Proofs of Development Journalism in the Philippines

LAGUNA, Philippines, July 16 -- This is a requirement originally submitted by Earl Gio Manuel, Reina Manongsong, Dolores Magbuhos, Bethel Montojo, Bonz Magsambol, Renel Lapiz, Shien Maiquea and Khaylee Ibarrola.

Examples of Development Journalism Practice in PH.

• Jessica Soho's Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho's(KMJS) is one good example of the existence of development communication here in the country. It was recognized as the Most Development Oriented Program Magazine by the UPLB Gandingan Awards instituted by University of the Philippines Community Broadcaster's Society (UPCBS).

• From chairman of STAR online: “The Philippine media is geared towards profit and not public service. Where in the world can you find primetime newscasts with 30 percent or more about showbiz nonsense? Take the case of ABS-CBN, they have TV Patrol with showbiz news, then later SNN (more showbiz news).

• Commercial Television and Developmental Programming

While broadcast codes state that stations should include public affairs and other developmental formats, current programming focuses primarily on "hard" stories, highlighting power plays, competition, and violence. Over the past few years, the broadcast industry has displayed sensitivity to growing public criticism for its lopsided programming, and there has been a discernible increase in public affairs programming (other than news programs), which has recently gained public following. Some of these programs won international recognition such as The Probe Team and the now off the air Firing Line.

• DZJV (1458 kHz) is an AM Station that airs in CALABARZON. Most of its programs are development oriented. Tinig Kalusugan,Gabay Tahanan,Sagip Tahanan and Musmos Tuklas are some of its programs.


• Another example is the United Nations programs here in the Philippines. They are producing pamphlets and other printed materials to cite the problems in Asia and their possible solutions. The website of UN here in the Philippines contains articles about the development of their projects in the country and the current situation in our country. Some articles are about the Seminars, sessions about MDGs, global movements against poverty etc.

• Women's Health is a fresh and smart magazine that speaks to today's active, youthful women in a way that is passionate, authoritative and relevant to their lifestyles. Women's Health motivates and educates women to take control of their physical and emotional selves so they can live the lives they've imagined. Its focus on fashion, beauty, health, fitness, food/nutrition, fashion, beauty, relationships and inspirational celebrities ensures that all areas of the readers' lives covered.


• "Saranggola" Magazine, is a monthly publication with an intended audience of children 6-12 years old. Each issue features a particular value (eg. obidience, honesty) and incorporates it into stories and activities. Developmental articles are also showcased, such as farming technology, and country relations, in a way that children can easily understand. In the ages where children absorb information like sponges, Saranggola aims to provide young minds with valuable lessons.


• Philippines: Reporting Beyond Doomsday Scenario
BY IMELDA V. ABAÑO

Published at the Asia Media Report 2011: Media in the Era of Climate Change produced by the Asia Media Forum (www.theasiamediaforum.org)


Lourdes Molina Fernandez, editor-in-chief of business daily, BusinessMirror, says the Philippine mass media have improved a lot in its their coverage of climate change since Ketsana and Parma hit the country in 2009.

“They’ve become more aware of their crucial role in covering the weather bureau and the work of scientists, especially the need for constant, up-to-the-minute updates,” she says.

Fernandez says media reports have started putting more focus on government policies in terms of funding priorities for agencies at the forefront of disaster management and response by hiring the right people.

• Philippines: Reporting Beyond Doomsday Scenario
BY IMELDA V. ABAÑO

Published at the Asia Media Report 2011: Media in the Era of Climate Change produced by the Asia Media Forum (www.theasiamediaforum.org)

A bright light in disseminating information about climate change lies in the new media in the Philippines. Some journalists have turned to new media platforms and tools (social networks, blogs and websites) to reach wider audiences and tell stories about climate change in an interactive way, especially with the increasing Internet usage in the country (about 30 million or 30% of the population as of 2009).
Taking advantage of technology, Faustino and her colleagues at television network GMA7, created in September 2010 an interactive flood mapping for Metro Manila to assist the public and journalists alike in reporting situations in disaster-risk areas in the metropolis.
“We have been looking at new ways to practice data journalism — that is not just storing data, but presenting full ranges of data to the public in an interactive, visual manner that is meaningful to people’s daily lives. We’ve been especially focused on trying to maximize geo-specific data,” Faustino says.

CRITIQUE:
We have gathered different articles and examples of idea that certify that development journalism exists in our country Philippines. Those eight idea above proved that in our country, there is dev’t journ. The Philippine media has been practicing it, there are also attempts to improve the way journalists disseminate development oriented articles or news. Other than those, we also found out that we are criticizing the system of our media in reporting wherein they are not giving attention to public affairs and in reporting development oriented news. From these, we can see that we are craving for the desire to improve dev’t journ in the country and we can see also that for this open mindedness of the Filipinos on the problems of our country, the practice of development journalism ignites.
Even though a single Filipino is not really a journalist, he or she can report developmental topics. Our group also made an idea that dev’t journ varies among countries and it is being affected by the cultural aspect. In the Philippines, it is needed for us to be more aware of the problems of the country and to serve as wake up call for the Filipinos to take action. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is used by nation building and economic construction. We saw that one of the goals of Philippine development journalism is to improve the quality of life of the Filipinos. We determined also that because our country is an agricultural country, most of developmental issues are about agriculture, the people behind it, the farmers and the technology that is being developed in the fields.

Our examples show that there are similarities in the practice of development journalism in the Philippines. They are all focusing on how the media can incorporate development oriented topics to an ordinary Filipino. Jessica Soho’s program, Radyo DZJV, UN website in the country and the Saranggola magazine are few examples that dev’t journ exists in the country. They are all aiming to teach Filipinos in the community. They are also reporting news which are not based mainly on showbiz and other non-developmental news but rather on the context of touching a single life through having reports that an ordinary people can relate. They also both have news about a development on such places in the country, they are highlighting even a small area or community in the country and not just about the entire Philippines. They are not just reporting focusing on the regular news or day to day issues but rather on the long term development process. Their programs are also aiming to highlight less covered topics in a certain area.

But if there are similarities, there are also differences. We found out that development projects or development oriented medias differ on which topic should be focused. Saranggola Magazine is for children, Women’s Health is a magazine for women’s development only, Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho has a broader scope that cover different topics and UN Website focuses on the improvement of the Millennium Development Goals.

They also differ on the the approach that they are doing. Let us consider the UN website, it is practicing the authoritarian benevolent approach because it is in partnership with our government in nation building and for the improvement of our economic status.They also differ on the role that they are playing, some programs like Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho teaches its viewers while Saranggola Magazine informs developmental topics to its readers.

Whatever ways they differ, what important is that they are all practicing development journalism as well as the development communication for the improvement or betterment of the lives of every Filipinos here in the Philippines.