With reference to last month’s editorial entitled “A dirty game in politics,” I realized that writers face not only accolades but also a lot of disagreements and criticisms.
Over the past 14 years that I have been practicing journalism, I have always been very careful to report the truth. Reporting the truth involves quality investigative journalism and balanced reporting.
It is an established fact that an editor cannot aim to please everybody. That is an impossible task. There will always be some dissenting opinion. At times, it may even lead to loss of valuable clients. But that is part of the perilous art of report writing, most especially in the practice of writing an opinion piece.
An investigative reporter must make use of various tools — analysis of documents, databases of public records, interviews of eyewitnesses including whistleblowers who would usually demand anonymity.
On many occasions, the writer must obtain data and documents from government sources, invoking and making use of the Freedom of Information Act but also be careful not to violate the Privacy Act.
Through the years, the Philippine Tribune and Philippine Sentinel have earned popularity as the most sought-after Filipino news publication in Australia. That is because of no-holds-barred reporting of what people want to know.
Most topics and news items published are controversial in nature. Such articles can only be found in this news publication and are often avoided by other Filipino newspapers that are mostly dominated by socials, group pictures and harmless local events.
Undeniably, this writer has invited detractors and has created some enemies but that is inherent in the practice of investigative journalism.
Todate, I hold the reputation of being the first and probably the only Filipino writer in Australia who has been sued for defamation.
I will continue to embrace my own definition of journalism — The practice of seeking the truth, verifying the truth and publishing the truth, even if it hurts. I will soon be a septuagenarian. I am proud to have reached this far. I have nothing to fear and I fear no one, except God. — Dino Crescini