Words of WelcomeBy Hader Glang
Vice President for External Affairs
First of all, let me greet all of you a pleasant evening!
This induction would not have been possible without its founding fathers, I am referring to Prof. Clem Bascar and Sir Manny Tan, and all the core group members led by Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat, Nung Ajihil, Bernie Concepcion, Ely Dumaboc, Henry Salac and yours truly.
Let's give ourselves a round of applause.
I am not be an eloquent speaker like you so let me just warmly welcome you by reading some famous statements from great journalists in the past.
According to Alito Malinao, author of the Book Journalism for Filipinos, "In a democratic society such as ours, the press plays the role of a watchdog. It is called the Forth Estate, with the function of fiscalizing the three co-equal branches of government; namely, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Because of this function, the press has to be adversarial in nature. It has to report, without fear or favor, the shenanigans in government: abuses or malpractices of public officials and how funds are spent."
Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of America, once said that the press is "a necessary evil" in a democracy. "And were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Freedom of the press to appeal to reason may always be construed as freedom of the press to appeal to public passion and ignorance, vulgarity and cynicism. As freedom of the press is always in danger, so it is always dangerous. The freedom of the press illustrates the commonplace that if we are to live progressively we must live dangerously. This was the statement of the Hutchins Report on Freedom of the Press in USA (1947).
What is a journalist? Not any business manager or publisher, or even proprietor. A journalist is the lookout on the bridge of the ship of state. He notes the passing sail; little things of interest that dot the horizon in fine weather. He reports the drifting castaway whom the ship can save. He peers through fog and storm to give warning of dangers ahead. He is not thinking of his wages or the profits of his owners. He is there to watch over the safety and welfare of the people who trust him. The statements come from Joseph Pulitzer (April 10, 1847 – October 29, 1911) was a Hungarian-American publisher best known for posthumously establishing the Pulitzer Prizes and for originating yellow journalism.
Reporters worry about the dilemma between their obligation to the truth and their obligation to their country. They know that they often embarrass officials by reporting the facts and even interfere with the public policy occasionally but they go on doing it because somehow the tradition of reporting the facts, no matter how much they hurt, is stronger than any other. -- James Scotty" Reston, a prominent American journalist whose career spanned the mid 1930s to the early 1990s. Associated for many years with The New York Times, he became perhaps the most powerful, influential, and widely read journalist of his era.
With these words, once again we welcome all of you to this induction ceremony. Thank you.
Let's give ourselves a round of applause.
I am not be an eloquent speaker like you so let me just warmly welcome you by reading some famous statements from great journalists in the past.
According to Alito Malinao, author of the Book Journalism for Filipinos, "In a democratic society such as ours, the press plays the role of a watchdog. It is called the Forth Estate, with the function of fiscalizing the three co-equal branches of government; namely, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. Because of this function, the press has to be adversarial in nature. It has to report, without fear or favor, the shenanigans in government: abuses or malpractices of public officials and how funds are spent."
Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of America, once said that the press is "a necessary evil" in a democracy. "And were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Freedom of the press to appeal to reason may always be construed as freedom of the press to appeal to public passion and ignorance, vulgarity and cynicism. As freedom of the press is always in danger, so it is always dangerous. The freedom of the press illustrates the commonplace that if we are to live progressively we must live dangerously. This was the statement of the Hutchins Report on Freedom of the Press in USA (1947).
What is a journalist? Not any business manager or publisher, or even proprietor. A journalist is the lookout on the bridge of the ship of state. He notes the passing sail; little things of interest that dot the horizon in fine weather. He reports the drifting castaway whom the ship can save. He peers through fog and storm to give warning of dangers ahead. He is not thinking of his wages or the profits of his owners. He is there to watch over the safety and welfare of the people who trust him. The statements come from Joseph Pulitzer (April 10, 1847 – October 29, 1911) was a Hungarian-American publisher best known for posthumously establishing the Pulitzer Prizes and for originating yellow journalism.
Reporters worry about the dilemma between their obligation to the truth and their obligation to their country. They know that they often embarrass officials by reporting the facts and even interfere with the public policy occasionally but they go on doing it because somehow the tradition of reporting the facts, no matter how much they hurt, is stronger than any other. -- James Scotty" Reston, a prominent American journalist whose career spanned the mid 1930s to the early 1990s. Associated for many years with The New York Times, he became perhaps the most powerful, influential, and widely read journalist of his era.
With these words, once again we welcome all of you to this induction ceremony. Thank you.
Challenge
By Prof. Clem Bascar
Founder
The Fourth Estate in Today’s Hostile World
At present the journalists and other media practitioners all over the world have become the most endangered members of the Homo Sapiens Species. Every day reports about journalists being ruthlessly gunned down, mauled, harassed, kidnapped and maimed come out with staggering, frightening, and numbing frequency. Yet, despite these pervasive dangers constantly surrounding the lives of media practitioners, they remained unfazed, unthreatened, unwavering, and unafraid. Instead, they have become more cohesive, assertive, and unconquerable in their missionary spirit to uphold the truth, justice, freedom of press and human rights.
The members of the Fourth Estate should not be intimidated coerced or threatened to do something contrary to their Code of Ethics. They should write and report events in the purity of objectivity, impartiality, and fairness. Nothing should scare a true-blooded mediaman, not even death.
Ideally, a media must never succumb to any lure of bribery. He should not fall under the spell or control of plutocratic individuals for few pieces of silver. At all times, costs, risks and trials, the Fourth Estate must remain totally independent.
Once a person decides to enter the Fourth Estate, he also accepts the risks and dangers inherent in the job. He should shed off whatever doubts, apprehension, and in-born weaknesses he has in adherence to and in pursuit of truth, justice, objectivity and fairness which are fundamental principles observed in this dignity honorable and respectable profession.
In the performance of their journalistic functions, duties and responsibilities, mediamen have nothing to compromise in exposing the truth and fighting for what they believe to be morally and ethically right. They have nothing to compromise when it comes to the principles they are fighting for even in the face of extreme danger.
Mediamen, sometimes become involved in difficult circumstances or controversies because they allow themselves to be used for the ulterior designs and motives of power-seeking, influence-peddling, and money-making individuals. In the process, they lose their sense of fairness, objectivity, and independence. They spend their time defending, protecting and praising the people who provide them a steady flow of perks and privileges.
Mediamen are supposed to write, report and disseminate breaking news, events, facts and truth in the most impartial manner possible no matter who are involved, who gets hurt, or is placed on the spot as the events unfold.
In order to preserve the highest standard of dignity and responsibility of the profession, media people should avoid being constantly seen in the company of individuals notoriously known for shelling out blood money to promote or advance their vested interests or power ambitions. They should only pledge allegiance to the truth and not to people who show extraordinary generosity in exchange for hyperbolic praises and ego building publicity blitz.
So today, let’s collectively show and prove to the whole world that in Zamboanga City a special and very rare breed exists embodying the best traditions, ideals and traits of journalists. This is the formidable challenge that we members of the Fourth Estate must valiantly and uprightly respond to with dignity, honor and fortitude. May we all stand solidly united to overcome and rise above all trials, risks, and tribulations permeating and hounding constantly our line of duty with the saving grace, protection and guidance of our God Almighty.
May God Bless us all.
Historical note on IPZBy Mohammadnur Ajihil
Secretary General
On the occasion of its First Founding of Officers, the Independent Press of Zamboanga is profoundly honored to inform the good people of the City of Flowers not Asia’s Latin City the brief but important events that led to its founding as an organization of free, fair, fearless and factual writers and journalists in this part of the country.
It all started with four fearless men who have shared common vision to pursue the quest for truth to which every member of the press must always strive to defend, protect and even die for, if need be. A city like Zamboanga and country like ours would be one lousy place to live-in without a free and independent press where members of the Fourth Estate can express their views and opinions regarding the affairs of government and conduct of public officials without fear of favor. The public who are recipients of information deserves to know truthful and unabridged news and commentaries affecting their interest. And a credible press has one primordial role always to tell the truth no matter how difficult and who gets hurt.
Initially, the five of us, Professor Clemencio Bascar, fellow columnist Emmanuel Mangubat, businessman and civil leader Datu Manuel Tan, journalist Hader Glang and yours truly were bound together by a common belief to uphold tenets of responsible and truthful journalism. Unlike many great revolutionaries, we believed in another kind of revolution without using the barrel of the gun and exploding bombs but a ‘revolution of mind and ideas’ where we make use of our God given intellect to think, argue and analyze things happening around us and in so doing humbly help shape public opinion resulting to the common good.
