Friday, September 21, 2007
Tech changes challenge future journalists, dialogue suggests
A PAPERLESS society may be “very possible,” but newspapers are here to stay for at least another 25 years.
“People will never lose the love for the feel of every leaf of a newspaper or even a book,” said lawyer Pachico Seares, Sun.Star Cebu editor-in-chief.
Karen, a student at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College (UPVCC), asked whether a paperless society is possible.
“Yes it is possible, anything is possible, but I say that it is improbable,” Seares said.
Juan Mercado, a multi-awarded journalist and Sun.Star Cebu columnist, also joked he “won’t be around to see it, that’s for sure.”
The exchange was part of yesterday’s forum “Reaching out to future journalists” held at the UP campus in Lahug, as part of the weeklong celebration of press freedom.
In the forum, communication students from around Cebu interacted with Sun.Star Cebu journalists Isolde Amante, managing editor for news; Charmaine Rodriguez, assistant news editor; and staff reporter Rene Martel.
But when Amante asked who wanted to become journalists, barely 20 students raised their hands, or less than a quarter of the forum participants.
Amante talked about the essential qualities for journalists: honesty and curiosity, potential for growth and a keen sense of ethics.
Being able to help others “make better decisions” is one of the job’s rewards, said Amante.
Martel, for his part, gathered advice from veteran journalists and shared them with the aspiring journalists.
“Get to know math, no matter how much it hates you,” Martel said.
Rodriguez gave an insight on how editors work while Mercado provided a glimpse of a columnist’s mindset.
Before the forum, the UP Cebu Campus inaugurated its multimedia newsroom with Deputy House Speaker Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district) and UPVCC Dean Dr. Enrique Avila cutting the ribbon.
Del Mar offered P500,000 for the refurbishment of the old broadcast room and promised another half a million pesos for equipment.
The newsroom has a television studio, graphic design area, a television lab, a radio lab that consists of a recording room and a radio studio, and a conference room.
Ian Vincent Manticajon, a UP faculty member, joked that all they need now is a transmitter to be able to broadcast the news if Martial Law will be declared again. Thirty-five years ago today, Martial Law was declared. (JGA)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 21, 2007 issue)
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