An eye for good news

For almost 15 years in the mainstream media after I earned a # Journalism degree from the known antagonist, University of the Philippines, I was trained to look, always for bad news.

In Toledo City while Covering a story of Former Senator John Henry Osmeña

 

 

Press Freedom Parade with Freeman family

In the Freeman Newspaper www.philstar.com / freeman , the oldest existing newspaper in Cebu Province, we were taught to always doubt. Doubt, question information given by sources and data, specially if these are from the government sector. Oh yes, bad Sells news, but the reason is actually deeper than that.

The # media is the 4th Estate, we have to be the watchdog. =)

With two of the hard hitting commentators in Cebu, Leo Lastimosa of jab and Bobby Nalzaro of DySS

And experience wise, government news is boring, like most of it lands in the trash can or made as draft papers.

With police beat reporters During the time of PDG PRO7 as Regional Director Avelino Razon

When I was assigned to the Regional Beat, I was exposed to the different government agencies and THEIR Various programs. I was amazed to know, indeed there are wonderful stories to tell … specific, valid and concrete applications and Implementation of beneficial activities. but unfortunately, these remained untold or “undercovered”.

A Christmas gathering with City Hall beat reporters and then Vice Mayor Michael Rama’s residence.

Government news releases and developmental stories were already branded as propaganda. That alone is already a first bias.

Anchoring a two hour news and public affairs program over DyDD, El Nuevo Bantay Radyo 2010-2012. And then no offense, but there was really a need then for the different government agencies, to embrace good news writing and presentation skills.

Witrh Yory Deldig of Buena Mano GMA7 News

News is not mainly launching, ribbon cutting, inauguration and the likes … so fly you go to the bin!

Thank goodness, I found a way to transform these to news worthy items.

And now here I am at the Philippine Information Agency and I see this as a challenge actually.

 

Signing my appointment November 2012

There will always be that the bias of government information from my former media colleagues.

But then there is also a good realization, that media outlets are actually hungry for GOOD NEWS. Specially if these stories talk about an improved living condition, an “overcomed” problem, a solution to a crisis …

Covering an earthquake drill, three months before the 7.2 magnitude quake and IT park.

Reporters, mainstream media and government specially / information officers, are now “maintaining an eye for good news”.

Getting stories in the northern towns, two days after typhooon Yolanda

These are success stories, more concrete and credible Because we and the government knows that the system is still working beyond the flashes of the cameras.

Covering the Israeli Defense Team mission in the north after typhoon Yolanda

Times had gone so bad that from printed news, broadcast pieces, even on social networking sites, we see, hear, controversies, scams, disasters, crimes …

Whoa … too much …

It does not have to be huge (much better though), but to lighten up someone’s day or to gain trust and be assured that were in the right track, a packet of Good News is enough.

Agree?

Find my stories and www.pia.gov.ph

 

iCebu Episode No. 25: NGCP meets power goal after Yolanda

iCebu Episode No. 24: NGCP Medical Mission

To mark its 5th anniversary this year, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines recently held a medical mission for 200 beneficiaries early this month of January in Cebu City. This is the first medical mission held by NGCP Visayas in their area in line with their corporate social responsibility.

Enough power for brownout-free polls in Visayas

DOE-Visayas Regional Director Antonio Labios (left photo) talking on the steps taken by DOE to ensure stable power supply in Central Visayas for the automated May 2013 elections during the regular Kapihan sa PIA Forum at PIA Cebu. Photo also shows: (L-R, upper-right) CEBECO’S Resident Manager Lowell Belcina and VECO Communications Manager Theresa Sederosia (center). Cebu Information Manager Rachelle M. Nessia (extereme left-lower photo) and Wen Celen of Radyo ng Bayan (extreme right) as moderators. (VVV/PIA CEBU)

Pres. Aquino’s CNN interview

Pres. Aquino being interviewed by CNN’s John Defterios during the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland to discuss the Philippine’s prospects in a shifting world and if the country will become a half-trillion economy before the end of the decade.

NGOs to hold Discernment Recollection for May 2013 candidates, stakeholders

The Dilaab Movement and the Couples for Christ (CFC) Cebu is organizing the “Discernment Recollection for May 2013 Election Stakeholders and Candidates” at the Sacred Heart Center, D. Jakosalem Street, Cebu City. The Recollection Master will be His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle,Archbishop of Manila.

The event will be divided in to two sessions. Morning session will be for stakeholders and voters and the afternoon session will be for the candidates.

9:00AM to 12:00NN – For theMay 2013 stakeholders and voters
Theme: “Listening: Key to Genuine and Effective Companioning of Public Servants”

1:00 PM to 6:00PM – For May 2013 Candidates
Theme: “Listening: Key to Credible and Effective Public Service”

A minimal registration-solidarity fee of Php 120.00 to cover snacks and recollection materials will be asked of each participant.

For more information and confirmation of your attendance, kindly contact Dilaab before 12 February 2013 on the following phone numbers: (landline) +6332-231-9546, +6332-412-7572 (Cellphone) 09328844149 or email us at cide.dilaab@gmail.com.

Source