We challenged ourselves that unless and until we stand up defend our right including yours too, against those who want to subvert it, we could become hostage of our own apathy and weaknesses and lose that right to speak in the name of truth. We may also wake up one day to the inevitable reality that our freedom to free speech may no longer be with us but in the hands of vested entities and individuals who want to control even the little things we all love to do, write, speak freely and fearlessly without being coerced or threatened and at one time even branded as “forces of darkness.” People seeking for truth should not be faulted for doing a duty to help safeguard public welfare. They are “bright stars in the sky” never a dark force. They will never succumb to anyone who would brand them as ‘dark forces’ because their commitment to enlighten the people and the path of truth is unwavering. Such illuminates their good intention of guarding the interest of a community like Zamboanga.
Cohesive in our thoughts and determined not to allow anyone to stifle our inalienable right of Press Freedom in a democracy, we proceeded to accomplish the basic requirements any organization would need to legally stand up- the Constitution and By-Laws of the Independent Press of Zamboanga. My friend Clem Bascar, gifted with scholarly mind and always the ‘thinker and doer’ he is widely known and respected for, painstakingly drafted IPZ’s bible, its Constitution and By-Laws. Then followed series of meetings, discussions and finally after careful and through review, the officers and members unanimously adopted the provisions that now officially gave birth to the Independent Press of Zamboanga.
When informed of our noble objective forming a new breed of free and independent writers and not beholden to any tom, Dick and Harry, our equally fearless colleagues came to voluntarily join us. Bernie Concepcion, Edgar Araojo, Henry Salac, Ely Dumaboc, Tony Remando, Mon Venegas, Rey Banagudos, Mon Saavedra, Roy Albretch, Weng Jumdail, Ric Detuyatu, and Rikki Lim, all came forward with their own free will to tell us they want to be counted and proud to say they are IPZ officers and members.
So on August 5, 2007, at this very hallowed place, A Taste of Asia (ATOA) Restaurant, by the grace of Almighty God and guided by the Constitutional guarantee that grants every citizen Freedom of Press and Speech, we the officers and members unanimously adopted and approved our founding charter. And this evening before all of you, our honored guests and friends, we shall take our Oath in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws and other laws of the country as an organization known as Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ). We shall then have the legal personality to sue and be sued, hopefully not.
In all modesty, we shall resist any attempt to muzzle the Foruth Estate by anybody, be it public official, political power brokers, business interest groups and those masquerading as journalists under the payroll of people of dispensing public funds to undermine our peaceful existence and independence. And at the same time we also pledge to honestly and faithfully discharge our duties and responsibilities as officers/members of a truly independent media group who shall adhere and not violate the Journalist Code of Ethics and fall into the temptation of receiving monetary and material benefits in the existence of our calling.
Lastly, we ask the Almighty God to always to be our guiding light and protector from any form of evil and harm in the quest for truth as we thread the path of those who may not understand much less appreciate what we are doing; that the IPZ is not an enemy but a partner for good government and honest service to the people. What we are doing is only our modest contribution in the service of country and people.
Thank you, good evening and God bless us all.
Inaugural Spee
ch
By Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat
President
Honored guests, honorary members of the IPZ, invited guests who are friends of Independent Press of Zamboanga, friends of different media outfits who are here to cover this historic event, officers and members of IPZ, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
Tonight’s affair is historic. This is the first time that Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers not Latin City of Asia, has organized an independent press composed of independent-minded media that is different from other media organization. Why and how are we different from other media organizations is the reason why we believe you are here this evening to know and honor our invitation. This evening you will witness a historic event that is unfolding before your eyes. This upcoming popular restaurant, A Taste of Asia (ATOA) where our Independent Press was born and will be the permanent venue of our monthly meetings is likewise a part of history.
Because tonight’s affair is historic you are gathered here this evening to make a date with history. I too is making a date with history being the first president of the Independent Press of Zamboanga. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for electing me first president without opponent although when I was elected I told my colleagues: I don’t know if I will thank you or not because I would have preferred to give way to a younger member having been the president of Zamboanga Columnist Club of which I’m no longer a member. In know how it is difficult to lead independent-minded journalists.
While we are exclusive organization of independent-minded media, we welcome members who are interested to join provided they meet the requirements of membership as stipulated in our Constitution. We also accept honorary members who believe and share our vision of an independent journalist who want to have media practitioners who can raise the level of journalism to the highest degree of professionalism adhering strictly to the tenets of press freedom and the ethics of media as a profession. We don’t want to be identified with media who are beholden to the powers-that-be to the extent that outsiders will accuse Zamboanga media as the most corrupt.
