I write this post with both tears and tremendous pride. Just 219 kilometres from the site of history’s deadliest attack on journalists, a little boy named after me has just been recognized for placing with honours in his city’s Grade 2 Special Program in Journalism. On Nov. 23, 2009 at least 34 journalists and 24 others were mass-murdered in a politically motivated attack. (Google ‘Maguindanao massacre’ to learn more.) I’m unspeakably proud of a courageous community that recognizes local journalism as an honourable calling at a time when journalists are being defamed worldwide as enemies of the people. And I’m proud that a young man of my acquaintance is showing early signs of excelling in truthful telling of his community’s stories. May God protect him should he and his classmates follow me into this work.
#localnewsmatters