EDITORIAL - Consider reviving Sugbo TV

Reinstituting Sugbo TV might be one of the best things the present dispensation at the Capitol should consider doing. Some time has passed since the political passions led to its closure. Maybe it is time to revisit the idea of reviving one of the best programs the past administration had during its time.

Sugbo TV was a very informative and educational project of the previous administration. Even Cebuanos themselves can pick up a lot of information and knowledge about their own province that they never knew about from the traditional sources.

Using the power of television, not even schools can measure up to what the various programs of Sugbo TV was able to do for both Cebuanos and outsiders. It was therefore one of the greatest tragedies of modern times that Sugbo TV was closed when new political kingpins took over Capitol.

Shutting down Sugbo TV was not unlike the great pogroms and book-burnings of old. And the saddest cut of all was that this was done for no other reason than that it was a project that drew praises for hated political enemies.

Politicians come and go. But the value of promoting Cebu by way of educating people about the province's various cultures, traditions, historical significances and other interesting tidbits are lasting and should have been continued and not unceremoniously cut.

True, during its lifetime, Sugbo TV also featured extensively the programs of the provincial government during the time of governor Gwen Garcia. But what is wrong with that? There is nothing wrong with that if what is projected is true and verifiable. It only becomes wrong if the tv station airs lies.

If the new dispensation under Governor Junjun Davide wants to also promote its own programs using tv as the medium, then by all means it has the right to do so. Indeed, Davide should be encouraged to do as Garcia did, so that the Cebuanos will know what their provincial government is doing.

In other words, seeking Davide on tv, just as seeing Garcia in her time, is the price anyone has to pay in order to be treated to one of the most informative and knowledge-rich programmings on local tv, then so be it. It is a small price to pay for the chance to connect to one's home province, if only by remote control.