Pilipino Press 2

U.S. gave freedom to Cuba in the early 1900s. Puerto Rico had many freedom since 1910 all lost while they don’t want to be Americans, they were very happy to be foster children of U.S. and enjoy all the good things American citizens have smart. This is the difference between U.S. style Press Freedom and that of the European colonizers.

U.S. in 1898 gave us all the American rights under the 1787 Constitution: elections, free speech, press freedom, civil service, independent courts peaceably assemble for redress of grievances, liberal trade business practices, education, health welfare. What U.S. gave to Pilipinos in 1898 the Europeans never gave to the Asian colonies. Some Asian colonies on getting freedom in the 1940s had never experienced/felt/enjoyed/knew U.S. democratic ideas/Rules on Civil service, of free speech, free press, election, local governance (elections in towns, cities, provinces, etc.), peaceably assemble for redness of grievances, peaceful marches, demonstrations.

The U.S. idea we received was that “We” means the people, (Power belongs to the people) while the state/government is the servant of the people, and is an instrument to carry out the policies, programs, dreams of the people. Pilipino news men who have been to abroad noticed that the commentaries, social platform news, TV, Radio programs in other Asian nations are not as robust, free wheeling, spirited as ours. Asian Press is still timid, reluctant and touchy, extra careful in dealing with social/political issues. Asian press suffered a lot when Asian nations were fighting for freedom (1945-1975) so the stigma, fear, danger from their own governments (not with their former colonial masters) is still a part of their consciousness culture/tradition/usage.

We are very lucky that U.S. was our colonial master. Our press was never treated badly during the colonial period because of the American free style/open/fair play approach to press freedom, free speech, access to court, bill of rights, peaceably assemble, march, demonstrate, rally that we enjoyed. We lost this in 1972 but we recovered it in 1986 bruised, beaten but unbowed. Free Press, Free speech, right to peaceably assemble, elections, independent court is what makes a nation. Mabuhay!