First Countryside Press Congress coincides with FPPCP 50th anniversary

The 50^th Anniversary of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines, Inc. will be highlighted with the holding of the First Countryside Press Congress, where officers and members of the provincial press clubs will converge together with individual media institutions and practitioners, to discuss matters of utmost importance especially to the development of the provincial media, and the enhancement of its role in the country’s development.

This will be an opportunity for the provincial press to relate, dialogue, and interface with people representing the public relations and advertising industry, the government public-information and regulatory machinery, and other support sectors, in order to reach some common ground toward resolving  some of the significant issues and problems affecting the provincial press.

Lush greenery inside the ASU campus

The press congress will also provide an opportunity for the provincial media to make its stand known on such issues as security and peace and order, especially in the light of what happened in Zamboanga City lately, and that incident at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya which could happen anywhere. We can also talk about good governance and the campaign against graft and corruption, considering the  effects of the Napoles-pork barrel scandal not only on the government’s overall trust rating, but also on the integrity of Philippine media in general.

In this regard, one significant objective of the First Countryside Press Congress is to come out with an “Aklan Declaration,” meant to communicate the fact that the provincial press, while struggling with economic difficulties and now fierce competition from other forms of media, remains strong, steadfast, and trustworthy as a partner in nation-building.

About the 50^th Anniversary of the FPPCP, this will be a fitting occasion to trace the history of the organization and remember the trials and tribulations of the provincial press through the years. It is also the opportune time to recognize those individuals and groups who have contributed so much in giving the provincial press its solid foundation and institutional integrity as part of Philippine society.