By Dr. Herman M. Lagon
In honor of the Daily Guardian’s 23rd year in operation, we take stock of its legacy and look forward to seeing how community journalism in Western Visayas develops in the years to come. The Daily Guardian has been reporting the news and shaping public discourse since its founding by the visionary Sir Lemuel Fernandez. It has also reflected the community’s pulse during its seamless transition from print to a dynamic internet presence.
Daily Guardian has grown from its humble origins to become a stronghold of community journalism dedicated to informing the public. The major exposé on local government mismanagement, which garnered recognition and restored public faith and accountability in our institutions, exemplifies this transition. Such influential articles, plus many others with depth and breadth—including the 150+ humble outputs of mine so far—highlight the Daily Guardian’s relevance in influencing public opinion, cultural identity, and policy.
Meanwhile, despite digitalization’s numerous advantages, its disadvantages are many-fold by the exponential rise of AI, the Internet of Things, and the fourth industrial revolution. Media organizations must be adaptable and inventive to meet the demands for fast, accurate, real-time, and relevant reporting as these new technologies transform the news industry.
Despite these difficulties, Daily Guardian has continued to publish in print and online. It guarantees that the community receives up-to-date and pertinent information, maximizing AI techniques for quicker news aggregation and analysis and utilizing applications to improve real-time reporting. With the help of these technological advancements, DG’s audience has grown, and it is now an ambassador for the culture and progress of the region, reaching people all over the world instantly.
The digital gap, disinformation, threats, financial sustainability, “envelop-mental” media, and “yellow” journalism are significant obstacles the legitimate local media must overcome. Thus, Daily Guardian’s dedication to public service and honest journalism remains, as evidenced by its articles’ quality, depth, and breadth. DG has implemented fact-checking methods to ensure financial survival without compromising its editorial independence, launched digital literacy campaigns to combat disinformation, and diversified its revenue streams through expanded digital subscriptions and community collaborations.
Community journalism is essential to maintaining social harmony in culturally diverse regions like ours. With this, the Daily Guardian provides its readers with a sense of community and strength by highlighting local traditions, accomplishments, and the hidden heroes among us. With most of its readers showing a stronger sense of community connection due to its materials and platforms, its engagement metrics demonstrate a notable uptick in audience engagement.
Looking ahead, Daily Guardian is poised to continue its evolution in the digital landscape. It remains committed to staying abreast of global media trends while honoring its heritage. Its future plans include enhancing interactive features and personalized information delivery, a testament to its adaptive strategy in a digital world. Daily Guardian’s commitment to local journalism as the bedrock of informed and involved communities is unwavering.
As the 23-year-old Daily Guardian celebrates this milestone, it is at a crossroads where tradition and innovation meet. Truth and public service are the bedrock of its history and identity; the digital revolution shapes our present, and the future holds limitless opportunities. The people of Western Visayas and the world will undoubtedly continue to benefit from Daily Guardian’s innovative reporting for many years.
***
Doc H fondly describes himself as a ‘student of and for life’ who, like many others, aspires to a life-giving and why-driven world that is grounded in social justice and the pursuit of happiness. His views herewith do not necessarily reflect those of the institutions he is employed or connected with.
