EDGEDAVAO Raising the bar of media excellence VOL.5 ISSUE 38 • APRIL 27-28, 2012
FOCUS ON MEDIA EXCELLENCE
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Davao journalists S2
By Antonio M. Ajero
HE recently-concluded 16th National Press Forum on “Media Accountability and the Public Engagement” and the staging of the 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards by the 48-year-old Philippine Press Institute in partnership with the Coca-Cola Export Corporation in Manila, April 23-25, 2012 were impressive. The twin events showcased the strides taken by the community press during its close to five decades of shepherding by the PPI and a string of institutional and corporate sponsors, though rudely interrupted briefly by Martial Law. Weightiest topics The 16th National Forum, with the theme “PPI: Legacy of a Free Press,” tackled some of the weightiest issues confronting today’s media in the Philippines and elsewhere in the world, with
the country’s most outstanding journalists and communicators, authors and academicians. The theme was discussed in separate speeches by PPI Vice Chair Vergel Santos and the late Philippine Daily Inquirer Isagani Yambot, whose piece was read by PDI President Alexandra “Sandy” Prieto-Romualdez. The topic speakers included: -Ms Malou C. Mangahas, executive director of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on “Asian Barometer: The Philippine Study;” --Ms Luchi Cruz-Valdez, head of TV5 news and information division on “Engaging the Public to Protect Press Freedom and Preserve Democracy;” --Dean Luis V. Teodoro, deputy director of the Center
WINNERS. (L-R) Tony Ajero of Edge Davao, Estella Estremera of Sun.Star-Davao, Michelle So and Cherry Ann Lim of Sun.Star-Cebu, Eva Tan of Mindanao Cross, of Media Freedom Responsibility (CMFR), on “SelfRegulation and Policing Our Ranks;” --Ms Rowena C. Paraan,
Best in Business and Economic Reporting ‘This community newspaper is an exceptional model of the essence of civic journalism.’ 2011 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards Philippine Press Institute in partnership with The Coca-Cola Export Corporation Philippines Division April 24, 2012 Traders Hotel Manila
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secretary-general of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), on “Safety and Welfare of Journalists;” --Walter B. Panganiban, director for media affairs of The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, on “Our Press, Our Responsibility;” --Angel Timoteo “Tim” Diaz de Rivera, president of Collaborative ICT Services Division of Information Capital Technology Ventures, Inc. (ICTV), on “Shifting Gears, New Mechanisms to Strengthen Community Journalism;” --Atty. Harry L. Roque, UP Center for International Law and Director of the Institute of International Legal Studies and Law Center, on “Decriminalizing Libel;” --Dr. Walter Salzer, director and principal advisor, GIZ-German Development Cooperation, on “Reporting on Environment and Its Many Dimensions;” --Rolando A. Inciong, communication and public affairs head of the Asian Centre for Biodiversity, on “ Reporting Biodiversity;” --Atty. Tricia Clare Oco, executive director of the Juvenile Justice Welfare Council, on “Reporting Juvenile Justice;” and --Wo Rosete, head for external relations of Smart Communications, on “Reporting Culture and Arts.” The speakers were assisted in the discussions by other media greats. Many “firsts” It was the first time in decades that a Philippine President graced the opening
Jane Cadalig of Baguio Midland Courier, Rea IsidroDe Fiesta of Sun.Star-Pampanga, and Dino Balabo of Mabuhay, a weekly newspaper based in Bulacan. of PPI’s traditional gathering. President BenignoAquino went to town criticizing media for unfairness and lack of balanced reporting. It was the first time the entire proceedings of the gathering was on live streaming on ppinpf.nowplanet.tv seen on the PC and mobile devices such as iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile. New media contests Among the happy highlights of the annual media powwow were commitments to support journalism contests, all designed to raise the bar of excellence in community media in reportage. The categories are: 1. Best in online reporting sponsored by the ICTV; 2. Best in health and wellness reporting, sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital; 3. Best in biodiversity reporting by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity; and 4. Best in culture and the arts reporting by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. These are in addition to the five contests already established by the PPI in partnership with the Konrad Adenaur Stiftung (KAS) Foundation before and TCCEP now. They are best in photojournalism, science and environmental reporting, business and economic reporting, editorial page, and best edited on both weekly and daily categories. The modest strides notched by community papers is evident in the much improved copies that they displayed during the annual gathering. The exhibits on
culture and the arts articles and photos were likewise impressive. Many community papers have already risen to the next level, that of online publishing. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the PPI constitution have already waived the requirement for members to have a publication. Even without hard copy, online news agencies can now become members of the PPI. Executive director On top of PPI’s good fortunes these days is a young executive director who graduated from Ateneo de Davao University with a degree of mass communication, with trainings in various special journalism subjects here and abroad. He is Ariel Sebellino. The winners Of the 12 community press awards given away by PPI and TCCEP last April 24, five went to Mindanao publications, another five were won by newspapers in Luzon, and the last two by publications in Cebu, which used to dominate the awards in the past. Edge Davao, which participated in the contest for the second year, was proclaimed Best in Business and Economic Reporting in the weekly category, the same award it got last year along with Best in Science and Environmental Reporting. SunStar Davao ran away with three – (daily category)- Best in Business and Economic Reporting; Best in Photojournalism; and Best Editorial Page. A first-timer, The Mindanao Cross weekly romped away with Best Editorial Page.