World’s state of the press causes refocusing

of local award-giving body (TBAward-Philippines)

By Jofti A. Villena

Just a recap of the year that was, the state of the press worldwide had been experiencing
turmoil—threat both from the external and internal sources.

From the editor’s note of the Philippine Journalism Review as stated by the New York-
based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), there is an increase of journalists killed, eight of
which were killed in Afghanistan. While another advocacy group, Reporters sans Frontiers
(RSF) was more alarmed with the number of journalists imprisoned, physically attacked and
“censured.”

As in the case of internal threats, more newspapers, radio and television stations even
online publications not only here in the Philippines but worldwide are either closing down or
downsizing, leaving journalists out into the streets.

An event, which highlighted the oppressive acts done against press freedom, was the
closure of Bombo Radyo DZNC recently (PDI, March 18, 2002). The Social Action Center of
the Diocese of Ilagan expressed in a one-page public announcement its condemnation about the
closure of the station by the Mayor of Cauayan City. There had been instances wherein Bombo
Radyo DZNC stood for righteousness, honesty and truthfulness, which may have been the causes
of its closure. It exposed the existence of jueteng, election irregularities and anomalies in
different parts of Isabela. With this, “the voice of truth in the Province of Isabela is silenced and
the people are deprived of reliable, fearless and uncompromising journalism.”

Indeed, hard times are up ahead. With all these threats plus the Mindanao issue on the
frontline affecting the Philippines as a whole, journalists are in for some serious work and
cleaning up, likewise, media is immersed into a series of test that would validate its ability to
maintain a positive role in the peacekeeping efforts.

History proves it that the press has been subjected to numerous threats in the past. During
the rise of Adolph Hitler, racist philosophy gained dominance but was condemned by the
Catholic Church and press. Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest/journalist, defended press
freedom and encourage newspaper people to stand firm and refuse to publish lies and
propaganda, which cost him his life.

It is within these contexts where the firm convictions of Titus Brandsma applies—the
challenge of not compromising what is propagated as “true” or “factual” and to strive for a just
society through defending the peoples’ right to education and freedom of speech.

Thus, the Board of the Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines saw the need to redirect its
focus, which will go beyond the traditional objectives and stereotyped award giving. In response
to this need, the Board formulated their decision as follows:

“It is the challenge of bringing forth this year to national attention young but courageous
journalists of the South who deserved more than applause, more than recognition from the
society for the quality service they are rendering to the Filipino people in their continuous
struggle for TRUTH. Their unselfish desire to uplift the plight of the Filipino citizenry from the
bond of ignorance and grief takes more than a cash stipend to pay all these.”

Theme will be “Journalists of the South: A Challenge in Crisis.

The Titus Brandsma Award-Philippines is the country’s version to the International Titus
Brandsma Award given by the Union Catholique Internationale de la Presse (UCIP), the World
Forum of professionals in secular and religious media. The initiator of said award is the
congregation of the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines, a biennial project of their media
ministry.

Qualified print and broadcast journalists must be Mindanao-based or by nature a

Mindanaoan, supported by the following documents:

A filled-up nomination form (58-1A) and a brief description of the candidates

career highlights.

Reasons for nominating the candidate.

Five (5) copies of the candidate’s work from November 2000-May 2002 (18
months) tackling various issues including the Mindanao peace crisis as part of
their recent works/productions.

Two photographs of the candidates for eventual publication.

Nominations must be submitted by any media organizations, NGOs/POs, religious groups

or a member of the Carmelite family. Self-nominations will not be entertained and nominees
may not be necessarily Catholics.

Jury members are two Carmelite priests, CEO of a major radio station in Mindanao and a
moro.

Deadline for the submission of entries is on May 27, 2002. Winners will be formally
announced on October during the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). For further details,
contact TBC-Media at 726-7763/721-8677 (telefax) or e-mail tbcmedia@csi.com.ph.