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HUMAN RIGHTS
Sulong Learning Series: Moving Forward for Meaningful Change

2.8 Minutes
User
  Frances Nacua
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Ms. Jacque Manabat and Mr. Jonathan De Santos’ discussion on press freedom in the Philippines and its importance to our country.

© Kyra Nicole Abastillas

The Sulong Learning Series is an initiative by FNF Philippines, aiming to facilitate meaningful exchanges of dialogue and share relevant information about pressing societal issues, as shared by people who are knowledgeable and experienced on the subject. This year’s Sulong Learning Series is divided into two phases: the first phase, from July to August, and the second phase, to be released in December.

 

The first phase of the learning series took place on National Press Freedom Day. The episode was hosted by Ms. Jacque Manabat, an independent journalist and content creator, interviewing Mr. Jonathan De Santos, Chairperson of the National Union of Journalists. Together, they had a meaningful conversation that tackled the state of press freedom here in the Philippines. Currently, the Philippines ranks 116 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index. According to Mr. De Santos, the basis of this ranking was the lesser killings of journalists, and this data could be interpreted as the Philippines' rise to the ranking; the state of press freedom in the world has dropped. Many journalists are still harassed, killed, and unlawfully jailed by authoritarian regimes.

Press freedom can be summed up in a simple phrase: the right to ask. It is also the right to freely express authentic news, opinion, and current stance on various issues. This allows journalists to deliver the truth to the public. The act of suppressing press freedom would mean suppressing the truth from the public.

The second phase of the Sulong Learning Series tackles several pressing issues in our society today such as cyberbullying and online violence, online disinformation and misinformation, digital discrimination against the LGBTQIA+, Women’s Rights and Online Violence, and PWD Inclusion in the Digital Space. Unlike the sit-down interview style of the first episode, the subsequent episodes feature speakers who directly address the audience, sharing their experiences and advocating for the aforementioned subjects. 

 

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Ms. Tina Boado, resource person, discussed digital discrimination against LGBTQIA+.

© Frances Nacua
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FNF Team posed for a photo with Ms. Julienne Ipapo, resource person on cyberbullying and online violence.

© Frances Nacua

Our time is now. The change that we want to see is enforced by speaking up about it, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. These problems will continue to persist in our society if we do not will ourselves to step out, get informed, and listen to the voices of people who directly experience these problems. Fascism and bigotry thrive on ignorance. Let us refuse to be ignorant so these things do not find a way to bleed through the cracks in society.

Frances Nacua is serving as an intern at FNF Philippines from September to December 2025.