MANILA, Philippines — Outgoing Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday told campus journalists to “never print, post or circulate” anything that “is not the truth.”
Duterte gave the reminder to participants of this year’s National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) at a kick-off ceremony in Carcar City, Cebu.
“Never print or post or circulate something that you know is not the truth,” Duterte said in her opening remarks.
“Huwag ninyong gawin na sirain ang buhay ng ibang tao, sirain ang imahe ng iba’t ibang organisasyon o ng mga tao sa alam niyong hindi totoo. Never assume, and don’t lie sa inyong trabaho,” she added.
(Do not destroy other people’s lives, destroy the image of various organizations or people for what you know is not true. Never assume, and don’t lie in your work.)
Duterte also urged students never to mix “assumption and opinion” in writing their reports.
“‘Pag opinyon ninyo ang sinusulat ninyo, never assume anything. Huwag ninyong ipaghalo ang assumption at opinyon, magkaibang bagay ‘yon,” she said.
(If what you write is your opinion, never assume anything. Do not mix assumption and opinion, those are different things.)
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The NSPC is held annually pursuant to Republic Act 7079. It aims to recognize the role of journalism in advocating for social consciousness and environmental awareness and promote fair and ethical use of media as tenets of responsible journalism.
The competition’s opening marks one of Duterte’s last events as education secretary after she resigned from her post on June 19, which will be effective exactly a month after or on July 19.
Senator Sonny Angara is set to replace Duterte.
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