TWO leading Filipino journalists will be the recipient of Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Leadership in Journalism for their commitment to the truth, justice, peace and press freedom despite the dangers and reprisals they have to contend with in their line of work.
Howie Severino of GMA-7 and Patricia Evangelista of ANC were unanimously chosen by the Award’s jury for effectively using media to dig into issues and concerns affecting people’s lives.
Severino writes, produces and hosts television documentaries on environment and other issues that affect the lives of people.
A columnist in a national paper, Evangelista also produces documentaries with social themes.
The two will be awarded with Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Leadership in Journalism and Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Emergent Leadership in Journalism, respectively.
“Both journalists can inspire the media industry and challenge ‘aspiring journalists’ to make a difference in a multi-faceted media world,” the awarding body’s press statement said.
Two other journalists were cited posthumously for their journalistic heroism.
Slain journalists Edgar Damalerio and Marlene Esperat will be awarded posthumously with Titus Brandsma Award Philippines for Press Freedom, for having “lived the spirit of Blessed Titus Brandsma and stood for the truth in times of threats, compromises, despite odds and reprisals from the powers that-be.”
Winners were selected for their integrity, commitment and consistency in the practice of their profession; for promoting press freedom; and for their principled vigilance and fearless courage in confronting the burning issues of the day.
The jury also noted the journalists’ “impact on society as they empower individuals in creating a critical readership, viewership, online surfers, among others, towards human development.”
Citing Filipino journalists for their integrity and commitment to the truth can serve as inspiration and model in today’s society that sorely lacks modern-day heroes, the awarding body said.
The Titus Brandsma Award Philippines is the Philippines’ version of the international Titus Brandsma Award given by the Union Catholique Inaternationale de la’ Presse (UCIP), the world association of professionals in secular and religious media.
The Award is named in honor of Carmelite priest Blessed Titus Brandsma.
A professional journalist, educator and mystic, Brandsma was imprisoned and killed by the Nazi for defending press freedom and the right of people to catholic education. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1985 and was hailed as “Martyr of Press Freedom.”
The awarding ceremony is slated at 5 p.m. on July 29 at the Titus Brandsma Center at New Manila, Quezon City.
No comments:
Post a Comment