World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2026
Quo vadis, Journalism?
(Where is Journalism headed for?)
A Reprint
Today computers and smartphones dominate media virtually at fingertip and mobile at that, involving a very wide profile of users interconnected locally and around the world.
(Where is Journalism headed for?)
A Reprint
Today computers and smartphones dominate media virtually at fingertip and mobile at that, involving a very wide profile of users interconnected locally and around the world.Dr Abe V Rotor
Retired professor
GS and Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas
Teodoro “Ka Doroy” Valencia (center) is regarded father of Philippine Journalism
From the earliest Roman newsletter in the 5th century BC to today's Social Media, journalism has indeed vastly expanded and radically evolved.
In the Philippines the first newsletter was Tomas Pinpin's Successos Felices 1636, and the first regularly published newspaper was Del Superior Govierno (1811). Print journalism dominated media for centuries until radio and TV brought news and entertainment to the living room, and to millions of people all over the world equipped with portable electronic gadgets.
People would rather watch TV or listen to the radio than read the newspaper, magazines – and books. Reputable publications like Time, Newsweek, and Reader’s Digest declined in circulation, and ventured into electronic publication with fair success. Even the world’s major encyclopedias stopped printing, and joined the Internet, Today, social media rides on cyber publication which lends to wider and quicker access by the public.
Today computers and smartphones dominate media virtually at fingertip and mobile at that, involving a very wide profile of users interconnected locally and around the world.
Millennials are often identified with their fondness of using cellphone or smartphone at any time, what with the many features of this palm-size gadget. They are wired all the time, says a sociologist. The cell phone connects practically all - libraries, shopping centers, universities, cities, public offices, homes, irrespective of distance and time. And it is multiple linked with institutions and systems: e-mail, e-commerce, e-learning, etc.
Social media catch the earliest news, send quick messages, and react openly, critique without reservation. In fact social media to the general public is open journalism.
So what is journalism today? People ask.
"There are set rules and standards of journalism embodied in the Code of Journalism which will remain unchanged," says Editor Feliciano U Galimba Jr, of the award winning community newspaper - The Greater Lagro Gazette.
Adhering to these rules and standards, and mobilizing a staff of local talents, Editor Fil as he is fondly called, succeeded in making this quarterly barangay publication a model in community journalism, earning awards and citations from leaders and readers.
The Code of Ethics in Journalism is universal, summarized in four tenets. These comprise the four pillars of journalism, and it is in defense of this sacred temple that many journalists have lost their lives, many of them as martyrs of the profession.
Seek Truth and Report It. Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.
Minimize Harm - Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect. Balance the public’s need for information against potential harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance or undue intrusiveness.
Act Independently - The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public. Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived. Disclose unavoidable conflicts.
Be Accountable and Transparent - Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.
Role models in journalism, like in other professions, provide not only direction but inspiration in work and life as well.
The late Teodoro "Doroy" Valencia is undoubtedly the father of journalism in the Philippines. His column Over a Cup of Coffee in the former Manila Times shaped the thinking of his readers and influenced the decisions of leaders in his time, and even to the present, which makes Ka Doroy an institution.
His philosophy in ingrained in his teaching to one who aspires to become a journalist. He must
Be inquisitive
Be constant in his purposeBe fair and balancedBe genuinely interested in peopleSeek the truthBe resourcefulHave gutsMaster his grammarKnow his medium
Read, read and read. Above all, he must be God-fearing, compassionate, and true to his country and fellowmen. And must uphold journalism as a profession and institution.
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New media technologies, such as social networking and media-sharing websites, in addition to the increasing prevalence of cellular telephones, have made citizen journalism more accessible to people worldwide. Due to the availability of technology, citizens often can report breaking news more quickly than traditional media reporters. Notable examples of citizen journalism reporting from major world events are the COVID-19 pandemic, African Swine Flu 2019, Haiti earthquake, the Arab Spring 2010, Occupy Wall Street movement, the 2013 protests in Turkey, and now, Russia war on Ukraine, Israel War in Gaza.
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Another journalist of international fame is Joseph Pulitzer who initiated the pattern of modern newspaper. For him, newspaper is the ‘vehicle of truth’, and he used it to raise his concern against corruption, fraud, monopolies, gambling rings and ill practices by elected officials. He believed in the power of press and the intelligentsia involved in journalistic activities to bring a positive change to the world.
