The way things are, and should be

If one is writing a column or simply posting his thoughts on the internet, there are several topics which are readily available. However, the writing part is always the hardest. In fact, the drawing of opinion is not an easy task. It entails a lot of research and data gathering to formulate a decent, if not a sensible conclusion. It is always subjective as journalists would argue. From the opinion itself to the topic chosen – and even on the sources gathered – objectivity is reduced to the factuality of well, facts. If there is one thing which is true about opinion writing, it is the reality that we are bounded by such in formulating our judgment.

Which leads to the fact, the reality and the truth: writing is subjective. No ifs, no buts.

Amongst the hottest topics nowadays is the charter change, the ‘hidden’ martial law, the detention of the Batasan Five, the economy, and even the destabilization plots against the government. Never mind that it all revolves around a central topic which is politics. It has been proven that aside from “tsismis,” politics sells like hotcakes. How we Filipinos love politics. From shows like “Unang Hirit” to the late-night documentaries, the central theme would always be about it.

Having said so, it reminds me of what a friend said over a cup of coffee. He complained of too much politicking on our society, particularly on media. I take it that this is a normal phase on any developing country. Democracy, having been enjoyed by Filipinos for less than a century, we are still “testing” the limits of this ideology. How far could freedom of the press and of speech go? What is exactly the boundary between inciting to sedition and criticizing the administration? The law limits such rights but each circumstance and each case may bring-up a different interpretation as to what the law prescribes.

Because of this, the administration should not be onion-skinned in dealing with the criticism it gets from media. So long as we have not yet attained that amount of political maturity, politics and governance would always be a staple. Sure, there are other aspects of life such as the arts, culture and even fine cuisine. But no matter how we look at it, these things are only secondary. Tell Congress and Malacañang to concentrate more on other matters and the media would follow suit. News organizations are but a reflection of the current system we have.

Which leads me to say that there is no fool-proof way in “controlling” the media. The media owes itself to safeguard its ranks against scalawags and abusive personnel. In fact, no amount of government regulation or standard may be set-up without crossing the line of free speech. It is not the administration’s duty, neither is it mandated by law, to watch over the watchers. In the task of disseminating information, one does not need interference in fulfilling such task.

What’s wrong with the media being responsible? What’s wrong with developmental journalism and promotion of the economy? Media’s responsibility is being true to their calling. It should be unbiased, factual and fair. The concept of being responsible is something that must be left to the news organization itself. The people are not fools when it comes to what they should believe in and what they should not. A fine example would be ABS-CBN and its ties with Meralco. Its rating dropped because of alleged protection of the interests of its owners.

Developmental journalism, on the other hand, is quite a different thing. Remove the “D” and you have “envelopmental” journalism. For those who do not know, these are journalists who are on the list of pay-roll by politicians and by those in power. All praises could be seen on this kind of work, evidently blinded by the glitter of money to portray a good image to his patron. Developmental journalism, in its strictest sense, is watching over the development of a project, of highlighting its importance, and of criticizing – if necessary – of activities and projects of the government. It is still adversarial. The tone may have been cut-down, but the essence still remains the same.

To put things simply, this article is about how politics would continue to be the main topic of media organizations. As said earlier, we have not yet attained that degree of political maturity to concentrate more on other things. This is the reason why Gloria and her staff would remain to be the center of attention. This is also the reason why she must not restrict its movement instead of allowing a free flow of debates and arguments. Presidente kasi ‘sya. Part ‘yun ng job description.

It was Victor Hugo who said, “I may not agree with what you say but I’ll fight to the end your right to say it.” This is the essence of democracy. Would you rather prefer a silent media over a noisy one? Baka patay na o nakakulong na kaya tahimik. The real scary part is: if the government could issue orders against media and its inherent freedom, what more could it do to ordinary citizens? Abusadong media o abusadong gobyerno? Mamili ka.

With or without diploma

As I was looking over some of the things I have written in the past few years, I was reminded again of the reason why I finished college and why I pursued higher education for that matter. In fact, some people I admire were not college graduates. They merely stood above the rest in the chosen fields they have ventured.

