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[av_heading heading=’ Bacolod councilor pushes for Press Freedom Day ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – What does the public think about declaring Press Freedom Day in this city every May 3? Councilor Wilson Gamboa Jr. wants to know.
Gamboa will hold a public hearing on his proposed ordinance making the declaration on Aug. 17 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod session hall at the Bacolod City Government Center.
While the city celebrates the World Radio Day every Feb. 3, the event is limited only to the broadcast media, said the councilor.
“Why not a celebration where all media, including the bloggers, come together in a single activity for fellowship and camaraderie?” he said.
Gamboa said he proposed the ordinance “in recognition, respect and support of the press and/or the media of this city.”
It is “an expression of unhampered and perpetual support to the independent members of the working press and/or the media.”
Under the measure, the city government’s Public Information Office shall “assist organizing and implementing social, sports and cultural activities” related to the observance, Gamboa said.
Moreover, he said city hall must “acknowledge independent media organizations or associations by accrediting them as people’s organizations worthy of any assistance and government intervention as allowed by law.”
The World Press Freedom Day, which the United Nations General Assembly declared in 1993, is celebrated yearly on May 3 in recognition of the fundamental human right to free expression and press freedom./PN
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