PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales will be the keynote speakers in the 16th National Press Forum scheduled on April 23-24 at the Traders Hotel in Manila.
The President’s appearance will mark the first time since the forum was revived 25 years ago that the country’s head of state will address the annual gathering of owners, publishers and editors from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The President is expected to deliver a message on the “protection and preservation of press freedom and democracy” in the opening ceremonies on April 23.
Justice Carpio-Morales will keynote the Community Press Awards, honoring the best civic journalism reportage of the previous year.
The event also marks the 48th founding year of PPI since 1964.
It was rendered moribund during martial law, re-activated after the People Power Revolution, and incorporated in 1987.
The National Press Forum gathers owners and publishers of the country’s 72 active publications in Manila.
The event will focus on issues concerning the industry and the professional and ethical practice of journalism.
This year’s conference theme, “Media Accountability and Public Engagement” will serve as an assessment of media since the restoration of democracy over 25 years ago.
Attendant topics to be discussed include the “Asian Media Barometer: The Philippine Study,” media self-regulation and the safety and welfare of journalists.
PPI is the national association of newspapers whose principal mandate is to protect press freedom and continually professionalize newspapers via seminars, workshop, forums and partnerships with media organizations. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus