Veteran broadcast journalist Karmina Constantino, recipient of the 2022 Marshall McLuhan Fellowship, spoke before members of the Filipino community at The Filipino Centre Toronto on May 14, 2023.
In her presentation entitled “Revisiting the Basics: The Role of the Journalist in Critical Public Discourse and in Seeking Accountability in a Post-Truth Era,” Constantino recalled how former president Rodrigo Duterte waged an all-out war on drugs, spread disinformation to justify his actions, and relentlessly attacked and discredited the media.
In an age when information is often manipulated by those in power to fit their political agenda, and when lies spread much faster than facts, Constantino said it has become increasingly challenging for journalists to present the truth and promote transparency in government.
For Constantino, in this so-called post-truth era, it has become imperative for journalists to:
1) Put a stop to every attempt at deceiving the public. It is the media’s responsibility to present historical facts and hard truths to combat deception.
“Duterte deceived his followers into thinking that dead bodies turning up on the streets is normal, that suspects dying in police operations is normal, that thousands of deaths in the name of the drug war is worth it, and that human rights is worth nothing.”
“He allowed the burial of Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and justified it by stating that the accusations against the dictator were mere allegations. This, despite all the documented cases of human rights abuse during the Marcos regime.”
2) Demand transparency and hold those in power responsible for each and every action they make.
“Government officials must be held accountable for human rights abuses, for gender inequality, for the social, economic & climate injustice, for the culture of impunity, for the disinformation, for the funds lost to corruption.”
3) Ask the questions that need to be asked to keep the public informed and help them make enlightened decisions.
“If people have the correct and complete information, then they’re free to make decisions.”
4) “Remind sitting officials or those who want to be one that they do not have power over the people. That in fact, their power, as in any democracy, emanates from the people.”
“When political candidates present themselves as a better alternative, journalists have to make sure they’re challenged with probing questions. Our goal, at the very least, is to present the public with a possibility of ownership over each decision they make, especially when it comes to electing would-be public servants.
5) Hold the line in spite of pressures from government forces and big businesses.
“There are only a few (journalists) now who remain loyal to our duty to the country and her people. But it doesn’t mean that our voices should be as low as our numbers. Journalists have to be relentless in making sure that a story is told.”
Constantino was awarded the McLuhan Fellowship for her “unflinching commitment to speak truth to power, consistency in ferreting out the most complicated issues of the day, and courage to ask the toughest questions.” Toronto was the first stop in her two-week speaking tour around Canada.
