Among the BBC’s leading journalists, Jonny Dymond recently came to the Philippines for one of the British broadcaster’s flagship programs, World Questions, and spoke to Howie Severino about what makes the Philippines interesting to outsiders. He also talks about his coverage of the British royal family (“a surprisingly hard job”) and Russian President Putin (“His mission is about Russia, not communism”).

Dymond explains how the BBC has been able to stand up to the British government despite being funded by taxpayers.

In the face of various threats to journalists around the world, he urges media colleagues to keep believing in their mission. “If you don’t have people who are prepared to call out the government, who are prepared to report on the government’s successes and failures, then it’s impossible to say that you really have a functioning democracy,” Dymond asserts.

“It’s easy to be cynical, but coming to the Philippines where I know journalists have been under so much pressure, it kind of straightens my back. It makes me believe again in what we do.”


BBC’s World Questions in Manila moderated by Jonny Dymond airs in the Philippines on BBC Radio on March 9 at 8 P.M.


The panelists on the show:

Atty. Antonio Carpio – Former associate justice of the Supreme Court

Dr. Roberto Galang, Dean of the Ateneo de Manila University Gokongwei School of Management

Ms. Rafaela David – President of the Akbayan Citizens' Action Party

Professor Richard Heydarian – Columnist and senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines