In defense of free expression and press freedom

Students of Mass Communication are convinced that the press, indeed, is considered the fourth estate. Who does not know the cliche which says that "the press is the watchdog of the society?"

All right.

But where is that media freedom these days?

Proclamation no. 1017 (declaration of STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY) is curtailing the freedom of expression in this supposedly democratic country. The raid of an opposition paper, the Daily Tribune, and the tight watch of the military on media agencies are indications of suppression of press freedom.

Let me quote an open letter sent to Pres. GMA by Ann Cooper, executive director of the US-based committee to protect Journalists:

Democracy in the Philippines has been threatened in the years

since the 1986 revolution, but no administration has used the

restrictive means your government has taken. It's deeply

disturbing to see political unrest threaten the precious and

deeply held concepts of press freedom and democracy.*

This proclamation reminds me of former president Joseph Estrada who was then very "hot" on the media. I never knew GMA could be worse than Erap in terms of how they treat the media. Haven't they realized that assault on press freedom could just make our political and even economic situation worse?

What are we, teachers of Mass communication, supposed to teach the students now? That freedom of the press isn't absolute because the President of the Republic can, at any time desired, jeopardize media freedom in order to advance her own political agenda?

*Associated Press (Feb. 28, 2006). Press watchdog calls RP emergency threat to democracy. Available: www.inq7.net.

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