PH journalism community mourns passing of veteran journalist Luis Teodoro
Luis V. Teodoro, veteran journalist and former dean of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication (UP CMC), has passed away at 81 years old.
On Facebook, Sibyl Jade Peña confirmed her stepfather's passing on March 13 and added that details of the wake will be announced later.
Teodoro served as the UP CMC dean for two terms (1994 to 2000) after serving as chair of its Journalism Department. Aside from teaching classes like journalism ethics and interpretative writing at UP, he was also a professorial lecturer at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
The journalism figure was among the 2019 recipients of the Titus Brandsma Freedom of Press Award, a biennial recognition for outstanding media and communications practitioners given by the Order of Carmelites in the Philippines. He also served as a member of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility's (CMFR) Board of Trustees.
Teodoro previously conceptualized an umbrella organization for alternative media in the Philippines, a vision that came to life in October 2014 at the 1st National Conference of Alternative Media held at UP CMC. There, the Altermidya - People's Alternative Media Network was founded with him elected as its founding chairperson.
The late former dean has written at length about advocacy journalism, journalism education, reportage analysis, press freedom, the culture of impunity, the concepts of dominant and alternative media, as well as his informed perspectives on local and international issues. These have been published as articles across respected news outfits in the Philippines, as well as included in his books like Divide By Two and In Medias Res: Essays on the Philippine Press and Media.
Here are reactions from Filipino journalists and the Philippine media community in the wake of Teodoro's passing.
UP CMC
"Maraming salamat sa iyong paglingkod sa bayan. Mahal ka namin," UP CMC wrote. "As educator, editor, and journalist, Dean Teodoro was pivotal in fostering academic excellence in our discipline, upholding integrity in the practice of media, and defending our freedoms of the press, speech, and assembly."
The college said it will announce the details on its page for the service it will hold at the Plaridel Hall (UP CMC).
Altermidya
"A pillar of Philippine journalism, Dean Luis was the force behind the formation of Altermidya Network, which will carry on his work and principles.
He is credited with advancing the ideals of pro-people journalism both as a respected member of the academe and through the alternative media that he helped organize in the Philippines," the alternative media organization wrote.
It added that it will announce the details of his interment and tribute in the coming days.
Philippine press
Former ABS-CBN and Inquirer reporter Kristine Sabillo expressed her gratitude for having Teodoro as her professor.
"Rest in Power, Sir Luis Teodoro! May your legacy in the academe and CMFR be continued by the next generations of journalists you inspired and helped train (especially when it comes to ethics and morals). I will always be thankful that I had the chance to be your student," she wrote.
ABS-CBN reporter Jervis Manahan also paid tribute to his former professor in UP Maskom, saying: "We're ethical reporters because of his teachings. Rest in power, Dean Luis Teodoro!"
Former journalist Carlos H. Conde, meanwhile, called Teodoro a "human rights defender and Philippine press freedom icon."
"A generation of journalists will miss you dearly. The Philippine media landscape, which you have enriched with your insight — and outrage — will not be the same without you," he added.
Executive director of IBON Foundation Sonny Africa recalled the time his work was edited by "the venerable Luis Teodoro." "Been following and learning from Ninong LT since then. Except for the veggie-eating," he tweeted.