Early last month, a poison letter circulated that illegal gambling is protected by corrupt PNP including some corrupt media. It’s a good thing that the president of Zamboanga Press Club issued a statement condemning such accusation. While we from independent press cannot be alluded to because we are not members of Zamboanga Press Club, we are also affected, hence it further strengthened our resolve to organize our Independent Press of Zamboanga. But previous to the poison letter a Manila journalist who was in Davao City accused Zamboanga City media as the most corrupt but our friends from Zamboanga Press Club were silent.
Now we want to clarify the perception that as independent-minded media we do nothing but criticize. This is not our role. We also give credit where credit is due. Media does not exist to praise and praise so that concerned citizens will ask: For what? To us the role of media is to expose the wrong doings of corrupt public officials. Our role is also to ventilate issues of public interest and concern that will keep the public informed and be educated. Such is not criticism. A public official elected or appointed must never be onion-skinned (balat sibuyas). Responsible media when criticizing must offer or give suggestions or alternatives.
Onion-skinned public officials, elected or appointed when criticized on issues must answer and refute criticism. He should not resort to name calling. We from independent media don’t go down to personalities. While we are free to criticize, onion-skinned public officials are also free to answer and refute. They must give the job to their PIO. The job of PIO is not to praise and praise his boss to high heaven. He must defend his boss from criticism. Unfortunately we suspect some PIO are ignorant of the issues raised against his boss. This in jest is the reason why we organized our Independent Press of Zamboanga. some reasons not stated are mentioned in the columns I have written last Friday, August 31, 2007 and Saturday, September 1, 2007. As a parting word, let it be known that 80 percent of media’s role is to criticize constructively. Only 20 percent is praising for a job worth praising. Thank you for coming and honor our invitation.
It all started with four fearless men who have shared common vision to pursue the quest for truth to which every member of the press must always strive to defend, protect and even die for, if need be. A city like Zamboanga and country like ours would be one lousy place to live-in without a free and independent press where members of the Fourth Estate can express their views and opinions regarding the affairs of government and conduct of public officials without fear of favor. The public who are recipients of information deserves to know truthful and unabridged news and commentaries affecting their interest. And a credible press has one primordial role always to tell the truth no matter how difficult and who gets hurt.
Initially, the five of us, Professor Clemencio Bascar, fellow columnist Emmanuel Mangubat, businessman and civil leader Datu Manuel Tan, journalist Hader Glang and yours truly were bound together by a common belief to uphold tenets of responsible and truthful journalism. Unlike many great revolutionaries, we believed in another kind of revolution without using the barrel of the gun and exploding bombs but a ‘revolution of mind and ideas’ where we make use of our God given intellect to think, argue and analyze things happening around us and in so doing humbly help shape public opinion resulting to the common good.
We challenged ourselves that unless and until we stand up defend our right including yours too, against those who want to subvert it, we could become hostage of our own apathy and weaknesses and lose that right to speak in the name of truth. We may also wake up one day to the inevitable reality that our freedom to free speech may no longer be with us but in the hands of vested entities and individuals who want to control even the little things we all love to do, write, speak freely and fearlessly without being coerced or threatened and at one time even branded as “forces of darkness.” People seeking for truth should not be faulted for doing a duty to help safeguard public welfare. They are “bright stars in the sky” never a dark force. They will never succumb to anyone who would brand them as ‘dark forces’ because their commitment to enlighten the people and the path of truth is unwavering. Such illuminates their good intention of guarding the interest of a community like Zamboanga.
Cohesive in our thoughts and determined not to allow anyone to stifle our inalienable right of Press Freedom in a democracy, we proceeded to accomplish the basic requirements any organization would need to legally stand up- the Constitution and By-Laws of the Independent Press of Zamboanga. My friend Clem Bascar, gifted with scholarly mind and always the ‘thinker and doer’ he is widely known and respected for, painstakingly drafted IPZ’s bible, its Constitution and By-Laws. Then followed series of meetings, discussions and finally after careful and through review, the officers and members unanimously adopted the provisions that now officially gave birth to the Independent Press of Zamboanga.
When informed of our noble objective forming a new breed of free and independent writers and not beholden to any tom, Dick and Harry, our equally fearless colleagues came to voluntarily join us. Bernie Concepcion, Edgar Araojo, Henry Salac, Ely Dumaboc, Tony Remando, Mon Venegas, Rey Banagudos, Mon Saavedra, Roy Albretch, Weng Jumdail, Ric Detuyatu, and Rikki Lim, all came forward with their own free will to tell us they want to be counted and proud to say they are IPZ officers and members.
