Today we celebrate World News Day, a reminder that truth is not just a principle—it is the soul of every democracy.

In our time, misinformation spreads like wildfire. Fake news is packaged neatly on social media, repeated in echo chambers, and defended even by those in power. Here in the Philippines, the danger is real: politicians entangled in corruption scandals twist narratives to clear their names, drowning out accountability with noise. Sa halip na magsabi ng totoo, mas inuuna pa ang pagpaputi ng imahe.

Think of the flood control projects now under investigation, or the billions of pesos in “insertions” hidden in the national budget. Instead of transparency, we hear denials, counter-accusations, and staged press conferences. The truth is muddled, leaving ordinary Filipinos confused and misled. Kung sino pa ang may kasalanan, sila pa ang malakas ang loob na magmukhang biktima.

That’s why World News Day matters. It honors the journalists—the watchdogs—who dig through documents, interview whistleblowers, and put their lives on the line just to give us the real story. They are not perfect, but without them, the truth would be buried under layers of political drama.

For every Filipino, this fight for truth hits close to home. Truth decides whether public funds are spent on classrooms or kickbacks, whether justice serves the people or only the powerful. It is about family survival, because every peso stolen is food, medicine, or education taken away from us.

Today, let’s remember: truth is our shield against corruption. Without it, we are defenseless. With it, we have the power to demand accountability and build a nation based on justice.

Do you believe truth can still rise above lies in our country?

Roy Bato is the Founding President of the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) CALABARZON Chapter and has been a dedicated broadcast journalist for 29 years. Through powerful storytelling and fearless journalism, he champions truth, transparency, and the voice of every Filipino.

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