The celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week aims to remind the public and the press that the freedom they enjoy must be protected from all threats. The celebration brings together not just Cebu journalists but also members of the public invited to activities that range from forums and training sessions to photo exhibits and fellowship.

The Cebu Press Freedom Week Inc. board of trustees lays down the policies on the management of the weeklong celebration. Continue Reading

By Erma M. Cuizon

From left, Sun.Star Daily issues in September 1988, 1984 and 1994 announce the activities of the Cebu Press Freedom Week celebration.

It was 30 years ago when Cebu media in 1984 came together as advocates of truth in community living and to declare the power of the voice in the press. From then on, Cebu media tried its best to celebrate press freedom every year. This Sept. 20-27 is the 22nd celebration of the Cebu Press Freedom Week, continually empowering the efforts to unify and speak for the people.

Years before the Cebu press came together with one voice on its freedom, there were instances of persecutions from the 1970s up to the ‘80s during the Martial Law regime, especially in the ‘80s when there were cases of persecutions, killings and arrests of Cebu media personalities in a period in Philippine history when the voice of the people was stifled, not only in Cebu, but throughout the country.

But it was also in the ‘80s that Cebu media started to work in groups, to celebrate the freedom of the country after Martial Law was “lifted” and dictator Ferdinand Marcos fled the country while the Edsa Revolution would then show the world the Filipino spirit for freedom. Continue Reading

By Rebelander S. Basilan

THE EARLY YEARS. From left, Mildred Galarpe, then from The Freeman; Jack Biantan (holding megaphone) and Thea Riñen (holding fan), both then from Sun.Star Daily (since renamed Sun.Star Cebu); and Jane Paredes (holding two children), then from dyRC, join the opening parade during an early celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week.

It started as a simple activity in 1994. Looking back, journalist-lawyer Pachico Seares said the first Cebu Press Freedom Week (CPFW) featured a fun walk, an opening night and a closing night, with one or two forums in between.

The first CPFW, in which less than 50 people participated, was meant to show a unified media that responds to any attempt to suppress its rights.

“It has turned out to be more than that,” Seares said. “It’s a showcase of media unity but it’s also a reservoir of goodwill and fellowship, a place for colleagues and competitors to gather, talk, chill out.”

The beginning of CPFW can be traced back to as early as Sept. 10, 1988, when leaders of media organizations in Cebu formed the Council of Cebu Media Leaders (CCML). Continue Reading