WHAT you have in your hand is the first issue of SunStar Cagayan de Oro with me as the new editor in chief. As a neophyte in this cutthroat print media, you can expect a bolder paper that can spice up your day and hopefully empower you in whatever endeavor you are in.
We will continue to serve you with your favorite sections of this paper but we will also be introducing new and interesting columns in the coming days.
Our team has five mantras which you can expect to feel and see in every page of our paper. First is that our main obligation is to tell the truth. Let this be our renewal of our commitment to tell you the truth and nothing but the truth regardless of how painful and how inconvenient it may be to anyone concern. Yes, we will be unflinching. This new appetite for a no holds-barred is borne out of a first-hand experience of how ugly truths get swept under the rug or get sugarcoated to protect certain vested interests at the cost of the welfare of the greater majority.
Second is that our only loyalty is to the citizens. We are putting it unto our shoulders the call to empower our readers with the information we provide on a daily basis. We are in no way serving any specific vested interest of an individual or a party be it political or private.
Third is that we will highly adhere in the ethics of verifying things before it gets printed and digitized. In these times where fake news spread faster and deeper than the truth, we shall be providing verified facts and accounts as it is again our obligation to only tell the truth.
Fourth is that we will remain independent to those we cover. We can never over stress the importance of our journalistic independence to our stakeholders in fulfilling our duty in strengthening our community.
Lastly, we will be committed to work as independent monitor of power. We will present to you issues and events with courage and fairness especially those that look to shape progress and development of our beloved Cagayan de Oro and to our neighboring cities and municipalities.
We will be bold, fearless and independent. So sit back, relax, and enjoying reading.