EDITORIAL

NEW NOR MAL “CHANGE IS COMING” -the famous tagline of this century’s most promising Presidential candidate of the Republic of the Philippines, and now, the President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines. Then in just a sneeze of a nose… CHANGE has come. 2020 is the year where we have felt the most significant changes during the Duterte administration. As we opted for the President of change, refashioning of the country gets better by the minute. It explores trends from war on drugs to armed battles. However, toPRESS FREE DOM day, the Corona takes over the world. It is a trend like no other-faster and unbelievably contagious. The question now is, can Philippines handle the crown? In the time that the glitter and glamour of Corona Virus force Filipinos to stay at home, the paparazzi is expected to crowd the aisle and cover the story as the renowned stars of the congress and state make their way through the red carpet. This is just how it “normally” goes. Yet there are no paparazzi. There is no press. There is just oppressed press. In silence, we dwell. Abnormal as it may seem, it is the Absolute Normal of this decade of change. The pandemic may have taken our freedom to vacation but it is not as worse as how our government does the job. This year, the state formally shut down the country’s largest broadcast network. This signifies the latest major blow against news media under the President’s administration. Lawmakers, proceeding with 13 hearings then voting of a committee of the House of Representatives that concluded a majority to deny the ABS-CBN’s application for renewal, forced the biggest broadcaster off air. Following the shut down is the arrest of Rappler’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria Ressa. She was accused of cyber-libel after violating a law that was implemented months after the alleged offense. Further, the president has accused Rappler of being funded by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) without any evidence.

adThe baseless convictions and accusations did nothing than solidify the power of the Duterte ministration through griev- ous assaults on press freedom. Now more than ever, the

country the cur-

needs re- sponsive and accurate news platforms than fortifying rent administration’s disposal. Are the people

reminded the need for how dismissing press freedom can address news? Or better, are we reminded of

how taking these media biases? Thousands of jobs are doms of millions of Filipinos are here. It starts here. ANTI-TERROR LAW. It alpeople out of the equation can solve lost in the shut down. Worse, freejeopardized. And this does not end lows the state to overreach

some human rights in order to

sive security system in the hopes “peaceful” Philippines. While it attests to the idea of being the rity forces, it is indeed a masterful en the government the freedom to take Vague is the best it can get with its defiwe can get in envisioning the democracy of this It leaves the people with no recourse to quespower. It leaves the state with no voice to com-

The problem is not the protocols of Humans ed. The problem lies on the competence of our achieve respon-

of achieving a (anti-terror law) trump card of secuweapon. It has in all sense givfrom its citizens essential freedoms. nition of terrorism. And Vague is the best country. tion defective governance and misuse of pel for a better sovereign.

Rights. In fact, it is what should be protectsecurity forces. Regardless, a bigger

problem is how we are solving it through red especially journalists. The pandemic can force us to adapt to not force us to surrender our freedoms. New tagging and boycotting potential threats the new normal yet the government cannormal poses questions crucial to adapt-

ing to this drastic global change and that is

why we need press freedom. We need the truth delivered to our doorsteps in this time that we cannot go out of our homes. We need to impose accountability not just to the government but to ourselves too. The state needs reminding that we are all at stake. Press freedom is not for the press. It is a gift for the people’s becoming. Claim it. It is yours. EDITORIAL | 32