To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.
~Louis L’Amour
1. WHY IS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IMPORTANT IN A DEMOCRACY?
Democracy is a system where the eligible members of the state select the government. Freedom of the press is important in a democracy because the press is the one informing citizens about public affairs, events and monitoring the actions of government at all levels. The Press is the voice of people, it is considered to be the voice of the voiceless. It helps us be updated, informed and be aware of the current events, news and other important details that is happening around us
2. WHY ARE LIBEL LAWS AND CENSORSHIP CONSIDERED THREATS TO OUR CIVIL PROPERTY?
Under Article 353 of the Philippines Revised Penal Code, it defined libel as a “public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”
At first reading, it may look like a threat to our right of information, sometimes, YES, but honestly? Libel laws protects anyone from being attacked or slandered. Same with censorship. Censorship occurs when individuals or groups try to prevent others from saying, printing, or depicting words and images. Sometimes people misjudge this because they aren’t the ones being charged by the law or in the worst end of the circumstances. It just depend on how the press use it. It may be good or bad.
3. WHY IS THE PRINCIPLE OF SELF-REGULATION NECESSARY IN MEDIA?
Self regulation is needed in media because it our basis in how we respond in a media based generation. Self-regulation is like etiquette because it involves controlling one’s behavior, emotions. It helps us become aware, civilized and conscious in how we act round media. It stops us from saying too much in public (media).
La Solidaridad
La Solidaridad was a political propaganda paper with a liberal, reformist orientation dedicated to the task of fighting reaction in all its forms. It was founded on February 15, 1889 and existed up to November 15, 1895. It was published in a from of a newspaper, more specifically a broadsheet. To find out how La Solidaridad contributed to democracy in a form of a print media, click the video above!!
Media and Information Literacy 