Public journalism advocate Red Batario, PETA receive Titus Brandsma awards

Press freedom advocate Red Batario, executive director of the Center for Community Journalism and Development, and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) received Titus Brandsma awards Wednesday for their work in mass communication.

A pioneer in promoting public journalism, which encourages close interaction between citizens and the media, Batario worked as a journalist for 30 years before starting his advocacy work with the community press. He is currently the representative for Asia of the International News Safety Institute, a group that fights the persecution of journalists worldwide.

Public journalism champion Red Batario receives Titus Brandsma Award for leadership in journalism Wednesday. Photo by Yasmin Arquiza

In accepting the award for leadership in journalism, Batario recalled his early days in journalism during the Martial Law regime, when he was working for a newspaper owned by a crony of the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who controlled the country's media.

"That episode in my career taught me to think more clearly and deeply about journalism as a transformative tool, and reporting not simply as a means of relaying information but as a way of connecting with people," Batario said.

Meanwhile, theater director Ernie Cloma and several artists accepted the trophy for leadership in communication and culture & arts on behalf of PETA, a 46-year old organization that is known for its militant and edgy plays on political issues.

The performing group fought the Martial Law regime of Marcos, and has since produced a more varied repertoire after his dictatorship was toppled in 1986.

"It roots its foundation in the use of theater that is distinctly Filipino as a tool for social change and development," according to the program description of PETA.

The prestigious, international award is named after Dutch priest and journalist Titus Brandsma, who opposed fascism and was killed during World War II after refusing to print Nazi publications. He is known as the "Martyr of Press Freedom."

In the Philippines, the Titus Brandsma Media Center run by the Order of Carmelites hands out the biennial awards, now on its sixth edition.

Previous awardees include newspaper columnist Conrado de Quiros, Mindanao journalist Carol Arguillas, Howie Severino and Kara David from GMA Network, and slain reporters Marlene Esperat and Edgar Damalerio.

Prof. Florangel Rosario-Braid, chair of Titus Brandsma Award Philippines, said this year's recipients were "chosen for their impact on society today." She praised the awardees for promoting freedom of information, the protection of journalists, and social justice. — DVM, GMA News