OPINION
Information at stake By Rafhael L. Jabongga e live in an era where information circulates around the world in real-time. This gives people access to facts with just the click of a button. However, rather than being informed, there is an increasing number of cases of disinformation. One can say that this is caused by a lack of comprehension for these targeted individuals. But a closer look at this phenomenon will tell you that it is a lack of critical assessment of the truth. In actuality, even with accessible information, many people have trouble distinguishing what is true and what is not. With this comes the role of journalism as it rights false information, puts down misleading propaganda, and refutes other black tactics. With the recent order on Rappler’s shutdown, some Filipinos rejoice because to them, it is branded as a ‘biased’ news site that is far from the facts. It is disheartening to read articles containing distorted information spreading around the internet that slanders Rappler as a credible news outlet. In an article published by the New York Times, with the increasing number of internet users recently
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Grow as we go By Reina Margaret Gwynette T. Villamor s the eldest sibling, the burden of the role model is placed on our shoulders—leaving little room for imperfections. We knew the chores to be done, problems to be addressed, and gaps to be filled. We set an example by being the perfect child, sibling, and student all at once. In time, that little room harbors all our growing pains. One of these pains is realizing our parents aren’t all-knowing and perfect. Rather, they’re people just like us. They have goals, feelings, and lives lived. The challenge lies in reconciling with the fact that they may be people we love but do not necessarily like. May it be because of a difference in political opinion or a deep relational disconnect, there is pain in realizing our parents cannot understand us in the way we want them to. So, how do we outgrow a hurtful environment when it’s our own homes? The easy answer would be to leave. But Filipino culture doesn’t allow us to walk away, nor does it place premiums on healthy conversations. So we stay, sweep our feelings under the rug, and
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spreading false claims about Rappler’s reputation as the least trusted news organization, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa has had to increase security, especially online. The news media in the country is facing so much pressure and the freedom of the press is at stake. However, these allegations are not new in the media industry in the Philippines. As Rappler faced its tough challenge in Philippine news media, I certainly agree that they have the right to defend themselves, to defend the press freedom in the country by constantly bringing credible sources of information to the Filipinos. It is a major challenge, then, for professionals and young journalists to fight for the truth in this pressing time. Thus, it is high time that we citizens should think, move, and raise our voices to make a difference in the fight against misleading propaganda—especially online. To aspiring and young journalists, our defiance is to create a ripple of change by relinquishing truthful, factual, and relevant information day by day.C
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It is a major challenge, then, for professionals and young journalists to fight for the truth in this pressing time.
pretend everything is fine. After all, how can we be “hurt” if we were provided food, housing, and every other basic human need? Thus, the biggest burden an eldest sibling bears is being the bigger person. To keep the peace, we have to sacrifice our own, just until things get better. We have to respect them through polite disengagement—be civil, take their words with a grain of salt, and overall keep our cool. We recognize that it is too draining to keep fighting when we share a home. More than that, we learn to reconcile with the fact that our parents can only love us in the ways they know how to, even if these ways hurt us. But we also hope—that as we face our growing pains—we grow as we go.C
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To keep the peace, we have to sacrifice our own, just until things get better.
Vol. 48 No. 5 September 2022