By Joshua Corcuera
On this day, 20 years ago, Western Visayas saw the birth of something so compelling and so essential; something that people from that great region would be grateful for coming into existence — the foundation of Daily Guardian. At that time, I’m just a few months old, a time where I literally do not remember anything at all just like any other person at that age. I was also born and raised here in the Philippine capital, far from the serene and quiet life of the countryside.
During the 2020 pandemic — which continues up to now, unfortunately — I found the luxury of writing articles and contributing such to some publications including Daily Guardian. Since then, I continued writing with the hopes of giving the youth a voice on the pertinent issues of the day. Even though Manila and Iloilo are separated by seas and fields for over 600 kilometers, the common cause of amplifying the voice of the masses brings me closer to Daily Guardian.
We live in an interesting time, not only in a time where the pandemic significantly altered our lives, but also in a time of polarized politics which is partly to blame for apparent attacks on press freedom. We saw how the critical press is attacked in the veil of the law, how journalists who merely seek and tell the truth face countless threats from trolls, and how the agents of truth and impartiality are being silenced. But journalists will never cower, rather they will only gain greater courage; greater courage to continue the journey of speaking the truth to power and presenting the voices of the people in both sides of the social spectrum.
Amid the public health crisis and consistent, unwavering attacks on press freedom, the important — no, not only important but necessary — role of community journalism takes center stage. Regional publications are in the spotlight of continuing the fight for an enlightened society that is eager to set things right and give justice and peace to the people. In where I study — an enormous university in Manila — I have been a student journalist for almost two years already. There, I saw personally how community journalism awakens the community, particularly how the community talks with a sense of urgency to issues that matter to them. For instance, coverage on whether or not academic breaks are granted amid the pandemic is regularly tracked by the student publication’s followers. The point is that, even though print newspapers are decreasing with the rise of digital technology, journalism, in general, would continue to play a necessary role in society in one form or another. The fact that publications, whether national or regional in level, can spark genuine and positive change in society should serve as the ikigai of journalists.
As Daily Guardian celebrates its 20th birthday, we must be reminded that community journalism and regional publications will continue its fight forward no matter what. Neither a pandemic nor disinformation and lies nor consistent attacks on press freedom would stop them; after all, these challenges can be offset by the rewards that will be reaped once the truth has prevailed. And, in the end, as history has always shown, the truth shall prevail. Ang katotohanan ang siyang mananaig.
