Julian Assange, now free, rekindles the debate on journalism and free speech, and inevitably, human rights.
Maria Ressa once claimed that his arrest had no bearing on journalism, insisting WikiLeaks isn’t journalism. But isn’t journalism, like WikiLeaks, rooted in free speech? Perhaps Ressa and her oft-scrutinized Rappler hold the monopoly on truth and political impact. One might expect a Nobel Laureate like Ressa to champion not only truth and information but also human rights. Yet, her dismissal of Assange’s plight raises eyebrows. The irony is rich: a laureate of free speech seemingly indifferent to a man persecuted for it.
Many argue Assange was more deserving of the Nobel, and it’s hard to disagree. This twist in the tale leaves us pondering if the guardians of truth sometimes gatekeep it too.
In the grand theater of global politics, the line between championing truth and curating it remains ever so blurred.
Why should Philippine Congress waste its time on trivial matters like the PDEA leaks or the citizenship of a Tarlac mayor when there’s real international intrigue afoot?
Instead of these futile hearings, Congress should turn its attention to the recent revelation about the Trump-era Pentagon’s clandestine operation to spread anti-vaccine sentiments in the Philippines.
According to credible sources, a secretive campaign aimed to harm Chinese interests has specifically focused on the Philippines. Could this have cost thousands of Filipino lives during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Now, wouldn’t it be more productive to investigate what could be considered a crime against humanity?
Perhaps Congress should put aside its local squabbles and address issues with actual global impact. After all, determining the real damage caused by this operation might actually save lives in the future. So, Congress, how about focusing on something that really matters for a change?
In the convoluted realm of Rigoberto Tiglao’s Manila Times columns, discerning truth from fiction is akin to untangling a spaghetti plate with chopsticks.
Now, the maestro of muddled narratives has decided to dabble in satire, an art form as foreign to him as fact-checking.
Reacting to a Twitter post from self-proclaimed Maisug professor Anna Malindog-Uy, Tiglao bravely announced a $1 billion defense aid package to the Philippines from visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. One might applaud the creativity, but alas, the attempt falls flatter than a pancake on a non-stick pan.
While satire requires a delicate balance of wit and plausibility, Tiglao’s effort crashes spectacularly. We at Adobo Chronicles must award Tiglao an “F” for his valiant yet futile attempt at humor. Stick to your day job, Mr. Tiglao—whatever that may be—because satire clearly isn’t your forte.
The Adobo Chronicles 
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