ILOILO CITY — Journalists, media executives, legal practitioners, and members of the judiciary gathered Tuesday in Iloilo City to strengthen accountability, self-regulation, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the Philippine media industry through the PRESS FORWARD forum.
Carrying the theme “Elevating Accountability and Dispute Resolution and Mediation in Iloilo Media,” the one-day conference was held at the Amber Room of Sam’s 21 Hotel in Mandurriao, bringing together media practitioners and key stakeholders to promote ethical journalism and constructive engagement between the press and the justice sector.
The event was organized by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) in partnership with the Iloilo City Media-Citizen Council, International Media Support (IMS), PPI News Commons, the European Union, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida) and primarily gather the Visayas block of the media-citizen councils. Delegates from Aklan MCC, Region 8 MCC and Iloilo City MCC, with the latter as host. [The Press FORWARD Forum for the Mindanao block was held June 16 in Cagayan de Oro City.]
In his welcome remarks, Atty. Jeremy Bionat, executive director and legal counsel of the Iloilo City Media-Citizen Council, underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between the media and the public through accountability and responsible journalism.
Delivering the keynote address, Judge Jennie Ann T. Logronio, Regional Court Manager of Judicial Region VI, emphasized the vital role of dialogue, mediation, and mutual understanding in fostering public trust while protecting both press freedom and the rule of law.
Setting the tone for the discussions, Joyce Babe Pañares, PPI trustee and training director, highlighted the organization’s continuing efforts to promote ethical journalism, media accountability, and stronger Media-Citizen Councils across the country.
The morning plenary sessions focused on practical approaches to responsible journalism and voluntary self-regulation.
In the first session, “Elevating Public Accountability: The Shield and the Standard of Community Press,” Joenald Medina Rayos, PPI trustee and treasurer and chairman of the Batangas Media-Citizen Council, discussed how accountability serves as both the foundation of public trust and a protective mechanism for community newspapers amid the challenges facing today’s media landscape.
The second plenary session featured Francis Allan L. Angelo, PPI trustee and secretary and chairman of the Iloilo City Media-Citizen Council, who presented “Practical ADR Frameworks for Journalism.” His presentation examined how Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms can provide accessible, non-adversarial approaches to resolving complaints involving news organizations while strengthening public confidence in the media.
The conference concluded with an open forum that brought together journalists, members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders to discuss ways of institutionalizing dialogue and expanding mediation mechanisms for media-related disputes.
Organizers said the forum formed part of the Philippine Press Institute’s continuing Media-Citizen Council program, which promotes accountability, transparency, and community engagement through voluntary self-regulation rather than litigation.
They added that the initiative reflected the growing commitment of Philippine media organizations and their international partners to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold press freedom, and cultivate a culture of responsible journalism anchored on public trust and constructive dialogue.|