Joseph Pulitzer founded the prestigious
Pulitzer Award for Journalism
The Pulitzer Award attests to his love and devotion to journalism. The award is regarded as co-equal with the Nobel Prize in the field of journalism. Our Carlos P Romulo (left photo) received this award for his writing "I saw the Philippines fall. I saw the Philippine rise." to date, he is the only Filipino bestowed with this distinction.
Filipino propagandists for Philippine independence from Spain proved to be the first model journalists. Jose Rizal wrote Noli and Fili; Graciano López Jaena, published La Solidaridad with Marcelo H. del Pilar as editor and co-publisher, and Antonio Luna as a prolific writer. Other illustrious Filipino journalists joined in the struggle and eventual success in attaining Philippine independence.
Taking a glimpse back in history, searching for role models in the present, while projecting the future of journalism is a most challenging scenario for any scholar or critic of what is journalism today. Indeed he finds himself at a very complex crossroad.
For how can we interconnect the ramifications of media in the same manner nerves are joined together to form a ganglion?
Newspaper journalism
Campus journalismMagazine journalismCitizen journalism (also known as "public", "participatory",
"democratic", "guerrilla" or "street" journalismCommunity journalism or civic journalism,Social Journalism as a separate concept denoting a digital
publication.Online and digital journalism.
The challenge is addressed to us openly. We are inevitable victims of an explosion of knowledge which has consequences of information overload leading to the creation of information pollution. It has severe undertones to values and to journalism. It is up for us to devise a system through the same technology, of separating the grain from the chaff, so to speak.
A disturbing predicament of media today is that media has allegedly become a handmaiden of capitalism on one hand and the government on the other, radicalism notwithstanding, What with the growing threat of terrorism worldwide. Another predicament is that broadcast journalism has metamorphosed with a personality image and public impression akin to those in the entertainment world. Thirdly, very few in media today actually write their own thoughts and ideas, much less as authors in expressing their philosophy in life and in upholding the profession as a catalyst to a better world.
Such journalists are the likes of Fareed Rafiq Zakaria (photo) an Indian American journalist, columnist, author and broadcaster; and Hunter S Thompson, father of ‘gonzo journalism’, a style of writing where the reporter is involved in the story.
There are Initiatives to restore the integrity of journalism during the time of Ka Doroy, Carlos P Romulo, Jose Guevara, Jose Lansang, Amando Doronilla, among others. Such efforts may start with community journalism, as a basic unit, under the tutelage of true and dedicated journalists like Editor Fil Galimba et al. It must focus on the young, the users and ardent followers of social media.
Social media is a vital link to genuine journalism, in fact it may yet become the journalism in our postmodern age - if properly directed and managed.
Journalism is indeed one of the most dangerous professions. Journalism is not a job for the weak-hearted or the money-seeker. Despite that, it is not hard to find courageous and passionate journalists, who have dedicated their entire lives to relentlessly exposing corruption, reporting wars and uncovering political and economic scandals.
20 Deadliest Countries for Journalists (2017)
1. Iraq: 178
2. Syria: 107
3. Philippines: 77
4. Somalia: 62
5. Algeria: 60
6. Pakistan: 59
7. Russia: 56
8. Colombia: 47
9. India: 40
10. Brazil: 39
11. Mexico: 37
12. Afghanistan: 31
13. Turkey: 25
14. Bangladesh: 20
15. Sri Lanka: 19
16. Bosnia: 19
17. Rwanda: 17
18. Tajikistan: 17
19. Sierra Leone: 16
20. Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory: 16
Two thirds of the journalists killed in 2014 were in war zones, but this year (2017) was the exact opposite, with "two-thirds killed in countries 'at peace'," said a reliable international organization.
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For the year 2018, the Philippines is out of the top five most dangerous countries for journalists, according to the annual report of media freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The RSF’s report showed that a total of 80 journalists were killed this year (2018), 348 are presently in prison and 60 are being held hostage. It was higher compared to 65 killed in 2017.
The Philippines, which was among the top five most dangerous countries for media in 2018, has three journalists killed this year based on RSF’s report. The RSF list include Joey Llana of DwZR Radio from Albay killed on July 20; Dennis Denora of Trends and Times from Panabo City (June 7); and, Edmund Sestoso of DyGB 91.7 from Dumaguete City (May 1). REFERENCE: PH out of top 5 deadliest countries for media in 2018 By Jelly Musico December 20, 2018, 11:56 am
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Update: As of 2025–2026, the Palestinian territories are the deadliest location for journalists due to the conflict in Gaza, followed by high-risk areas including Mexico, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Philippines. Over 60 media professionals were killed in 2025 alone, with most deaths linked to armed conflicts, organized crime, or targeted attacks, often amid high impunity.
