Truth on Paper: The Philippine STAR's Fight for Credibility

THE R39ENERATE CAMPAIGN AND THE ENDURING POWER OF PRINT JOURNALISM

- By Katherine L. Magsanoc

"A good newspaper is a nation talking to itself."

In a world dominated by fleeting digital content, is there still a place for the enduring power of print journalism? The Philippine STAR's R39ENERATE campaign suggests a resounding "yes," arguing that the tangible truth found on paper remains vital in a sea of misinformation.

We sit with The STAR's Executive Vice President Lucien Dy-Tioco about our 39th anniversary campaign, celebrating not just our longevity but also actively championing the resurgence of print media in the digital age.

Dy-Tioco explains this initiative as "a movement to appreciate print—the strength of print and what it serves. What it serves in a society and how it serves with a purpose."

He emphasizes the critical role print plays in maintaining credibility and trust in a world increasingly saturated with misinformation.

"What is in danger if print dies is that the credibility of news sources can also die," Dy-Tioco warns.

ENGAGING YOUNGER GENERATIONS: A FRESH APPROACH TO PRINT

The campaign directly targets younger generations, particularly Gen Z, aiming to introduce them to the unique value proposition of print journalism.

"It's an attempt to introduce the medium to Gen Z," Dy-Tioco explains, highlighting initiatives like the Readiscover program, which brought children to the STAR office for a firsthand experience with newspapers. Many of these children, he notes, encountered a broadsheet for the first time.