Dark day in community journalism

BEFORE Monday’s Maguindanao massacre where at least 57 people were killed, 27 of whom were journalists (with two more declared missing), the Philippines was already among the top ten deadliest countries to work in based on the list of the international organization Committee to Protect Journalists. This year alone, 65 Filipino journalists have been killed, with 38 cases confirmed to be in the line of work and the rest still being investigated.

Following the latest tragedy last week, the Philippines would now be moving up the notorious list. “This is the darkest day in the history of journalism in the Philippines, which, outside of Iraq, has topped the tables of countries where journalists are most at risk in recent years,” said the International Federation of Journalists as it joined the growing national and international calls for immediate action on the crime.

What also needs to be underscored here is the fact that almost all those deaths are among community journalists. Our community journalists carry out their profession within the combined intimacy and remoteness that characterize small towns, or a city outside the capital of the country, a province, or even a region. In many of these places, the circumstances are wrought with the reality of a still prevalent warlord culture in local politics.

We are not a country at war. And the Philippines supposedly prides itself in its democracy. The Maguindanao massacre perpetrated allegedly by the Ampatuan political clan is a crying shame to human rights and the freedom of speech. But an even bigger disgrace would be if we allow the perpetrators to get away with their crime.

The media has often been criticized for easily jumping from one attention-grabbing headline to another, readily putting behind an issue without reaching resolution as soon as another one crops up. Yes, there is truth in that. But this one we must not forget.

The Sunday PUNCH joins the nation and the victims’ families in mourning and the call for swift justice for our fallen brothers and sisters, from the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Racurong, Davao and Cotabato namely: Ian Subang, Socsargen Today; Lea Dalmacio, Socsargen News; Gina Dela Cruz and Neneng Montaño, Saksi News; Maritess Cablitas and Rosell Morales, News Focus; Henry Araneta, Radio DZRH;  Alejandro  Reblando, Manila Bulletin; Victor Nuñez and Mark Gilbert Arriola, UNTV; Bal Cachuela, Punto News; Ernesto Maravilla, Bombo Radyo; Ronie Perante, Gold Star Daily; Joel Parcon and Jun Legarte, Prontiera News; Rey Merisco, John Caniban, Arturo Betia and Noel Decena and Rani Razon, Periodico Ini; Jhoy Duhay, Gold Star Daily; Andy Teodoro, Central Mindanao Inquirer; Jimmy Cabilo and Reynaldo Momay, Midland Review; Napoleon Salaysay, Mindanao Gazette; Jun Gatchalian and Lindo Lupogan of Davao City.

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