Monday, September 08, 2008 Editorials: Getting the groove
CARMEL Loise M. Matus used a class requirement to explore an issue she cared about. The junior Mass Communication student of St. Theresa’s College rated her interest and skills in writing as much improved since she helped out with the school publication and worked for four months with an online magazine.
After hearing talks by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Institute of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Carmel was “excited and curious” to use civic journalism techniques to carry out a class assignment.
After observing how Cebuanos treated wandering Badjao children banging at their homemade drums, the Theresian visited a Moro community in Puntod, Alaska, Mambaling. She had to make several visits, with some story angles fizzling out after potential sources backed out of interviews.
Aside from resilience, Carmel had persistence. She finally wrote and rewrote a news feature according to the suggestions of her peers and instructor. After e-mailing to Sun.Star Cebu editors, Carmel received managing editor for news Isolde D. Amante’s suggestions to improve her copy. She went back to the field, gathered additional data and rewrote again.
Dreams of community
Last Aug. 31, Sun.Star published in its main news section Carmel’s first attempt in civic journalism. “In Side B, children dream of degrees” peeks at the life of “Angel,” a 13-year-old Moro who aspires to become a teacher and help other children in the Side B community.
Unlike the better-off Side A community, Side B is not just struggling to adapt to its relocation site, it also fights against the misperception that the families are only into begging. Carmel wanted to show readers how the stereotyping of Badjaos condemns many members of the Moro community to “live in the shadow of racism.”
“I wanted to let people see the plight of our brothers and sisters in the Moro community. I wanted to erase ideas and notions that they are just people who beg on streets… these people have dreams, too, like getting education.”
When Sept. 21 will usher in the 14th Cebu Press Freedom Week, the academe and the industry should evaluate what collaborations can spark and sustain the participation of young Cebuanos in journalism.
With call centers beckoning many graduates with better salaries and incentives, newsrooms may seem to lose out in the competition for the hearts and minds of the young.
But this view overlooks the fact that those attracted to a life of chasing news not only have a facility with language to recommend them. Passion to “cover the community they serve and serve the community they cover” is the most important prerequisite for a newsroom worker.
Such fervor abounds in the young, awaiting channeling.
Sharing the stake
Civic journalism—“citizen” or “community journalism” are other popular tags—opens an avenue for citizens, such as campus journalists, to participate in setting the agenda for public discussion.
Given the multi-tasking duties confronting professional journalists, there are areas of community life that may not only be neglected or ignored by the press. This may be covered best by stakeholders, those most affected by such developments.
Lareina Devi M. Rajah is interested in the issues of multiculturalism. The Singaporean studying Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas Cebu College views as important “educating society about the significance of cultural diversity.”
Based on interviews with half-Pinoys studying in Cebu universities, Lareina wrote and contributed an article to Sun.Star Weekend Magazine. Not only does she agree that a multi-ethnic environment is excellent for cultural exchanges, she feels that locals and foreigners can learn from one another. “It is only when we learn about their lives will we be able to be more tolerant and open to various cultures.”
Encouraging more youths, even long before they graduate, to channel their curiosity and passion will keep Cebu journalism in touch, representative and authentic to its community.
