos in the present century. The leadership that they acquire has not been passed to the Filipinos today for some reason I don’t know. And because of this, I think that, that heroism, that quality of leadership and service to others that has effectively changed the lives of many is already gone. They are already gone when in fact it is all that we need for the new century that is fast approaching. Without these, can we, Filipinos imagine how can we live in the next years and can what blessing in our country can the next generation point out? There’s none. Absolutely none. Heroism and Leadership are not in our hands anymore. But no one will give it back to us so we have to strive hard, take so many steps forward, do all what we have to do and get it back. We’ll bring it back to our country for the upcoming years, for the upcoming generations.
In the Philippines, there are many instances that can prove the fact that we are definitely suffering from lack of democracy. One example is that of during the reign of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when the “Hello, Garci” tape has been revealed. She admits that she has something to do with this but even though her citizens impeach and do many rally’s there still no effect because the mass has no voice in the eyes of the powerful people, what they heard, comes in one ear and through the other. Where is the democracy in that case? Clearly, we don’t have it; they have it, the powerful people have it and they won’t give it to us unless we, the mass, as one, fight. And by as one, I mean all, not some. Because if the Philippines is against that little girl, then we have a better chance to win but if that little girl can pay you, and you, weak creature who also want to have your democracy, is getting that money that little girl gives you, then my pity is on you.(Celdran, 2005)
“We may not win a Magsaysay Award ourselves, but every good we do by striving to help our communities will also be a sterling achievement in its own way.” --Fidel V. Ramos, Continuity of Freedom, 1998
Having the leadership back, heroism is well is not as easy as ABC or as simple as 123. Getting it requires a long road process and for that process to succeed eventually there is that someone who have to lead, someone who has to start that changing act. Even a simple vendor, if s/he is willing to then a/he will and s/he can. Starting the act, even though you might think that why can’t other people do it for you? Why do you have to wait when you are already thinking of it today? Why don’t you do it today rather than waste your time waiting for that someone to make the move when you, yourselves has already think of that thought earlier. As a concern citizen, you must voice out what you are thinking and processed what you are visualizing, you must not be afraid that others might not follow you, that others might curse you or laugh at you. If you think you are right and what you will do is for the good and for good of others, then do what you have to do. Don’t let something or anything affects you, don’t let any hindrances get into your way. Don’t wait for any reward before you start, don’t wait for the country to suffer more before making any actions. Doing the good for all is an achievement, a very bright one, a one time big time achievement.
“Nearly 60 Filipino journalists have been killed in the line of duty since 1986, by any measure a high casualty count. The Philippines is now next to Iraq as the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. The breakdown of law and order is partly responsible, allowing the killers of media people to get away with their crime. Unsurprisingly, such impunity only encourages further attacks.”-(Coronel, 2006)
Aside from the countries weak democracy, strong press and media is also an undying issue. This became an issue when in the history of media most especially in the history of journalism; we are not illiterate of the fact that many media people such as broadcasters, writers, reporters and journalists are being kidnapped or worst, murdered. They are being killed because some people, the issues, exposes, unflattering information or even criticisms that the writers write, reporters report, are in power and they don’t want the news that has been published or aired. Because of this, they will do anything to make that reporter keep quiet and if the reporter is not receiving any payment for him/her to get back his/her words, the people in power have no choice but to kill the media person. This fact has also been strengthened by Fr. Antonio Piñon Tiana, OP (1996) in his book, entitled, The Freedom of the Press.
One perfect example of this is what happened in early 2009 to Cess Drilon of ABS-CBN News Broadcast Team. She had been kidnapped because the group that has been the topic of her expose didn’t like the information that Cess has informed the mass. Fortunately, the group has not hurt Drilon and they have released her after some time. In Drilon’s case, she is lucky not to be killed by the group compared to Pagadian City’s, Olimpio Jalapit. Jalapit is one of the examples that can support the fact that our country lacks protection for the journalists and the press. Jalapit, a journalist was gunned down in the year 2002. Before this, He had experienced receiving death threats and had been warned to tone down his reportage apparently because He had stepped on the foot of powerful people. (David, 2006)
In spite of this dilemma, instead of being afraid and write all positive things about these powerful people, journalists remain strong and fierce. Journalists need no to be helpless in the face of such attacks. They still do their work even though their lives are near the cliff of death, they remain to bring the news to the world, they still do their work fairly and not only for the sake of the powerful peoples. The press has not thought twice to play their role as the fourth estate, to deliver and interpret news to ordinary people, even though there are many threats. I believe that this is the press’ preparation for the future, towards the better press. This action just justifies what is stated in the book, The Press in Modern Society by Hornby (1965).
