The recent announcement that a youth-oriented debate show is coming back to the airwaves after years of hiatus has brought hope that today’s youth will be more aware and engaged in nation-building.
Although, to be honest, I’m not sure how “Y Speak” will be received in an era of social media, limited attention span, and a deluge of content that, to me, serve not to question to affirm – even enforce – personal biases and prejudices.
But reviving “Y Speak” is not just a simple “nostalgia-baiter” for those who yearn to go back to simpler times.
In fact, it’s high time we bring back those times when opinion was actually well-thought, well-analyzed and well-researched. Not some kind of word salad anyone hiding under the word “expert”, “influencer,” or “media personality” can hide under.
--o0o--
If you’re a ‘90s or early 2000’s kid, chances are you may be acquainted with these panel discussion shows that shaped public opinion and enable people from various sectors to air their thoughts.
Late-night discussion shows such as “Isyu” on Channel 13 or “Debate” on Channel 7 – despite their late timeslots, far from the “primetime” slots where people are sure to be glued to their TV screens after work or school – became popular as they not only engaged the “masa” but also provided a balanced, nuanced view of political, economic and social issues.
Totoo, may mga pagkakataon na nagiging mainitan ang pagdidiskusyon (I remember this one instance in “Debate” where former President Joseph Estrada himself called in the middle of the discussion to give his side on the issue), but the essential thing is that we all understood issues a little better, even though our views may remain unchanged.
The last serious debate show I encountered was “Duelo” on what was then Aksyon TV (Channel 41), at a time when social media hadn’t yet penetrated the consciousness of netizens.
But that would change a few years later as political manipulators saw a huge potential in Filipinos’ savvy for social media, not to mention the average netizen’s desperate need for 15 seconds of fame.
And unfortunately, it all went downhill from there.
Nuanced, decent (although at time, tense and high-spirited), open-minded discussion of public affairs degenerated into hurling ad hominems, insults, personal vendetta, and posts that incite hatred and bigotry.
Nawala na ang “civilized discussion” at napalitan na ng batuhan ng putik at bato sa social media.
In the process, lalo tayong hindi nagkaintindihan, lalo tayong hindi nagbigayan, lalong sumara ang isip natin sa mga ideya at konsepto na lumalabag sa sarili nating mga opinyon.
Ni hindi pa natin alam nang buo ang punto de vista ng kalaban, salungat agad. Parang sumabak tayo sa giyera na ni hindi natin alam ang kalaban natin – kaya ayun, kapag feeling dehado na, doon na gumagamit ng “dirty tactics” gaya ng pamimintas o harassment para manalo sa argumento.
Para sa akin, ang pinaka-objective ng debate ay maipaunawa sa kabilang panig ang iyong punto, sang-ayunan man niya iyon o hindi.
Hindi naman kasi dapat parang pa-kontest ang debate – sa akin, ang debate ay para mas magkaintindihan ang dalawang panig sa kani-kanilang mga punto de vista.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews