Such is the case with the PSA Forum of the Philippine Sportswriters Association which tackles any issue about sports. The Ugnayan sa Hotel Rembrandt, which is organized by the Philippine Information Agency, is usually a venue for government agencies or departments to announce or praise their projects or programs. Kapihan sa Cypress, as an alternative media forum, usually projects the problems or presents the political views of urban poor, farmers, workers and other militant groups. There is certainly no problem with each forum tending to be rightist, centrist or leftist because anything that has a legitimate concern deserves to be heard. Some media forums have also cultivated a following of journalists.
Young journalists frequent some, while older journalists are seen only in others.
What is certain is that these forums will be around for some time as barometers of press freedom and as efforts to keep the free market of ideas thriving. Barring a sudden reversal of the press freedom situation in the Philippines, it is likely that there will be more such forums in the future, as more and more groups with their own interests in certain issues to propagate try to get the attention of media. Photo by Lito Ocampo. All rights reserved.