According to Santos J. (2007) & Avecilla V. (2007), Philippine Media in general hardly contribute to grassroots participation and democratic culture. When in fact According to Ramos, F. (1998), the press will play a big role on the building of a better world in the 21st century, This can therefore prove that the media or press is a big star on the next generation scenes. The press can help to make our world a better one in the next centuries because of the fact that, the press are always exposed to the problems of our country, they always see what’s wrong and what are we lacking. Before ordinary people can say that “this issue is bad” or the likes, the press has already think of a solution to that because they are the one who transmits the message from the powerful people to the ordinary people. Although, the press is not making big actions in improving our country in spite of the problems, surely, every single soul in the press community is helping to improve the country in their own little ways. And if we merge all the help or thoughts together, no wonder we have to prepare for the upcoming better world.
In preparation to our upcoming better world, the press also needs to change, change for a better press. The press, one of the people capable in changing our country, also needs solutions on how they, themselves can improve more. The press of this country, according to Mendez: “The Press of this country must be temperate, rather than wild; uplifting, rather than degrading. It must sweep public opinion not enlightened thought. Unless the Press does this, the measure of black deeds in the country will forever run high.”
“Government officials who feel they will be held accountable by challenges from an honest experienced reporter will be cautious in the claims they make and the “reforms” they push. However, those officials who feel they are dealing with reporters who can be misled or hand fed will engage in the maximum in oversimplifications and deceptions that they can use without being held up to ridicule.”—Mollenhoff, 1981
The latter statement also reveals how the powerful people and most of them are government officials use their power in a not so good way. They abuse those reporters that are weak and they know that will get their money. And at the same time, they target those reporters whom they know are experienced and wise enough to not accept their proposals, if ever there is.
These happenings and experience make the reporters much stronger and more respectable and at the same time, making us, ordinary people, have faith in them and the news that they delivered.
One example given example to support the fact that the press is strong and we have weak democracy is the airing a certain show which encourages Filipino people to speak up at to fight for their freedom, democracy or whatever they’re fighting for, “Hoy! Gising!” a show aired in the television mainly by ABS-CBN in the year 1992. The show as said earlier is aired by the press and media people to encourage the mass to fight for their rights and wake up from the nightmare that the country is experiencing. Also, this show aims to bring back the democracy to the Filipinos as how they deserve for it. This is a great example on how the strong press is helping the Filipinos to get back what they deserve, a strong democracy, not the weak one. (Coronel, 1996)
Press being strong does not always focus on targeting the government, politicians and people upholding power. An example of the media being strong in some other ways is the launching of the new tabloid, Abante, born in the post-edsa publishing bloom. The tabloid was a big hit and made a name for by its own and carved its own spot in the history of tabloid journalism. The said tabloid has produce many memorable issue that settled on the mind of the readers like the tabloid had their headlines such as “Walong kandidato sa Senado Bakla (Eight Senatorial Candidates are Gay).” Because of this, the mass/ordinary people has recognized the tabloid and the press behind it as a strong one and are not afraid of what other citizen who will be able to real the selection might say. (Alibutud, 1995)
As many people know, tabloid journalism has a not so good aftermath to the ordinary people. They see tabloid news papers as trash and it shows only for garbage news, celebrity issues and some nude photos but regardless of this fact, tabloid papers are still newspapers. And newspapers bring you news to inform you. Ordinary people kept criticizing what is in the tabloid paper, they laugh, they react and whatever yet, how can you laugh, criticize, react if you did not buy it? So, bottom line is, whatever you say bad about these newspapers, the fact that it informs you what you have to know or you want to know. And you, ordinary people, trust them. You trust the newspapers, trusting the people behind the newspapers and giving them trust much more encourage them to give you the news you deserve, reliable and clean news. (David, 1997)
Being strong does not always mean that it is in a positive way. Sometimes the press being strong affects the country negatively. I can say this because of what I have observed before and still today. In spite of the fact that there are strong journalists who are not accepting money to write good and positive things about a certain person, usually powerful or one in the government, there are also ‘strong’ journalists who are accepting good amount for them to write a good article to clean the name of an individual or group. These journalists are strong in a way that they are not afraid to get caught or to be criticized by their co-journalists. They are strong in a very not so good way. They reveal their professionalism in writing by being un-professional in the act of receiving payments from those people in power.
