I recently saw a discussion where someone mentioned how the Philippines’s level of press freedom lets our media freely report on whatever they want. As a side effect, a lot of the negative news can easily make their way abroad and give foreigners lasting impressions on the country. There is also the appearance that PH is singled-out on many issues, as if we’re the only country with these problems.

Foreign media can come and report on topics like teenage pregnancy or child prostitution, and they can’t do that in some of the neighboring countries with lesser press freedom.

There are similarities on the Florida Man phenomenon when it comes to that, partially because of its relatively open FOI laws… or at least in the past.

With that in mind, to me, it explains why a lot of countries do not like freedom of the press—they fear, not without reason, na yung news coverage sa kanila would border on the slanderous. On the flip side (heh), parang chad wojak yung dating sa Pilipinas kasi they’re adamant on the press freedom despite all the slander.

Big con lang sa press freedom and yung focus sa Pilipinas sa issues na mukhang tayo lang ang may mga ganung problema (as mentioned in the earlier paragraphs). Ayun, nafufuel yung self-hate. I was once a card-carrying self-loathing Filipino who uncritically believed whatever bad news I see. It took me spending a few years outside of the country to change my perspective. The overseas experience phenomenon is a thing sa Australia. Malaking tulong sa mga Pilipino yan (bukod sa pagiging OFW) para maground sa realidad yung tingin ng mga tao sa Pilipinas. Madaming problema sa Pilipinas, pero hindi tayo nag-iisa sa ganun. There’s a way to improve things.

A lot of the self-hate and despair is because of that apparent helplessness and futility. Nagiging echo chamber kasi puro local “familiarity breeds contempt” perspectives lang ang available eh, to add to the rose-colored glasses view towards almost any foreign country.

Thoughts?