But this is not to say that I have any regret on finally having that diploma. In a society that equates such to education – to what a person actually knows – this is an achievement in itself. For one, you are not alone in going through all that college crap. On my case, I knew that it was my parents and my relatives who were gladdened that I finally could be called a graduate. For others, the same thing is a symbol of a better future; a hope and a dream rolled-out on a piece of paper; a chance to increase one’s status and stature in life.

I am compelled to say – by which I am doing this in all humility – that I became speaker for numerous events absent the diploma. Then, I reasoned that I was always the speaker but never the graduate. Having been a media practitioner since I was 16, I could confidently say that my training was enough. Having passed through numerous editors and mentors, real life offered me more than what any journalism class could offer. The actuality of being in the thick of things provided me with the know-how of publication and the inside-and-outs of the profession. But despite of this, there are some people who would not accept me in their academic circle.

I remember distinctly how Vergel Santos of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) argued that a diploma is not necessary in media. All that was needed, he said, is a mastery of the language and a week of training. Or how one engineer from a prestigious company boasted on having trained a mason into becoming an effective construction supervisor. He said, kulang na lang sa diploma, ang piyon niya ay engineer na. The truth of the matter is, given the proper training and exposure, anyone could become what he had always dreamt to be. A grain of truth that escapes us nowadays is that real education and knowledge could not be monopolized by those who went to school.

But as I also experienced, the reality of things would always be such. Undergraduates are found way below the level of those who have a diploma. A quick glance at the resume is already a deciding factor to get hired or to get fired. Never mind what he knows, mind what is written on his bio-data.

It has always been a state policy that education be instilled among its citizens. A sound mind in a strong body; a Greek philosophy emulated by every democratic country. But democracy requires equality. This, I fear, is absent in the educational system we have.

If only education were not capitalized into becoming a gross business venture. Even graduates have problems finding a job because they did not come from a prestigious university. And the trend nowadays is that one must have at least have earned a Master’s degree to be preferred over everyone else. I personally know of stories of smart, young people who have finished college on time – who are responsible and hard-working – but are having problems finding a decent job. Some became policemen while others worked in factories and other odd jobs enduring problems of contractualization and poor working conditions.

The blatant display of inequity inside and outside school is mirrored by the college graduates we produce. A graduate of a small-town college is no match for a university graduate. Enrollment and other school fees are exorbitant to the point that many are forced to quit school. More than this, even the allotment for the gains of the Reformed Value Added Tax (RVAT) is grossly laid-out. While 70% would go to debt services, only the remaining 30% would go to infrastructure and education. Even state colleges are hard-pressed for money that they could no longer amply support their students and faculty.

Why inequity? Inequity in its strictest sense means unfairness. It is unfair that some people can’t go to school and it is also unfair that the government should care more for paying debts than educating its youth. Again, should we blame the economy and all the hardships it produces? It’s called priority. Put education down your list of priorities and expect that in the near future, the same problems of the government would crop-up all over again.

But this is not to discourage people from going to school. In fact, I encourage everyone who has a chance to do so. But let us be reminded that real education could not be found only at the four-corners of a classroom. Strive hard to learn everything that you can inside the school and be wary on how time swiftly flies. And when you do get that diploma, do not solely rely on such. It has been proven that though it is quite valuable, the same may not be enough for the real world.

I finished college in order to get that diploma. Now, I know that it is just a piece of paper and a bit of word that I could write on my resume. But I did learn things at college that I would not find elsewhere. It is the realization that education is not education if it is confined, inhibited from learning newer things. It is the knowledge that a diploma is but a small piece on proving your real worth. I also learned that unless we become vigilant with the priorities of the government, college is worthless both before and after graduation.
In the end, education would teach us that it is our duty to constantly remind the government on how lowly our education system had come to be. That education may be found with or without a diploma. For those who have not finished college, do not despair. Those who did also experience the same problems as you do. And for those who did, let us all be reminded that real education does not stop during graduation time. Let society be our teacher and let its lessons be our driving force.

Positively

I am the weakest person I know. I am strong yet I am weak.