“Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault.

”
Every journalist has given the right to reveal the truth to the masses. Journalists are
given an opportunity to be influential and eye-opener to the country it serves and even
to the whole world, but this opportunity comes with great responsibility can sometimes
bring danger. But whatever ups and downs a journalist will encounter, he/she must
remain truthful and responsible transmitter of information.

Journalism in the Philippines had surpassed many struggles in order to achieve

its freedom. During the time of Spanish, American, and Japanese colonization in our
country, it is not just our land and people that suffered but also journalism. It was
controlled by the colonizers and forced to function, in accordance of what is beneficial to
them and not for the Philippines. But despite those challenges, the burning passion and
thirst for freedom of the Filipinos led them to published revolutionary newspapers such
as La Solidaridad and El Filibusterismo of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Not so long after the dark
times of journalism under colonizers, President Marcos declared Martial law. It took the
freedom of some journalists to do their job because Presidential Decree No. 36 issued
by Pres. Marcos “cancelled the franchises and permits of all mass media facilities
allegedly trying to topple his government”. And in year 2020, the considered largest and
leading media and entertainment company in our country shut down due to expiration of
company’s franchise. It happened while the country is in the middle of crisis caused by
the pandemic where press freedom and news dissemination is most needed.

Despite the conflicts and trials in journalism, it still flourishes and keeping its best
to give factual and unbiased information to the public in whatever platform journalists
and media companies could use. They are giving the masses the truth that came from
authentic sources of information. However, sometimes they are caught between the
need to tell the truth and the desire to live but a journalist must keep giving what the
public should receive, not only because it is their virtue but also their solemn obligation
to the people.

“Our liberty depends on the freedom of press, and that cannot be limited without
being lost.” By means of journalism, the public can be manipulated as they trust
journalists even more that the government. Thus, it is best that journalism should
remain faithful to their duty and never allow anyone to control them. Because the
moment they surrender their freedom, they will not be the only victims but also the
public. So I think, it should not always be the public that benefits from journalism, the
latter also needs the support of the public as its supporting foundation. They should
work together to retain the freedom of press in our country and to avoid history to repeat
itself.