ShareThisMANILA – President Benigno S. Aquino III has underscored the role of mass media in effectively safeguarding freedom from an irresponsible government.
Quoting his late father and icon of people power, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., the President said that “a free media is indispensable if a democracy is to function efficiently, if it is to be real. The people, who are sovereign, must be adequately informed all the time.”
The President spoke at the silver anniversary of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the launching of the commemorative book entitled “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer” at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-la in Makati City.
The President stressed the active role of media in protecting the well-being of the people.
“There is no doubt that media plays an active role in guarding our freedoms and making the powerful accountable,” the Chief Executive said, stressing that when our institutions were weak, “the media put truth to power for the well-being of our citizenry.”
The President went on to underscore that media does not operate in a vacuum or was it not immune from the pressures heaped by influential people in the government, he urged all journalists and broadcasters to watch their own ranks and condemn their colleagues who try to exert a corrupt influence on the government.
“It would be a disservice to our journalists and broadcasters, and especially to our countrymen, if it were to be terminally afflicted with the disease of corruption and deceit,” he said. “Every journalist must focus his or her efforts to ensure that there is a trustworthy, transparent relationship between the government, the media, and, most importantly, the Filipino people.”
He also asked the assistance of media to help the government in maintaining the highest form of professionalism, integrity, and truth-telling.
“Together, it is vital for us to raise the level of public discourse so that important issues are distinguished from vulgar personalities and trivial stories,” he added.
In his speech, the President acknowledged the contribution of Inquirer for igniting and catalyzing professionalism through its fair reporting and exposes against the government, having started before martial rule and continuing to the present.
He assured the men and women of the country’s leading broadsheet that his government is not after fame but to protect the meaning of democracy which the Filipino people had recovered from 20 years of dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos.
“This is the path the Filipino people have committed to, and we all have a role to play in defending it,” he said and admitted that he will personally proudly claim and inform his late parents, Senator Ninoy and former President Corazon Aquino, if his administration succeeds in defending democracy during his term which would be ending in 2016.
During the program, the President thanked the founding chairman of PDI, Eugenia Duran Apostol, for pioneering responsible, honest and accurate newspaper reporting since she established Inquirer 25 years ago.
He also thanked the people behind the timely publication of the coffee table book: “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.”
“The experiences and lessons (of this book) will push me to tighten our guards and continue to fight the real essence of democracy,” he stressed.
He also thanked the people behind the timely publication of the coffee table book: “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.”
“The experiences and lessons (of this book) will push me to tighten our guards and continue to fight the real essence of democracy,” he stressedHe assured the men and women of the country’s leading broadsheet that his government is not after fame but to protect the meaning of democracy which the Filipino people had recovered from 20 years of dictatorial rule of former President Ferdinand R. Marcos.
This is the path the Filipino people have committed to, and we all have a role to play in defending it,” he said and admitted that he will personally proudly claim and inform his late parents, Senator Ninoy and former President Corazon Aquino, if his administration succeeds in defending democracy during his term which would be ending in 2016.
During the program, the President thanked the founding chairman of PDI, Eugenia Duran Apostol, for pioneering responsible, honest and accurate newspaper reporting since she established Inquirer 25 years ago.
He also thanked the people behind the timely publication of the coffee table book: “From Ninoy to Noynoy: 25 years of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.”
“The experiences and lessons (of this book) will push me to tighten our guards and continue to fight the real essence of democracy,” he stressed.