Truth seekers. Truth speakers. Truth defenders.
Lester Piad urges Filipino journalists to never stop defending the truth amid media attacks and killings.
He serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of The UI Star Publication, the official student publication of PHINMA University of Iloilo.
To get to know him better, Republicasia asked Lester a few questions about his journey as a student journalist fighting for press freedom in the country.
Behind the Persona
Tell me about yourself as a student journalist and your life outside of publication.
This academic year is my fourth year as a student journalist, my first year as one of the Editors-in-Chief of the UI Star Publication, and probably my last term. As a campus journalist, I always take the duty as a passion rather than just a responsibility and/or a burden to my academic performance; I always come off juggling, not only for the sake of finishing the tasks on both ends but with efficiency and competence. I am also a student activist standing up for the oppressed and marginalized people who, if not given enough opportunity to speak, are often not capable of speaking for themselves.
Defining Moment
Tell me about that ‘defining moment’ that made you pursue journalism and continue to do so.
Way back, I was just a poet filled with mediocrity. I love creative writing so much that I tried to find an abode that caters to people with the same interests as mine. But there, when I passed the screening and set foot in our campus publication, I met people who have a deeper purpose in pursuing the art of journalism. I was dragged to several student initiatives that collect both student leaders and student journalists, gather a collective voice, tackle pressing issues not just in our locality but across our entire sick nation, and formulate solutions for achievable results.
Generation Voice
What do you think is the most pressing issue that affects press freedom in the country nowadays? What do you think are the significant roles of young journalists in advancing genuine national press freedom?
The deprivation of our rights to practice press freedom, the killing, and violence toward journalists and activists. In our current era, where the administration that holds us to our necks is allergic to facts, people are manipulated, and all seems to be under a huge machinery formulated years ago to bring back the throne to the son of the dictator, the role of student journalists is to continue to fight for the truth. Go out of your room, reach people, and teach people.
Powerful Quote
Tell me about your mantra as a journalist. What message can you give to the aspiring journalist of the new generation?
“If not for the people, for whom?” Student journalists, in this battle, you are not alone. If you’re going to speak, shout. If you are to criticize, make it spicy. If you are to speak the truth, fight for it until you rot.
