Our responsibility

Ben Contreras

“IF you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do read it, you’re misinformed.

“What is the long term effect of too much information? One of the effects is the need to be first, not even to be true anymore. So what responsibility do you all have? Tell the truth. Not just to be first but to tell the truth!

“We live in a society now when it’s just first. Who cares, get it out there. We don’t care who it hurts. We don’t care who we destroy. We don’t care if it’s true. Just say it, sell it.”

These are the words of multi-awarded American actor Denzel Washington when interviewed by a lady reporter.

I love to read it over and over again if only to remind us, media practitioners, that our main responsibility is to bring the news as accurately as possible and to write/share one’s opinion truthfully and fairly.

Today, we see in mainstream and social media distorted stories and lies that only reveal which side of the fence one belongs. The passion to defend or destroy somehow makes people what they are not in ordinary times and circumstances. It unnecessarily creates rifts in relationships of families and friends.

The need to defend or destroy outside of one’s conviction is eroding one’s credibility and integrity which many are willing to undergo and take responsibility just to be able to say it. I feel sad about this.

One day, we’ll all have to come to a decision and choose whether we want to be uninformed or misinformed.

• •

It was my second Friday radio program in tandem with Ronnie Waniwan at Mellow Touch. This time, we invited Cagayan de Oro Campaigners for Road Courtesy and Discipline (CDO-CRCD) president Doy Ramiro to talk about traffic in the city.

Doy and several other members continue to be active and render voluntary services to the public. I have chosen to be inactive due to frustration and a weak pair of legs, although sometimes, I do traffic if the situation warrants.

Traffic woes are something we can all contribute to lighten and solve. It is not something left alone for the government or the authorities to solve. Every citizen has a responsibility.

There are laws and regulations that motorists violate deliberately or simply ignore. And when something happens, we readily put the blame on the government.

My experience in the streets taught us many lessons, one of which is courtesy, the humility to give way to others. Everyone seems to be in a hurry that they couldn’t give way to others to move or cross first. We need to assess the situation we’re in. If giving way to others would prevent a build-up of traffic, then in heaven’s name, give way.

Perhaps Doy has a richer experience than me. That is why I invited him to share his wisdom on traffic. Not that he has the answers, but his experience makes him qualified to talk about it.