Cebu Press Freedom Week kicks off with a parade at 7 a.m. today participated by practitioners from print, broadcast and digital media.
The annual celebration combines camaraderie and industry forums that discuss issues of media responsibility, the role of journalists and threats to press freedom.
The annual “Freedom Walk” will start at Fuente Osmeña circle and head for the Blessed John XXIII Seminary gym passing by General Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo Avenue and Cardinal Rosales Avenue in the Cebu Business Park.
About 800 practitioners from Cebu’s community newspapers, radio, TV and online outlets will attend.
Sun.Star is this year’s lead convenor of the celebration following a rotation scheme that had Cebu Daily News as last year’s lead group.
Fr. Ramon Echica will celebrate Mass today before the Opening Program, which includes a contest of dance presentations and raffles.
A Mr. and Miss Cebu Press Freedom pageant was held last night at Haolds Hotel as a pre-celebration event.
On Monday, the KBP Cebu Chapter will host a dialogue between government information officers and the news media called “Strengthening Partnership for an Empowered Community” at the Marcelo Fernan Cebu Press Center.
On Tuesday, Globe will honor journalists in the the 2nd Media Excellence Awards at the Cebu Marriott Hotel.
Another forum on Wednesday will tackle Senate Bill 53 or the Magna Carta for Philippine Internet Freedom and Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, while the Cebu Federation of Beat Journalist (CFBJ) will have its annual assembly..
The Cebu Citizens-Press Council will meet on Thursday. On Friday, the Embassy of Canada and the Cebu Association of Communication Educators will hold a forum called “Ensuring Synergy: A Dialogue Between the Academe and the Cebu Media Industry.”
Cebu Daily News will host its annual film showing for mass media students with “We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks” at 1 p.m. at the MBC Cebu Press Center.
A closing fellowship party will be held on Saturday evening after a full day that include a 6 a.m. Freedom Run at the Cebu Business Park, a BioChallenge and inter-beat basketball championship games at the Cebu Eastern College gym. /Chief of Reporters Doris Bongcac