Closing remarks of Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma Jr.

Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Philippines Secretary, ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information

Regional Media Conference 14 October 2011, Heritage Hotel, Pasay City ----------------------------------------------------------Chairman Richard Gordon of the Philippine National Red Cross Mr. Christoph Sutter, Deputy Head of Delegation, ICRC Participants and guests, ladies and gentlemen:

Good evening!

I wish to thank all the conveners and organizers of this regional media conference for your kind invitation. Mr. Tauxe told me in his letter: "Your encouragement will be highly appreciated by our participant editors and journalists."

What does it mean to encourage? According to the dictionary, To encourage is to give active help or to raise confidence to the point where one dares to do what is difficult

What then can I do to encourage you?

I would like to start by commending the resource persons who shared their first-hand experiences from the conflict areas in North Korea, Indonesia, Egypt and other parts of the world.

Those of you who have known what it is to be in the line of fire --- and to actually place your own lives and safety on the line --- most certainly know the meaning of the word courage.

To dare to do what is difficult --- as journalists, photographers, videographers and other media practitioners --- is not just an act of courage. It is heroic. You are all modern-day heroes in your daring to cover the violent conflict and difficult emergency or calamity situations.

As you broadcast vivid images and deliver detailed stories to audiences and readers worldwide, you create global awareness of reality as it unfolds across time zones, every minute of night and day. In fact, even before such images find their way to the TV screen or to the newspaper, news on violence and emergencies already find their way to millions of individual owners of mobile phones, tablets and laptops, through the viral power of social media networks.

As you create awareness, you also shape consciousness. Consciousness builds consensus. When people find common ground, they unite and take action. That's how the Berlin Wall toppled. That's how our own Edsa People Power Revolution triumphed. That's the story of the Arab Spring that continues to gain traction beyond what was thought of initially as a single season of discontent. As you conclude this path-finding conference, allow me to share with you three reflections.

First reflection: We must continue to assert and defend freedom of expression.

In the words of President Aquino: "Freedom of expression in particular, freedom of the press guarantees popular participation in the decisions and actions of government and popular participation is the essence of our democracy." Without freedom of expression, it is difficult to know and ascertain what is true and real. And, as the Good Book constantly remind us, it is the truth that shall set us free. The practice of your work and profession thrives in the light of truth and freedom, witness in the shadows of censorship and harassment and perishes in the gallows of brutal repression.

This leads me to my second reflection: For freedom of expression to flourish, we must exercise our freedom responsibly. In so doing, we establish credibility, create empathy and garner continuing support from the publics that we serve. I wish to commend you for including in your discussions the topics of self-regulation and ethical reporting. As professionals, media practitioners are expected to behave in a manner that is consistent with the values and norms of society.

This in turn leads us to my third reflection: We must honor the primacy of life and uphold the nobility of humanity. I was not here earlier, but I would like to believe that this thought is embodied in your topic on "Humanitarian reporting and humanitarian action." In the episodes of conflict, violence and calamities that are covered by journalists and media professionals, the main protagonists are human beings. And in the end, the main casualties are also human beings. I cannot help but recall the tragic end to the Luneta hostage taking crisis that took place just over a year ago not too far from where we are meeting tonight. I cannot help but recall how the actions of members of media organizations may have exacerbated what was already a volatile conflict situation. I cannot help but wish for an alternative scenario that could have been characterized by the exercise of greater restraint and self-control on the part of those covering the event.

We continue to grieve for those who died at the Luneta on the night of August 23, 2010 --- especially because we believe in the sanctity of human life, a principle that is so passionately promoted by the Red Cross.

In summary, my dear friends, perhaps we can all affirm and declare this: To be free, to be responsible and to be compassionate towards our fellow human beings --- that is the commitment that we all share.

Thank you and good evening.