So on August 5, 2007, at this very hallowed place, A Taste of Asia (ATOA) Restaurant, by the grace of Almighty God and guided by the Constitutional guarantee that grants every citizen Freedom of Press and Speech, we the officers and members unanimously adopted and approved our founding charter. And this evening before all of you, our honored guests and friends, we shall take our Oath in accordance with our Constitution and By-Laws and other laws of the country as an organization known as Independent Press of Zamboanga (IPZ). We shall then have the legal personality to sue and be sued, hopefully not.
In all modesty, we shall resist any attempt to muzzle the Foruth Estate by anybody, be it public official, political power brokers, business interest groups and those masquerading as journalists under the payroll of people of dispensing public funds to undermine our peaceful existence and independence. And at the same time we also pledge to honestly and faithfully discharge our duties and responsibilities as officers/members of a truly independent media group who shall adhere and not violate the Journalist Code of Ethics and fall into the temptation of receiving monetary and material benefits in the existence of our calling.
Lastly, we ask the Almighty God to always to be our guiding light and protector from any form of evil and harm in the quest for truth as we thread the path of those who may not understand much less appreciate what we are doing; that the IPZ is not an enemy but a partner for good government and honest service to the people. What we are doing is only our modest contribution in the service of country and people.
Thank you, good evening and God bless us all.
Inaugural Spee
chBy Prof. Emmanuel Mangubat
President
Honored guests, honorary members of the IPZ, invited guests who are friends of Independent Press of Zamboanga, friends of different media outfits who are here to cover this historic event, officers and members of IPZ, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
Tonight’s affair is historic. This is the first time that Zamboanga City, the City of Flowers not Latin City of Asia, has organized an independent press composed of independent-minded media that is different from other media organization. Why and how are we different from other media organizations is the reason why we believe you are here this evening to know and honor our invitation. This evening you will witness a historic event that is unfolding before your eyes. This upcoming popular restaurant, A Taste of Asia (ATOA) where our Independent Press was born and will be the permanent venue of our monthly meetings is likewise a part of history.
Because tonight’s affair is historic you are gathered here this evening to make a date with history. I too is making a date with history being the first president of the Independent Press of Zamboanga. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for electing me first president without opponent although when I was elected I told my colleagues: I don’t know if I will thank you or not because I would have preferred to give way to a younger member having been the president of Zamboanga Columnist Club of which I’m no longer a member. In know how it is difficult to lead independent-minded journalists.
While we are exclusive organization of independent-minded media, we welcome members who are interested to join provided they meet the requirements of membership as stipulated in our Constitution. We also accept honorary members who believe and share our vision of an independent journalist who want to have media practitioners who can raise the level of journalism to the highest degree of professionalism adhering strictly to the tenets of press freedom and the ethics of media as a profession. We don’t want to be identified with media who are beholden to the powers-that-be to the extent that outsiders will accuse Zamboanga media as the most corrupt.
Early last month, a poison letter circulated that illegal gambling is protected by corrupt PNP including some corrupt media. It’s a good thing that the president of Zamboanga Press Club issued a statement condemning such accusation. While we from independent press cannot be alluded to because we are not members of Zamboanga Press Club, we are also affected, hence it further strengthened our resolve to organize our Independent Press of Zamboanga. But previous to the poison letter a Manila journalist who was in Davao City accused Zamboanga City media as the most corrupt but our friends from Zamboanga Press Club were silent.
Now we want to clarify the perception that as independent-minded media we do nothing but criticize. This is not our role. We also give credit where credit is due. Media does not exist to praise and praise so that concerned citizens will ask: For what? To us the role of media is to expose the wrong doings of corrupt public officials. Our role is also to ventilate issues of public interest and concern that will keep the public informed and be educated. Such is not criticism. A public official elected or appointed must never be onion-skinned (balat sibuyas). Responsible media when criticizing must offer or give suggestions or alternatives.
Onion-skinned public officials, elected or appointed when criticized on issues must answer and refute criticism. He should not resort to name calling. We from independent media don’t go down to personalities. While we are free to criticize, onion-skinned public officials are also free to answer and refute. They must give the job to their PIO. The job of PIO is not to praise and praise his boss to high heaven. He must defend his boss from criticism. Unfortunately we suspect some PIO are ignorant of the issues raised against his boss. This in jest is the reason why we organized our Independent Press of Zamboanga. some reasons not stated are mentioned in the columns I have written last Friday, August 31, 2007 and Saturday, September 1, 2007. As a parting word, let it be known that 80 percent of media’s role is to criticize constructively. Only 20 percent is praising for a job worth praising. Thank you for coming and honor our invitation.
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