Deadliest Countries (2025-2026 Data)
- Palestinian Territories (Gaza): Ranked as the most dangerous, with dozens of deaths recorded since October 2023.
- Mexico: Consistently one of the deadliest, with journalists targeted by organized crime groups.
- Sudan & Ukraine: Active war zones with high fatalities among media workers.
- Philippines: Identified as one of the most dangerous, particularly for local journalists facing threats and violence. AI Overview- --------------------------------------------------------
International Day to End Impunity* for Crimes against Journalists
(2 November 2023 (A Reprint)
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALIST — INTERNATIONAL DAYS. PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013, which proclaimed the 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
Percival Carag Mabasa (March 14, 1959 – October 3, 2022), known professionally as Percy Lapid, was a Filipino journalist and radio journalist.
INTERNATIONAL DAY TO END IMPUNITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST JOURNALIST — INTERNATIONAL DAYS. PURPOSE: The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013, which proclaimed the 2 November as the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (IDEI).
Percival Carag Mabasa (March 14, 1959 – October 3, 2022), known professionally as Percy Lapid, was a Filipino journalist and radio journalist.
Between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 journalists have been killed around the world, with close to 9 out of 10 cases of these killings remaining judicially unresolved, according to the UNESCO observatory of killed journalists. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. UNESCO is concerned that impunity damages whole societies by covering up serious human rights abuses, corruption, and crime. Governments, civil society, the media, and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity.
* Impunity - exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
A 2022 study commissioned by the European Parliament confirms the progressive erosion of media freedom around the world and concludes that ‘Impunity remains unacceptably high, with most cases of killings remaining unresolved. Imprisonments are on the rise, while online spaces are becoming increasingly hostile and replete with gender-based hate speech. Between 2012 and 2021, among the 224 recorded cases of complete impunity, 185 (82.6 %) were concentrated in 12 countries: Mexico (26 cases); Somalia (25); Syria (22); India (21); Afghanistan (17); Iraq (17); Philippines (14); Brazil (14); Pakistan (12); Bangladesh (7); South Sudan (5); and the Russian Federation (5). Moreover, the study confirms that a majority of deaths happen because journalists are killed by way of reprisal for their work, while some lose their life in crossfire, i.e. on a battlefield or in a military context. Among those killed because of their work, 28.8 % were working on political journalism, 23.8 % were war reporters, 15.8 % were human rights reporters, while 10.7 % were investigating crime and 9.6 % corruption cases.
It is in recognition of the far-reaching consequences of impunity, especially of crimes against journalists, that the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/68/163 at its 68th session in 2013 which proclaimed 2 November as the ‘International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists’ (IDEI). The Resolution urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.
10th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of journalists
To commemorate the 2022 International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists and the 10-year Anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, a Conference convened by the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with UNESCO and OHCHR will be organized on 3-4 November in Vienna, Austria.
The Conference will provide a joint multi-stakeholder reflection process on how to prevent, protect and prosecute crimes against journalists, and aims to take stock of the achievements and challenges of the past 10 years in the implementation of the UN Plan. The first day will gather civil society organizations to share lessons and best practices in the implementation of the UN Plan, and discuss strategies of tackling emerging issues. The second day a Ministerial conference will take place during which political commitment towards the implementation for the UN Plan will be renewed.
Regional and Thematic consultations
UNESCO is organizing a series of consultations with local stakeholders to take a stock of the progress and challenges to protect journalists in the last ten years and to strategize how to implement the Plan more effectively, building upon the success stories and the lessons learned in the specific context of each region. The consultations will inform a set of recommendations which will be presented at the Ministerial Conference in Vienna. ~
Annex 2 - Blogs hailed as agents of change,
relevance, hope
By: Yuji Vincent Gonzales
@YGonzalesINQ INQUIRER.net
Living with Nature avrotor.blogspot.com
wins Best Web Log (Blog) for Nature and Environment
Dr Abe V Rotor expresses gratitude to the judges, organizers and audience after receiving the award of Best Blog for Nature and Environment 2015 during the Philippine Blogging Awards night at the SMX Aura, Taguig last November 22, 2015. With him is program's dynamic master of ceremonies, Mr Cris Urbano.
