Google defines silver as a soft, lustrous, white grayish metal valued for its beauty and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. The association of silver with 25 years dates back to tradition during Europe’s medieval age when such years of a relationship were celebrated to demonstrate strength, endurance, and long lasting togetherness rooted in silver’s preciousness, durability, and luster reflecting the qualities of a bond that has stood the test of time.

Today we celebrate DAILY TRIBUNE’s silver jubilee. The last 25 challenging years saw DAILY TRIBUNE navigate both bumpy roads and smooth seas, adhering to its mantra, “Without fear; without favor.” Indeed, a mantra like that creates animosity, even hate in a very politically polarized society as it delivers to its readers what hurts most — the truth. Sometimes, it loses advertising support, yet it survives — for the truth is always on its side.

The current challenge to DT is the proliferation of what many tag as fake news or more often the discernment of what constitutes opinion from what is disinformation or misinformation. While congressional investigations in aid of legislation concerning fake news was a good start to address the challenge, so much time was spent on personal attacks some officials suffered on social media.

These attacks, however, have remedies in existing slander, libel and cyber libel laws where those offended may at any time exercise their rights under the law. Perhaps, more focus should be placed on defining what indeed is fake news, how to handle deep fakes, and how to stay away from opinions or reactions on social media. Counter-opinions and reactions may be resorted to. Several platforms are readily available and it is a fact that many do have their private trolls. The lack of a clear definition of fake news and how it is overused to refute unpalatable reports merely obfuscate many reports.

It is in this light that I salute the dynamic duo of Willie and Chingbee Fernandez for inspiring the staff to practice honesty and impartiality in their reports. Believing that the best way to counter fake news is to inundate mainstream media with verified and accurately sourced information, DAILY TRIBUNE is doing its share to deliver the real news, without fear or favor. While print media when compared to digital platforms suffers from the slower delivery of the news, the Fernandezes innovated, complementing their broadsheet by entering the realm of digital space.

Today, DAILY TRIBUNE has withstood the test of time and is looking forward to its golden age as evidenced by its presence in the Internet of Things. This paper has definitely set itself up to be the bar by which the industry operates. Moreover, it has set up its own platform with millions of subscribers, delivering accurate and factual news — a testament to its luster, durability, endurance and beauty — like silver.