MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD
by Gregorio V. Bituin Jr.
published as editorial of the Fourth Estate, February 1998, p. 2
According to British novelist 1st Baron Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton (1803-73), "The pen is mightier than the sword." The pen, which helps us to convey messages to one another, is a simple and handy invention. This is a tool for journalist, for people whose vocation is to inform, to mould opinion, chronicle events, write history and shape the destinies of generations.
The pen is our mighty weapon against all types of repression. This is the tool of those who adhere for the freedom of the press, the weapon in upholding and defending the truth, in defending the right of the people to know, for democracy, for social progress and social justice.
From our ancestor's ancient form of writing to Rizal's Noli and Fili to Marcelo H. Del Pilar's editorials to the hardhitting pen of Danny Hernandez, we can see how powerful the pen is in moulding our destiny, in defending the truth, in fighting for freedom and social justice.
We use our mighty pen to inform, to tell the truth, and not to manipulate other people's belief. But still, we must recognize the fact that the pen is just an instrument. The most important is the people who use this pen. The people, more than anything else, are the most precious thing here on earth, mot money nor profits. Therefore, to uphold and defend the truth, the pen and the principled journalist are twins that should always be together. Together in the battlefield of news reporting, feature writing, sending important messages, and so on. Together in searching and upholding the truth.
The Reporters Without Borders (PWB), a journalist's rights group in France, reported that since 1986, at least six hundred (600) journalists from different parts of the world were killed in the line of duty, most of whom while covering violent conflicts, such as Bosnia. That's how risky the journalism profession is. Here in the Philippines, the Philippine Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF) has recorded 50 journalists killed since the 1986 EDSA revolution. But they did not include in the list those mediapersons killed for reasons unrelated to their profession.
That's how risky our mighty pen is. Although there were many journalists killed in the battlefield worldwide, we will always adhere to our commitment in the noblest profession we know. Upholding the truth and press freedom is our covenant to the people. This is our pledge to the people's right to know. No amount of bullet can stop us in pursuing truth and social justice. Against all odds, we will never surrender. Over our dead body. Yes, our pen will always be mightier than the sword.
published as editorial of the Fourth Estate, February 1998, p. 2
According to British novelist 1st Baron Edward George Earle Bulwer-Lytton (1803-73), "The pen is mightier than the sword." The pen, which helps us to convey messages to one another, is a simple and handy invention. This is a tool for journalist, for people whose vocation is to inform, to mould opinion, chronicle events, write history and shape the destinies of generations.
The pen is our mighty weapon against all types of repression. This is the tool of those who adhere for the freedom of the press, the weapon in upholding and defending the truth, in defending the right of the people to know, for democracy, for social progress and social justice.
From our ancestor's ancient form of writing to Rizal's Noli and Fili to Marcelo H. Del Pilar's editorials to the hardhitting pen of Danny Hernandez, we can see how powerful the pen is in moulding our destiny, in defending the truth, in fighting for freedom and social justice.
We use our mighty pen to inform, to tell the truth, and not to manipulate other people's belief. But still, we must recognize the fact that the pen is just an instrument. The most important is the people who use this pen. The people, more than anything else, are the most precious thing here on earth, mot money nor profits. Therefore, to uphold and defend the truth, the pen and the principled journalist are twins that should always be together. Together in the battlefield of news reporting, feature writing, sending important messages, and so on. Together in searching and upholding the truth.
The Reporters Without Borders (PWB), a journalist's rights group in France, reported that since 1986, at least six hundred (600) journalists from different parts of the world were killed in the line of duty, most of whom while covering violent conflicts, such as Bosnia. That's how risky the journalism profession is. Here in the Philippines, the Philippine Movement for Press Freedom (PMPF) has recorded 50 journalists killed since the 1986 EDSA revolution. But they did not include in the list those mediapersons killed for reasons unrelated to their profession.
That's how risky our mighty pen is. Although there were many journalists killed in the battlefield worldwide, we will always adhere to our commitment in the noblest profession we know. Upholding the truth and press freedom is our covenant to the people. This is our pledge to the people's right to know. No amount of bullet can stop us in pursuing truth and social justice. Against all odds, we will never surrender. Over our dead body. Yes, our pen will always be mightier than the sword.
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