Cover Lydia and Emilia, part of the ‘Malaya Lolas’ group, laugh and hug during a portrait session in Pampanga, Philippines. The group of survivors of mass rape all live near each other in the area where they were kept captive (Photo: Hannah Reyes Morales)
Lydia and Emilia, part of the ‘Malaya Lolas’ group, laugh and hug during a portrait session in Pampanga, Philippines. The group of survivors of mass rape all live near each other in the area where they were kept captive (Photo: Hannah Reyes Morales)
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In a world where information is power, the role of a free and independent press cannot be overestimated as shown by these journalists
The United Nations General Assembly has declared May 3 World Press Freedom Day, to honour the right to express as a cornerstone of democracy and the role of journalists in upholding the truth, transparency and accountability in the face of adversity.
This year, the UN noted that the day serves as a reminder to governments of the importance of respecting their commitment to press freedom. “A free press is not a choice but a necessity,” says UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “So I call on governments, the private sector and civil society to join us in reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding press freedom and the rights of journalists and media professionals around the world.”
Across Asia, journalists, photographers and media professionals have taken up the challenge to stand by press freedom and journalistic integrity in uncovering the truth about the most pressing problems in society. Through the platforms they represent or personally run, many have brought our attention to issues such as human rights violations, the plight of the urban poor, gender-based violence, migrant struggles and the deterioration of the marine environment.
Here are six of them from the Tatler Gen.T community, who have taken on the responsibility to deliver the raw reality and give voice to the voiceless.
Ezra Acayan
Photographer, Getty Philippines
Ezra Acayan’s camera serves as a powerful tool for bearing witness to social injustices and human rights abuses in the Philippines. From documenting the plight of urban poor communities to capturing the aftermath of natural disasters, Acayan’s photographs speak volumes about Filipino resilience amidst adversity. The Manila-based documentary photographer is also known for highlighting the suffering brought on by the Philippine government’s war on drugs. This has gained him the most recognition, including a special merit at the Human Rights Press Awards.
In 2022, his picture titled A Failed Response for Getty Images was honoured in the Covid Picture Story category at the Pictures of the Year Asia, among two other awards. He was also nominated as a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
Read more: Photojournalist Ezra Acayan on his journey to becoming a Pulitzer prize finalist
Jamela Alindogan
Correspondent, Al Jazeera
Despite being on the receiving end of death threats, Jamela Alindogan has fearlessly reported conflicts in the Philippines and many parts of Southeast Asia for over a decade. She has also covered ethno-religious violence in Nigeria and the aftermath of natural disasters such as the Sulawesi earthquake.
Alindogan’s dedication to journalism led her to start the Sinagtala Centre for Women and Children in Conflict. It focuses on providing aid to war survivors in the Philippine island group of Mindanao. Recognised for her courageous reporting, she has received accolades from the Swedish Foreign Ministry, UNESCO and the Ten Outstanding Young Filipinos Award for International Journalism.
Sirachai Arunrugstichai
Photojournalist
Formally trained as a marine biologist, Sirachai Arunrugstichai turned to photojournalism to document and publicise the deterioration of the marine environment he was witnessing. Throughout his career, he has captured pictures focusing on how people interact with the environment and how to preserve marine resources.
Works of the Bangkok-based photographer can be found in several organisations including National Geographic, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, WildAid, Greenpeace, Oxfam and the Thai government’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources.
Read more: 5 award-winning photographers discuss the power of photography to evoke global change
Mohd Samsul Said
Freelance photojournalist
Mohd Samsul Said is an award-winning photojournalist with nearly two decades of experience in the field. During that period, he has covered a variety of stories, including business and politics in Malaysia, humanitarian crises, and the sufferings of marginalised groups such as refugees and the impoverished.
He is known for his work on the Rohingya crisis, which he described as time-consuming and difficult due to material shortages and lack of stable media coverage. This earned him the first prize in the Current Affairs and News category at the Southeast Asia Sony World Photography Awards in 2018, making him the first Malaysian to receive the award.
Hannah Reyes Morales
Photojournalist
Filipina photojournalist Hannah Reyes Morales has received accolades for her works that capture kindness in the face of suffering and perseverance that governs everyday existence. She has reported on forced marriages in Cambodia, documented women’s experiences with assault in South Sudan, the toll of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and the “long-term effects of the colonisation of women’s bodies in the Philippines”.
Her work can be found in National Geographic, The New York Times and The Washington Post, among others. For her dedication to amplifying stories, Morales was recognised at the 2020 International Center of Photography, where she received an Infinity Award for Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism.
Read more: Hannah Reyes-Morales bags regional win at 2023 World Press Photo Contest
Ian Yee
Investigative journalist, founder and editor, The Fourth
An award-winning journalist, Ian Yee is known for spearheading the Peabody-nominated impact and investigative journalism team at The Star newspaper’s youth section, R.age. The platform is acclaimed for its documentaries about social justice and human rights. Yee has contributed to shifting the publication’s emphasis towards investigative journalism by writing about topics that appeal to young Malaysians, such as sex education, student rights, social issues and politics.
Read more: Ian Yee is using journalism to enact social change in Malaysia
He also co-founded The Fourth with the R.age team to tackle social injustice through documentaries and public-action campaigns and promote “fearless, independent and impact-driven investigative journalism” through documentaries, opinions and web series. The independent platform has produced videos on migrants, refugees, human trafficking and autism.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