In the book, “Democracy in Development Countries: Asia” (1989), Diamond, Linz and Lipset defined democracy as a system of government that meets three conditions: meaningful and extensive competition among individuals and groups for all effective governmental positions at regular intervals and without the use of force; a high level of political participation; and the freedom necessary to assure the integrity of political competition. The main point of what Diamond, Linz and Lipset has defined Democracy is that democracy is a need to understand more the government and for the citizen to learn how to practice their own freedom.
Strong democracy, every countries aim. Weak press is more acceptable by many. But isn’t it ironic that in our country, the Philippines, we have that media people or press that are strong and our should-have-to-be-strong democracy has come the other way around; we are experiencing our democracy the unacceptable way, it being weak. As regards to this argument, the history of media times can prove how the press remains strong after what the people, government and politics have brought to them. One good example of this is the killing and murdering of some reporters/broadcasters that time. Not only can we observe the media being strong in past time but also recently. Though this has been already a topic such a long time ago, this conflict remains incurable.
Reality speaks the most and history says it all. As regards with the history, there are many proofs that make the fact Strong Press; Weak democracy strong and true. This paper aims to show how we can move on from the bitter-full reality and what can we do about it. In action with this, this paper reveals the different sides of random people from random sources and random happenings.
Before and even today we have experienced our democracy being weak. According to David (1998) & Osias (1934), there have been many instances that the usually vocal Catholic Church has kept silent. It just partially means that Filipinos are indeed lacking the democracy that is actually theirs. Because of our weak democracy, it came to the point that being weak is not applicable to us, Filipinos because we have strong heroes, there is Mabini, Rizal, Bonifacio and many more. They fight for our freedom, they fight for our rights while us, simple democracy, and we cannot even give to ourselves. With this realization, I can say that Filipinos are afraid. Afraid of the consequences what they’re action might bring to them. To achieve a better country, we must move on and strive hard for the best. We cannot just wait and stare until she gives back our democracy, we should do some action, we must fight for our rights, fight for our freedom. We must reveal that heroism in each of us.
Stated from the book Continuity of Freedom,
“Their quality of leadership – service to others- has changed the lives of many, and I believe it is this same leadership that will lift all Asia in the new century that is approaching.”
This part of the stated book tackles about the leadership and quiet heroism. How our heroes lead us to a better life by protecting us in the form of their quiet heroism and leadership. But, unfortunately, the leadership in them is not found in many Filipinos in the present century. The leadership that they acquire has not been passed to the Filipinos today for some reason I don’t know. And because of this, I think that, that heroism, that quality of leadership and service to others that has effectively changed the lives of many is already gone. They are already gone when in fact it is all that we need for the new century that is fast approaching. Without these, can we, Filipinos imagine how can we live in the next years and can what blessing in our country can the next generation point out? There’s none. Absolutely none. Heroism and Leadership are not in our hands anymore. But no one will give it back to us so we have to strive hard, take so many steps forward, do all what we have to do and get it back. We’ll bring it back to our country for the upcoming years, for the upcoming generations.
