Cebu journalists unite for Press Freedom Week

CEBU CITY—As the country recalls one of its darkest eras, print and broadcast journalists here set aside intense competition for a week to celebrate press freedom.

The Cebu Press Freedom Week, now on its 17th year, falls every third week of September to coincide with the anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, 1972.

“They cannot just violate our rights because we are united,” said Michelle So, president of Cebu Press Freedom Week Inc.

The celebration officially started in September 1994, but the annual press freedom commemoration began in November 1990 when Bobby Nalzaro, then commentator of dyMF, was beaten up over his report on excessive fare collection in barges plying the Mactan Island and Mandaue City route.

The Council of Cebu Media Leaders supported Nalzaro and came out with a resolution condemning the act.

Since then, journalists here hold a parade every Sunday leading to the anniversary of martial law to fight for press freedom. In 1994, media leaders in Cebu realized they weren’t doing enough for press freedom.

The group decided to hold a week-long celebration and include students, who would become future journalists, and news sources.

The celebration starts today with a Press Freedom Walk from city hall in downtown Cebu City to the social hall at the Capitol, a distance of about 1.5 kilometers.

Media workers from three English dailies—Cebu Daily News, SunStar Cebu and Freeman—will take part in the parade. Workers from two Cebuano tabloids—Banat and SunStar SuperBalita—will also join. Broadcast industry personalities are also expected to take part in the parade.