Whoever said that blogging is only for the young?
For 75-year-old Abe Rotor, age is not a hindrance to make the most out of the digital media. In fact, at his age, Rotor is currently maintaining three blogs, and has a total of about 5,000 posts since he started blogging in 2008. “I tell you, I enjoy blogging even in the middle of the night, or wake up early in the morning to finish a lesson or two,” he said.
Rotor, who won the best nature and environment blog in the Bloggys 2015 Awards for anvotor.blogspot.com, told INQUIRER.net that blogs should be used as instruments of compassion, interconnectedness and universality.
“The blog is one avenue you can express many things—you can express your creativity, your thoughts, your feelings, and things we think that the computer may lack like love and compassion. That’s not true. Use the blog and put your feelings there,” Rotor said in an interview during the Philippine Blog Awards Night at SM Aura in Taguig City on Saturday.
“Have compassion with people. Have your advocacy, just don’t be moralistic. Blog is the modern way of publishing. And you are always right when you blog on the condition that you are truthful and you do your research,” he added.
Rotor, award-winning author of “The Living With Nature” handbook and a former professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said bloggers should be guided by “universal values” and channel their emotions in telling their stories.
“You’ll see that the blog creates universality. So you have to be guided by universal values if you want to maintain your blog and appreciate it. You must not only address your blog to Filipinos, to your friends, but to the whole world,” said Rotor, who also served as scientist at the Department of Science and Technology, director of the National Food Authority, and Senate consultant on food and agriculture.
“You know how to blog, you know how to use social media, but don’t make it as a robot. Make it alive. Make your blog speak—speak of truth, speak of happiness, speak of sorrow. But in the end, it will have to show some kind of hope, a new determination, a new life. Don’t stop your story by being tragic at the end,” he added.
Added-value
For e-commerce advocate and Bloggys 2015 judge Janette Toral, blogs are relevant in this day and age because they share additional insights and knowledge that “usually goes beyond what the traditional media would cover.”
“I think blogs are relevant the moment they add value to their readers. The moment readers get entertained, the more readers get informed and get additional insight, and at the same time they were also able to change the lives of their readers in one way or the other, whether in perspective or in the way they do things, I think that’s when a blog becomes relevant,” Toral told INQUIRER.net.
“It has to establish a niche and go beyond just publishing a brand story. It’s about how they put themselves in the story, their insight, and how they exert effort to become relevant to their readers. Their story should not be about them but how their story will help their readers make a better decision,” she added.
Torral said bloggers should see their interest or hobby as an opportunity to foster goodwill and to promote “ideas that will make our country better.”
“Sometimes bloggers are afraid to do certain things because they saw others doing it already and they don’t want to be accused of copying. At the end of the day we all have our different audience… A blog needs to establish a certain relationship to their readers and the people who believe in them,” she added.
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Raissa Robles, who won the award for best blog in the society and politics category for raissarobles.com, said blogs can be agents of change in the “crossroads” that is the 2016 elections, as she sought the support of her fellow bloggers for a special project.
“We have to choose wisely and we have to choose well. Freedom is very much alive in this country,” Robles said in a short speech after accepting her award.
‘Alive, well, and world-class’
Highlighting the “talent, passion, and impact” of the entries, INQUIRER.net editor in chief and judge John Nery shared how the panel had a difficulty in picking the winners because many blogs have world-class quality.
“The Philippine blogging scene is alive and well,” Nery said in his closing remarks.
“Precisely because of the quality, I think it’s important to stress that each of the finalist should be considered as a winner, too,” he added.
Bloggys, a nationwide blogging event, recognized the “most relevant and engaging” blogs owned and written by Filipinos. Bloggers and readers started nominating entries in September.
Aside from Rotor and Robles, this year’s Bloggys winners include googleygoeys.com for arts and entertainment, projectvanity.com for beauty and fashion, tycoon.ph for business and finance, asksonnie.info for corporate and brand, teachwithjoy.com for family and relationships, michaelsshadesofblue.blogspot.com for fiction and literature, pepper.ph for food and dining, pinoyfitness.com for health and fitness, wheninmanila.com for lifestyle and hobbies, thedailypedia.com for news and events, sawrites.blogspot.com for personal diary, two2travel.com for photo blog, pinoymountaineer.com for sports and recreation, backtogaming.com for technology and Internet, and biyaherongbarat.com for travel and places.
