IN these times of crisis and multiple disputes of what is true or false, only one stands tall: Journalism. While opinions or statements from different figures spread like wildfire, journalism is present and resolved with its purpose—to seek and report the truth to the people. Despite people’s remarks that some news outlets have their own political agenda, journalism remains unbiased and fair, no matter how the current politics ridicules Filipinos.

Journalists are always the ones who observe and report different events, from entertainment to the most controversial materials they may be assigned to, their professionalism and integrity persist. In our democratic country, they serve as watchdogs: stubbornly loud and always barking at trees that threaten the Filipinos’ freedom.

Journalism in the Philippines was introduced way earlier in our history and has become one of the tools that gave us the freedom we are now enjoying, such as La Solidaridad. The newspaper demanded reforms under Spanish rule, which started the idea of Filipino independence from the Spanish colony. Other historical press outlets were La Libertad, which was known to be the first to exercise press freedom under the Philippine republic but was closed down due to late President Emilio Aguinaldo’s fear of being criticized. What followed was La Independencia, a revolutionary newspaper and a revival of La Solidaridad that speaks for the Filipinos and national sovereignty. 

During the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship, many media outlets and journalists such as Teodoro Locsin, Sr., publisher of the Philippine Free Press, Chino Roces, publisher of Manila Times, Juan Mercado, Luis Beltran, and Amando Doronila were shut down or worse, arrested and imprisoned, simply for speaking the truth through their criticisms against Marcos Sr.’s administration. Marcos controlled the information that people had access to, making democracy a pawn with this power.

Ten years ago, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term was also one that silently shook fearless journalists, wherein he declared that corrupt journalists who were paid are legitimate targets for assassination, labeling them as ‘son of a bitch’ during his inaugural address. One of Duterte’s critics, Pia Randa, was specifically addressed and banned during one of the presidential press conferences. He accused her of being a fake news peddler and a corrupt journalist, threatening her safety if she comes to Davao, Duterte’s turf, while Randa shared that she also received different kinds of anonymous threats. Other than this were around 22 journalists who were killed during his term. Although these events happened ten years ago, their impact continuously shapes journalists to be stronger and bolder. While former Duterte is still being held at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague since last year, the fragments that he left linger where journalists continue to thread in this shattered glass to this day.

Then only last May 13, shooting inside the Senate occurred as the “old” majority bloc of the Senate and journalists from different media outlets were trapped within its halls. For the majority bloc who claimed they were trapped inside regardless of netizens’ different takes on the said incident, then Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano insisted that it was the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who caused the incident, in hopes of serving an arrest warrant on Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a fugitive from justice who continues to not only refuse to take accountability until now but was also gone for six months and only appeared for a shakeup under ex-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. Yet, for the journalists who were inside along with them, their bravery to document events for the public in the face of potential threats did not only show their commitment but also fierce devotion to the Filipino people. 

In spite of their continuous dedication and impartiality, reporting the truth will always appear to be twisted to those who are afraid to admit it. Last June 4, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta accused journalists covering the Senate as “paid hacks” or “bayaran” which he later apologized for in a press conference on the same day. 

It may be a field that is perceived as one that simply documents and reports events, but for a democratic country to function, it must have a working free press and informed people. In the midst of partisan wars and growing public office distrust, journalism will always remain as an ally for the exploited Filipinos. Despite the criticisms, threats, and intimidation that journalism encountered throughout Filipino history—from the colonial period until today’s modern times—journalism stands, endures, and survives.