Information as power

It is quite difficult to teach young students the importance of opinion writing as an integral part of journalism.

- Annie Perez

Many would think that the job simply involves news, a few features, some photographs, and maybe a sports section. Yet the heart of journalism also lies in the nitty-gritty. It is the in-depth analyses and commentaries that pave the way for a more informed citizenry. To their amusement, I often tell students that information is power. This was echoed in an interview I once had with an engineer from the Department of Information and Communications Technology. He told me, “Information is vital” especially during disaster response. To quickly gather, process, and relay accurate details can save lives. This is why I was alarmed when a few news stories surfaced about the lack of a designated Public Information Officer (PIO) at Cebu City Hall.