Published in its print edition on June 14 – 20, 2025
The digital landscape is fast moving into a trend. The once-prevalent newspapering industry calls for embracing the digital platform as a partner in the mass media.
The move of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the national association of newspapers since 1964, to prime up the development of digital platforms would strengthen the community papers at bastion of truth, change, progress, and freedom.
The PPI’s 61st year is being celebrated with various events. At Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood City, a three-day pre-event on the Media-Citizen Councils with the International Media Support (IMS) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will set the stage for the second learning exchange forum on alternative dispute resolution and media self-regulation as mechanism for accountability and safeguard against attacks on journalists. Eleven local press councils nationwide have been established.
PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino has this to say: “The PPI as a formidable organization and the www.ppinewscommons.net as a groundbreaking news-aggregating website — feed each other, it has to, to keep each other alive,” says. The Media-Citizen Councils are the heart and conscience of the symbiotic relationship between the media and the community they serve, he adds.
For PPI chairman-president Rolando Estabillo, he sees community newspapers as “the lifeblood of the organization.”
Furthermore, the PPI will also be initiating the 29th National Press Forum and General Membership Meeting as its members nationwide convene to recognize journalistic excellence via the 2024 Community Press Awards, the longest-running awards program for community newspapers. It includes a category for best regional websites.
As a non-stock, non-profit private media organization duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the PPI will continue to defend press freedom and promote journalistic ethical standards.#
