Here's the rub

Conrado de Quiros, arguably one of the Philippines' most influential columnists, is in town through the FCO for a conference on Islam and Media. (Incidentally GMA will be in London tomorrow.) FORWARD and the LSE Filipino Society, who put the forum together, did well to invite de Quiros. Hearing him speak to a small but very much engaged group on press freedom, among other issues, was a privilege for me.

He started off by making a disclaimer for the nature of media--essentially stories and images for fickle audiences, hence analyses tends not to be very deep. Diving into the topic of press freedom, he maintained that it exists despite killings of journalists in the provinces, where media is not held in high regard. This is because journalists can be corrupt and abusive:"their capability to invent things is epic".

Despite the freedom of the press, exposing people has not produced an effect, to the extent that public officials can be shameless about wrongdoings.

Other nuggets of wisdom from his talk:

• Whether news is good or bad is a matter of perception.
• We need reform in the news--higher reportorial standards, fewer columnists.
• "The great Filipino dream is also the great Filipino tragedy: to be an American citizen"

And some other subversive truths.

It's so easy for the elites and middle classes to slink into comfortable apathy. If you ever feel that indifference coming on, read his column. If people don't ask questions and voice out their opinions, there can be no democracy.