CNMI veteran journalists recognized for pioneering work

The Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council presented CNMI veteran journalists John S. DelRosario Jr. and his late brother, Frank S. Rosario, with plaques of recognition Thursday last week at the Memorial Kiosku in Chalan Kanoa, in recognition of their pioneering effort as among the first homegrown journalists in the CNMI.

Writing for over 40 years now, John S. DelRosario Jr. said his impetus as a journalist was to ensure an “informed citizenry” through “conscious fairness” against a fabricated “culture of submission.”

He said the Kiosku, where the presentation was made, was apt and fitting, as it was where it all started, where the foundation of the local government was created.

“This is where it all started, when the first mayoral election was made, this is where it happened in the early ’60s, when the Chamorros and Carolinians were fighting due to racism,” said DelRosario, who is also a columnist for Saipan Tribune.

DelRosario noted that he and his brother decided to break away from what he described as a “fabricated culture” back then, of not talking about anyone or anything and keeping opinions to themselves.

“My mother was pissed at us for voicing our opinions [but] that is not culture. Our ancestors were afraid to talk from fear of being killed by the Spanish, so this ‘fabricated culture’ was actually forced upon us,” he said.

By following the path of journalism, DelRosario said this enabled him and his brother to tell the story of the CNMI from the inside out.

“You have to speak your mind, I have always been bold. I am not going to please anybody, I will say my piece and if you disagree, say so. Not that I want to criticize but I want to know where they are coming from and the basis of their disagreement.”

DelRosario encourages the younger generation to pursue journalism or writing and express their views and hopefully turn into a columnist that voices out what is important.

John and Frank attended the U.S Department of Defense School of Journalism from 1974 to 1976 in Indianapolis.

At the height of Frank’s career as a journalist, he covered major events for Pacific Daily News on the Micronesian Constitutional Convention, Political Status Commission negotiations, Marianas Political Status Commission negotiations, the 1984 eruption of Mt. Pagan, and also served as the press secretary for former governors Pete P. Tenorio and Lorenzo I. Guerrero.

John’s career as a journalist covered the progress and controversy during the Trust Territory period and the life, progress, and evolution of the CNMI from the Naval Administration, the Trust Territory government changing into a constitutional government in political union with the U.S in the mid-’70s. He is also a former secretary of the Department of Public Lands and a former publisher for Saipan Tribune.

“People need to be more open and say their piece. Because it is through this discussion we all can learn and set what is right. I myself cannot carry this on my shoulders all alone. When I am gone, I hope someone will be there to pick up the pieces as a regular columnist,” DelRosario said.