Negros Media Group Celebrates First Anniversary
Young journalists in Negros have banded together to professionalize media
practice. There is reason to celebrate this Christmas as the organization
they formed a year ago continues to be strong.
BY KARL G. OMBION
Bulatlat
BACOLOD
CITY – Last Dec. 11, members of Liga Journalista (Journalists’ League), an
organization of mostly young journalists in the
Negros
island, held its first anniversary assembly here.
Reason for
existence
Founding
chair Ranie Azue, a radio broadcaster, said the organization was formed a
year ago by a few highly idealistic young journalists, mostly in their
early 20s to early 30s. They were all dissatisfied with the treatment they
often get from their managers especially when it comes to wages, benefits,
incentives and working conditions.
Some of
them, Azue said, joined the group because of their frustration with the
apparent lack of unity and cooperation among media practitioners caused by
the low remuneration, competition and the “scoop mentality” instilled by
media owners.
Many of them
were discontented with the way some media organizations are being run by
“veteran” media practitioners, specifically, the “turfism” and cliquism
among the seniors and veterans, the practice of “envelopmental journalism”
among some, and the lack of concrete action on the part of media leaders
to help alleviate the plight of the members and the victims of media
repression, Azue added.
All these,
Azue said, led them to organizing a distinct organization of young
journalists not only to foster solidarity and cooperation among media
practitioners and protect and fight for their welfare and security, but
also to find ways to become effective in giving the people the correct
information and analysis, under a media system which is highly
commercialized, repressive and pro-big business.
Azue also
said that the members of Liga Journalista have already participated in
major advocacy campaigns in
Negros,
particularly the protest march it held in support of the campaign for
justice for Radyo Bombo’s Boy Hinolan and other victims of media
repression. The campaign was led by the National Union of Journalists of
the Philippines (NUJP). It also participated in the coordinated barrage of
statements and commentaries on various cases of state-perpetrated
terrorism, coverage of people’s struggles, and expose’ of some cases of
corruption scams.
Freedom with
social responsibility
Ryan Lachica,
23, a reporter of the local daily Sunstar Bacolod, said that
idealism, boundless energy, daringness and impetuosity are the
distinguishing trademarks of the youth. “They form a large part of the way
the youth struggle with realities, make decisions and eventually pursue
the life they want.”
Ritz Malooy,
26, a reporter of local daily Visayan Daily Star, said, “Once these
characteristics are zapped or suppressed by the prevailing media culture
of competition and commercialism, we would just be like the other media
practitioners who are contented with getting assignments, beating
deadlines, making names for themselves and earning, devoid of social
responsibility.”
“That’s not
what we are. Yes, we can always follow instructions and rules, but they
should not choke us, or prevent us from enjoying things we normally like
to do. They should not prevent us from studying social realities, and in
making a stand of our own to include in our reports,” added Ritz.
Rommel Pido,
29, a reporter of Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), said a number of young
journalists joined media agencies even with its low pay and lack of
security of tenure because of their idealism. “There is already a dearth
of this character in the media. We want to rekindle and develop that, and
hopefully, that would reinvigorate the sector to become effective in
informing, entertaining and liberating our people.”
Finding
strength among themselves
“The media
profession is a very taxing job. There’s so much pressure, within the
institution one belongs, and the people, especially sources of
information, one deals with. More saddening, there’s not enough
compensation,” said Marlon Genovea, a reporter of radio station DYEZ.
Richard
Pauyon, 25, a reporter of a local cable station Info13, said, “To be able
to withstand the pressures, still enjoy the job and stay effective, we
have to find strength from within, and that is found among our fellow
young journalists who share common characteristics, problems, aspirations
and hopes.”
Broad-based
membership
What
differentiates Liga Journalista from other media organizations is its
broad membership that includes radio operators, technicians,
administrative support personnel, talent artists, FM disk jockeys of
various broadcast and TV stations and campus journalists.
Noli
Aparicio, chief radio operator of RMN Bacolod and one of the board of
directors of Liga Journalista, said, “I was really excited because no
other media organization has given us importance than this one. Many
thought we are just technical people who do not know much about what
broadcasters and commentators do. What they do not know is that, without
us, they are nothing, they will not be on air. Besides, with Liga
Journalista we now have a channel to air our problems and grievances,”
Aparicio added.
Erwin
Salinas, a senior disk jockey of a local FM station, also said that FM
stations are also engaged in news casting, indirect commentaries and
public affairs. “Oftentimes, we are treated as if we’re not part of the
media institution.”
Salinas
said, “It’s high time for media and the public to know that we are an
important segment of the sector because we are entertaining and shaping
the views and lifestyles of mostly the young generation, the very future
of our society.”
Challenges
Larry
Trinidad, a reporter of RMN and newly elected chair of Liga Journalista,
said, "It's a painful and difficult year, but we have survived, and I am
certain we will grow bigger and stronger because the interests and issues
we stand and fight for are legitimate and just.”
"Despite the economic difficulties faced by media practitioners we
must remain consistent with our commitment to the truth, loyalty to the
people, and sole duty to make the press an instrument of people
empowerment and social justice,"
Trinidad said.
He also challenged them to keep high the banner of progressive and
advocacy journalism for which the group is known, and to always link arms
with other progressive media and people’s organizations. Bulatlat
BACK TO
TOP ■
PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION ■
COMMENT
© 2005 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Publications
Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided
its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.