Seeing it first hand

EVERY step collides with every breath I take while absorbing the fact that I actually am seeing the place the news around the city are processed.

Having been studying about journalism for four years was already such an amazing experience but experiencing what it is like to be in a newsroom is so much better. I can see every cubicle where the writers process their stories and I think to myself, I just might be in that cubicle some day.

Being on the field doesn’t mean that you can easily get the facts and type and deliver. It’s not as easy as that. You have to make your article worthy to be published on the paper.

I was grateful for meeting the editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Davao because not only did she tour us around their place but she also gave us a great lecture. It was four years of learning plus additional lessons were packed in just almost two hours. I learned about the big difference between print media and broadcast media wherein you can add some extra elements in the print while broadcasting doesn’t really need any of those. I also learned a new meaning for “beats” which, in the case of journalism, means places where reporters are assigned.

When we were brought to the printing area, it felt so surreal. It was like the smell of newspapers was so intoxicating, pulling me closer to feel its presence so I just let it be. I can just imagine those huge printers clicking and grumbling. But I believe that creating those papers that express truth and courage would also need a great support. High quality of technology would help a lot in generating the value of our papers. Besides, this not just for the credits of being in business, every news conveyed is for the people, of the people and because of the people.

Journalism, in the eyes of others, may be just a field for story tellers who read and write. But behind every newspaper you read is a battle that goes on into infinity unless the civilization of man is already in ruins that cannot be reborn to life. (Apple Mie T. Prestoza, IV-Ponce)