The specter of a Rodrigo Duterte presidency is enough to spook those whose job it is to call out the government for its excesses and inadequacies.
Tuesday’s commemoration of World Press Freedom Day reminds us of what we enjoy and what we don’t. Yes, the Philippines has earned notoriety for being one of the most dangerous places for journalists. Yes, the killings continue and with impunity—because the perpetrators believe silencing media workers is the better, even the less costly, option. And yes, law enforcement and the justice system do not inspire confidence among the people—or fear among criminals. Dozens of cases of violence against media workers remain unresolved.
Despite the danger, however, members of the press—especially those covering the more visible arena of national politics—are these days relatively free to express their dissent, criticism and outright objection to what the current crop of leaders are doing, and what they are not.
This newspaper, for instance, has been calling the administration out too much and too often, even as we insist we are doing so to air legitimate criticism. Thus far, we have not been stopped or threatened for doing whatever it is we are doing. Given the lessons of history, this counts for a lot.
Meanwhile, the emergence of social media has given rise to a vibrant and unfettered platform for receiving news, providing leads, and expressing and exchanging views. That it is new blurs convention: Whereas there are at least conventions to be followed in journalism, social media has been a free-for-all, for good or bad.
The campaign circus has given us a glimpse into the character and inclinations of the candidates. We now have a fairly good sense of how they take criticism, even just questions about their pronouncements. Some are calm and address the questions squarely. Some immediately go on the defensive, saying they are victims of persecution and their critics are agents of the dark. Some confront the critics head-on, attacking them even as their arguments do not make any sense and threatening to commit some crime against them.
How, we wonder, will the media or the citizenry engage the next administration when they do not agree with its leaders? How will we demand information when the providers of information themselves look upon the demand as an affront to their stature?
The right to free speech is one that has been taken for granted, but today we acknowledge how critical it is to building a nation. Woe to those who entertain the thought of meddling with this fundamental right ever again.
