DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday highlighted the responsible use of the digital platform in communicating truth as he urged communications and information officers to write and tell stories of the people.
This was the gist of the President’s speech read by Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar during the second day of the National Information Convention at SMX Convention Center in Davao City.
Though recognizing the different modes of communicating and advocating government programs and policies based on speed and sophistication, Duterte raised questions about the outcomes of using digital media.
“What do we get out of the contents on the Internet? Are they fact-based on good reasoning? Do they have the capacity to affect our thinking correctly? Is there some relevance to the way we can, individually and collectively, improve our lives, restore a sense of compassion and concern, do justice where it is rightfully due, and, most importantly, safeguard the future?” the President’s message read.
Duterte said the questions can be answered during the convention.
The President also underscored the importance of sharing the truth through various platforms.
He also highlighted the power of words of change as a radical transformation in eradicating destructive elements such as his war on drugs, criminality, corruption, and terrorism.
“The battle zones surround all of us; and, as the communication and information officers of the government, you are bound to fight these wars as a matter of duty and for the honor of being the public servants of our people,” he said.
He stressed that words are most effective instruments one can use in confronting a fractured world.
“There are truths and certainties we must speak of in order to elicit respect for the law, the honor for authority, a sense of discipline, decency and pride in being a Filipino who is capable of defending our community when it is under siege,” he added.
“As information officers, therefore, your words should approximate these truths,” he said.
He further urged communications and information officers to leave ugly stories of those who scatter hatred, anger, divisiveness, with the cruelty of their lies and the wounds they cause with their poisoned pens.
“We must gather the goodness that is inherent in our hearts, and turn this into the advancement of understanding, harmony, unity and peace,” he said.
He said the essence of communication is truth-telling in their reports.
“The bonds that unite us together, are the stories we must tell our people; and, in the re-telling of our stories, in the re-creation of our communication, our world is re-created,” Duterte stressed.
Duterte expressed hope that NIC would strengthen government communications and information officers to be the perfect professionals. (Lilian Mellejor/PNA)
