Journalism as a phenomenal chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is globally one of the most important ornamental in terms of sociological and economic importance. It has a lot of colors with emblematic concepts in each type of it such as yellow for sorrow, violet for loyalty, and red for truth, just, fairness, and equality.

The same notion can be applied when talking about Journalism. Radically, journalism is very essential to every nation. It serves as ‘voice of a voiceless’, manifesting opinions of all those in our society. It also has principles, practices, and ethics that are needing to be executed in a well manner in order to write, report, and reveal a truth in an effective manner—media plays a vital role in a democratic society.

Philippines is one of the vigorous country in terms of media and journalism. It contains different aspects that cater to the interest of the local audience. Television, radio, tabloid, and the online media market are aspects of domestic media demand. We support this kind platforms because we all know how important it is to be informed at all times and how it can affect our lives.

Truth-telling is one of the main objective of journalism. Journalists are tasked with telling stories and reporting the facts. But telling the truth in our nation is to put one's possess life at hazard. Uncovering that which is degenerate and harming to the open is seen as a challenge to political control—nearly continuously with critical results.

Henceforth, I firmly believe that truth-telling is the main reason why journalists still experience multiple conundrum, threats, and violence. Despite the massive existence of international laws and our statutes it still occurs. Fundamentally, it’s mainly because of those powerful politicians who don’t want their negative actions to be broadcast to the public. Especially those who were involved in graft and corruption motives.

If we will broaden our perspective from the past experiences of journalism to our country, we can observe that it's really cruel and unjust. During the reign of Ferdinand Marcos, he closed newspapers and radio stations. He controlled the media and plundered it at will. Those who opposed him often paid with their lives.

Recently, in the midst of pandemic this administration also shuts down not just a network, but the context of Press Freedom as a whole. ABS-CBN lost their press freedom and the freedom to inform the public, they also lost a total of 11,000 permanent and freelance contract workers. A barbaric indication that this administration is a tyranny.

Those who restrict the truth has continuously endeavored to quiet a free media. They utilize bombs, bullets, incarcerations, dangers, and wrong charges. Yet the power of the word, with one well-placed and outspoken journalist armed with the truth, and evidence of corruption, can be as powerful as a bomb as the truth can also drop like a bombshell.

The truth can bring down the mighty from their thrones. Investigative and dedicated journalists of integrity are threats to wrongdoers in society. They need protection and the freedom to speak and write the truth and tell it as it is.

Conclusively, with the help of principles and practices of journalism through exposing the truth we will be able to solve hindrances in our country. We will be to calibrate our minds and the perception of public to get informed and educated to a lot of societal issues that we are facing. Thus, we should arm ourselves with these valuable principles and practices in order for us to fight and defend our press and freedom in a more compelling way.

Lastly, As we continue to fight for our country, press freedom, and rights, I hope that someday these yellow chrysanthemums will turn into a red ones.