Reporting, fighting impunity

What is the state of research on journalism and culture of impunity in the Philippines?

Sample

If there is a lesson that can be drawn from my ongoing research, it is that impunity is everywhere. However, I find it surprising that it is not currently the focus of journalism studies worldwide. A draft chapter of my dissertation already has more than 100 references on journalism and impunity and I expect this number to grow as I work on the other chapters, but there are still very few academic and journalistic works worldwide that provide in-depth analyses of the impact of the culture of impunity on journalism practice.

Main Findings

The journalists’ political commitment should therefore go beyond the media sector as the culture of impunity affects everyone whose human rights continue to be violated. Given the current state of affairs, reporting impunity should be done while joining the fight to end it.

Policy recommendations/implications

Without preempting the conclusion of my ongoing research, it remains clear that the local and global campaigns should continue, mindful that the culture of resistance must win over the culture of impunity. Journalists should not be neutral observers but be willing participants in the collective struggle to promote and uphold human rights and the people’s basic freedoms.