In celebration of Cebu Press Freedom, Mass Communication and Journalism students were invited in a symposium titled Reaching Out to Future Journalists: Challenges of New Media; this event was sponsored by Smart Communication and Sun Star.
Invited guest speaker is Manuel "Manolo" L. Quezon III aka The Explainer; joined by Jesus B. Garcia Jr, Nini Cabero and Max Limpag of Sun.Star Publishing Inc. as panelists. Like all other journalists and media outlets, The explainer has also conquered and made a name in the world wide web through his blog and other social networking accounts aside from being a columnist and commentator.This isn’t the first that I attended a talk that tackled about the role and challenges of new technology and the emerging new forms of media to present and future journalists, yet attending such forums always remind me of how important it is to effectively work hand in hand with technology while maintaining and practicing ethical journalism.
With the emergence of citizen journalism, it is the journalists’ role to provide integrity and serve as gatekeepers to make sure sources are checked and that the information served is reliable and truthful. Verifying the sources and eliminating which is fictitious is a skill that genuine journalists develop through time and experience; something that a blogger, no matter how well opinionated, educated or creative will probably never or seldom achieve.
The panel provided the history, the future and current issues surrounding this new form of media, particularly it's manifestation on the young and forthcoming journalists, in a nutshell. The Explainer, like what he always does in his show with the same title, showed and elaborated the topic through the use of pictures and was even kind enough to give out tips and tricks in so not to be tangled in the high speed and ever changing world wide web.
One of the highlights of the speakers was the power of the Internet and mobile technology to spread, manipulate, alter and create "reality"; thus becoming a double edge sword to those who rarely have time to verify what they read, hear or see online.
In accordance to the subject and theme, the event was not only graced by the men and women of media or students that were taking related disciplines of communication or journalism, but bloggers were also invited in the said event. Through the help of Smart Communication's newest wireless broadband technology, Smart Bro, these bloggers were asked to buzz the blogosphere about the ongoing activity held at the UP Cebu campus. After which were asked to show the audience their personal or public blog sites. I was one of those bloggers that were invited to write about the event and felt proud in showing off this humble online space of mine.
By the way, I was joined by my three other classmates in Mass communication and they all agreed that they were able to pick up several points on how to be an efficient and effective journalists, its importance compared to just throwing off their two cents worth without proper research or knowledge. Leemark even added " In connection to that, digital world doesn’t affect journalists. It opens the will of the non-journalist to express their views and feelings. Everyone can be a journalist indeed we must be everywhere." In here he agrees with one of the guest speakers that even though technology has made the work of media men easier and faster, technology doesn't create or build up the story nor the news; it's a mere vehicle to make the news reach a broader audience, it is still the journalists' brain that keeps people constantly interested, entertained and informed.
KISS. Keep it short and simple. Mr. Quezon's tip in order to keep the readers interested. So I'm ending it here. In total, it was another thought provoking and enriching symposium. I was never a fan of Mr. Quezon's ANC TV show, nor do I even stop and read his column in the daily but I was simply fascinated by how he was able to deliver such complex topic with simplicity - I was awed and starstucked at the same time. (He did smile and paid attention while I was presenting my blog to the audience, or maybe so I thought, I do wish though) LOL.
P.S.
I wish I had pictures to post with this entry but as of 5pm this afternoon, no pictures of the event proliferated online, I was so spaced out, I forgot to bring my camera. So here is a picture I grabbed from google. And if you do want to check Mr. Quezon's blog just click me!
TYVM!