In the Philippines, there are many instances that can prove the fact that we are definitely suffering from lack of democracy. One example is that of during the reign of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, when the “Hello, Garci” tape has been revealed. She admits that she has something to do with this but even though her citizens impeach and do many rally’s there still no effect because the mass has no voice in the eyes of the powerful people, what they heard, comes in one ear and through the other. Where is the democracy in that case? Clearly, we don’t have it; they have it, the powerful people have it and they won’t give it to us unless we, the mass, as one, fight. And by as one, I mean all, not some. Because if the Philippines is against that little girl, then we have a better chance to win but if that little girl can pay you, and you, weak creature who also want to have your democracy, is getting that money that little girl gives you, then my pity is on you.(Celdran, 2005)
“We may not win a Magsaysay Award ourselves, but every good we do by striving to help our communities will also be a sterling achievement in its own way.” --Fidel V. Ramos, Continuity of Freedom, 1998
Having the leadership back, heroism is well is not as easy as ABC or as simple as 123. Getting it requires a long road process and for that process to succeed eventually there is that someone who have to lead, someone who has to start that changing act. Even a simple vendor, if s/he is willing to then a/he will and s/he can. Starting the act, even though you might think that why can’t other people do it for you? Why do you have to wait when you are already thinking of it today? Why don’t you do it today rather than waste your time waiting for that someone to make the move when you, yourselves has already think of that thought earlier. As a concern citizen, you must voice out what you are thinking and processed what you are visualizing, you must not be afraid that others might not follow you, that others might curse you or laugh at you. If you think you are right and what you will do is for the good and for good of others, then do what you have to do. Don’t let something or anything affects you, don’t let any hindrances get into your way. Don’t wait for any reward before you start, don’t wait for the country to suffer more before making any actions. Doing the good for all is an achievement, a very bright one, a one time big time achievement.
“Nearly 60 Filipino journalists have been killed in the line of duty since 1986, by any measure a high casualty count. The Philippines is now next to Iraq as the most dangerous country in the world for journalists. The breakdown of law and order is partly responsible, allowing the killers of media people to get away with their crime. Unsurprisingly, such impunity only encourages further attacks.”-(Coronel, 2006)
Aside from the countries weak democracy, strong press and media is also an undying issue. This became an issue when in the history of media most especially in the history of journalism; we are not illiterate of the fact that many media people such as broadcasters, writers, reporters and journalists are being kidnapped or worst, murdered. They are being killed because some people, the issues, exposes, unflattering information or even criticisms that the writers write, reporters report, are in power and they don’t want the news that has been published or aired. Because of this, they will do anything to make that reporter keep quiet and if the reporter is not receiving any payment for him/her to get back his/her words, the people in power have no choice but to kill the media person. This fact has also been strengthened by Fr. Antonio Piñon Tiana, OP (1996) in his book, entitled, The Freedom of the Press.
One perfect example of this is what happened in early 2009 to Cess Drilon of ABS-CBN News Broadcast Team. She had been kidnapped because the group that has been the topic of her expose didn’t like the information that Cess has informed the mass. Fortunately, the group has not hurt Drilon and they have released her after some time. In Drilon’s case, she is lucky not to be killed by the group compared to Pagadian City’s, Olimpio Jalapit. Jalapit is one of the examples that can support the fact that our country lacks protection for the journalists and the press. Jalapit, a journalist was gunned down in the year 2002. Before this, He had experienced receiving death threats and had been warned to tone down his reportage apparently because He had stepped on the foot of powerful people. (David, 2006)
In spite of this dilemma, instead of being afraid and write all positive things about these powerful people, journalists remain strong and fierce. Journalists need no to be helpless in the face of such attacks. They still do their work even though their lives are near the cliff of death, they remain to bring the news to the world, they still do their work fairly and not only for the sake of the powerful peoples. The press has not thought twice to play their role as the fourth estate, to deliver and interpret news to ordinary people, even though there are many threats. I believe that this is the press’ preparation for the future, towards the better press. This action just justifies what is stated in the book, The Press in Modern Society by Hornby (1965).