Pepper.ph was also awarded as the best designed blog and the overall Bloggys champion. TVJ
Rotor, who won the best nature and environment blog in the Bloggys 2015 Awards for anvotor.blogspot.com, told INQUIRER.net that blogs should be used as instruments of compassion, interconnectedness and universality.
“The blog is one avenue you can express many things—you can express your creativity, your thoughts, your feelings, and things we think that the computer may lack like love and compassion. That’s not true. Use the blog and put your feelings there,” Rotor said in an interview during the Philippine Blog Awards Night at SM Aura in Taguig City on Saturday.
“Have compassion with people. Have your advocacy, just don’t be moralistic. Blog is the modern way of publishing. And you are always right when you blog on the condition that you are truthful and you do your research,” he added.
Rotor, award-winning author of “The Living With Nature” handbook and a former professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said bloggers should be guided by “universal values” and channel their emotions in telling their stories.
“You’ll see that the blog creates universality. So you have to be guided by universal values if you want to maintain your blog and appreciate it. You must not only address your blog to Filipinos, to your friends, but to the whole world,” said Rotor, who also served as scientist at the Department of Science and Technology, director of the National Food Authority, and Senate consultant on food and agriculture.
“You know how to blog, you know how to use social media, but don’t make it as a robot. Make it alive. Make your blog speak—speak of truth, speak of happiness, speak of sorrow. But in the end, it will have to show some kind of hope, a new determination, a new life. Don’t stop your story by being tragic at the end,” he added.
Added-value
For e-commerce advocate and Bloggys 2015 judge Janette Toral, blogs are relevant in this day and age because they share additional insights and knowledge that “usually goes beyond what the traditional media would cover.”
“I think blogs are relevant the moment they add value to their readers. The moment readers get entertained, the more readers get informed and get additional insight, and at the same time they were also able to change the lives of their readers in one way or the other, whether in perspective or in the way they do things, I think that’s when a blog becomes relevant,” Toral told INQUIRER.net.
“It has to establish a niche and go beyond just publishing a brand story. It’s about how they put themselves in the story, their insight, and how they exert effort to become relevant to their readers. Their story should not be about them but how their story will help their readers make a better decision,” she added.
Torral said bloggers should see their interest or hobby as an opportunity to foster goodwill and to promote “ideas that will make our country better.”
“Sometimes bloggers are afraid to do certain things because they saw others doing it already and they don’t want to be accused of copying. At the end of the day we all have our different audience… A blog needs to establish a certain relationship to their readers and the people who believe in them,” she added.
Meanwhile, investigative journalist Raissa Robles, who won the award for best blog in the society and politics category for raissarobles.com, said blogs can be agents of change in the “crossroads” that is the 2016 elections, as she sought the support of her fellow bloggers for a special project.
“We have to choose wisely and we have to choose well. Freedom is very much alive in this country,” Robles said in a short speech after accepting her award.
‘Alive, well, and world-class’
Highlighting the “talent, passion, and impact” of the entries, INQUIRER.net editor in chief and judge John Nery shared how the panel had a difficulty in picking the winners because many blogs have world-class quality.
“The Philippine blogging scene is alive and well,” Nery said in his closing remarks.
“Precisely because of the quality, I think it’s important to stress that each of the finalist should be considered as a winner, too,” he added.
Bloggys, a nationwide blogging event, recognized the “most relevant and engaging” blogs owned and written by Filipinos. Bloggers and readers started nominating entries in September.
Aside from Rotor and Robles, this year’s Bloggys winners include googleygoeys.com for arts and entertainment, projectvanity.com for beauty and fashion, tycoon.ph for business and finance, asksonnie.info for corporate and brand, teachwithjoy.com for family and relationships, michaelsshadesofblue.blogspot.com for fiction and literature, pepper.ph for food and dining, pinoyfitness.com for health and fitness, wheninmanila.com for lifestyle and hobbies, thedailypedia.com for news and events, sawrites.blogspot.com for personal diary, two2travel.com for photo blog, pinoymountaineer.com for sports and recreation, backtogaming.com for technology and Internet, and biyaherongbarat.com for travel and places.
Pepper.ph was also awarded as the best designed blog and the overall Bloggys champion. TVJ
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