2002 May - Tba Season Promo Article

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 Yorkbased 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 [email protected].