According to Santos J. (2007) & Avecilla V. (2007), Philippine Media in general hardly contribute to grassroots participation and democratic culture. When in fact According to Ramos, F. (1998), the press will play a big role on the building of a better world in the 21st century, This can therefore prove that the media or press is a big star on the next generation scenes. The press can help to make our world a better one in the next centuries because of the fact that, the press are always exposed to the problems of our country, they always see what’s wrong and what are we lacking. Before ordinary people can say that “this issue is bad” or the likes, the press has already think of a solution to that because they are the one who transmits the message from the powerful people to the ordinary people. Although, the press is not making big actions in improving our country in spite of the problems, surely, every single soul in the press community is helping to improve the country in their own little ways. And if we merge all the help or thoughts together, no wonder we have to prepare for the upcoming better world.
In preparation to our upcoming better world, the press also needs to change, change for a better press. The press, one of the people capable in changing our country, also needs solutions on how they, themselves can improve more. The press of this country, according to Mendez: “The Press of this country must be temperate, rather than wild; uplifting, rather than degrading. It must sweep public opinion not enlightened thought. Unless the Press does this, the measure of black deeds in the country will forever run high.”
“Government officials who feel they will be held accountable by challenges from an honest experienced reporter will be cautious in the claims they make and the “reforms” they push. However, those officials who feel they are dealing with reporters who can be misled or hand fed will engage in the maximum in oversimplifications and deceptions that they can use without being held up to ridicule.”—Mollenhoff, 1981
The latter statement also reveals how the powerful people and most of them are government officials use their power in a not so good way. They abuse those reporters that are weak and they know that will get their money. And at the same time, they target those reporters whom they know are experienced and wise enough to not accept their proposals, if ever there is.
These happenings and experience make the reporters much stronger and more respectable and at the same time, making us, ordinary people, have faith in them and the news that they delivered.
One example given example to support the fact that the press is strong and we have weak democracy is the airing a certain show which encourages Filipino people to speak up at to fight for their freedom, democracy or whatever they’re fighting for, “Hoy! Gising!” a show aired in the television mainly by ABS-CBN in the year 1992. The show as said earlier is aired by the press and media people to encourage the mass to fight for their rights and wake up from the nightmare that the country is experiencing. Also, this show aims to bring back the democracy to the Filipinos as how they deserve for it. This is a great example on how the strong press is helping the Filipinos to get back what they deserve, a strong democracy, not the weak one. (Coronel, 1996)
Press being strong does not always focus on targeting the government, politicians and people upholding power. An example of the media being strong in some other ways is the launching of the new tabloid, Abante, born in the post-edsa publishing bloom. The tabloid was a big hit and made a name for by its own and carved its own spot in the history of tabloid journalism. The said tabloid has produce many memorable issue that settled on the mind of the readers like the tabloid had their headlines such as “Walong kandidato sa Senado Bakla (Eight Senatorial Candidates are Gay).” Because of this, the mass/ordinary people has recognized the tabloid and the press behind it as a strong one and are not afraid of what other citizen who will be able to real the selection might say. (Alibutud, 1995)
As many people know, tabloid journalism has a not so good aftermath to the ordinary people. They see tabloid news papers as trash and it shows only for garbage news, celebrity issues and some nude photos but regardless of this fact, tabloid papers are still newspapers. And newspapers bring you news to inform you. Ordinary people kept criticizing what is in the tabloid paper, they laugh, they react and whatever yet, how can you laugh, criticize, react if you did not buy it? So, bottom line is, whatever you say bad about these newspapers, the fact that it informs you what you have to know or you want to know. And you, ordinary people, trust them. You trust the newspapers, trusting the people behind the newspapers and giving them trust much more encourage them to give you the news you deserve, reliable and clean news. (David, 1997)
Being strong does not always mean that it is in a positive way. Sometimes the press being strong affects the country negatively. I can say this because of what I have observed before and still today. In spite of the fact that there are strong journalists who are not accepting money to write good and positive things about a certain person, usually powerful or one in the government, there are also ‘strong’ journalists who are accepting good amount for them to write a good article to clean the name of an individual or group. These journalists are strong in a way that they are not afraid to get caught or to be criticized by their co-journalists. They are strong in a very not so good way. They reveal their professionalism in writing by being un-professional in the act of receiving payments from those people in power.
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