Category: Vera Files

VERA Files, Reporters Without Borders Germany partner to monitor media ownership in PH

Ellen

Lisa-Maria Kretschmer, head of Research & Project Coordinator of Reporters Without Borders Germany Media Ownership Monitor, explains the project they are undertaking with VERA Files in the Philippines. Beside her is LUZ Rimban, VERA Files trustee.

Lisa-Maria Kretschmer, head of Research & Project Coordinator of Reporters Without Borders Germany Media Ownership Monitor, explains the project they are undertaking with VERA Files in the Philippines. Beside her is LUZ Rimban, VERA Files trustee.


By YVETTE MORALES

VERA Files has partnered with Reporters ohne Grenzen, German section of Reporters sans frontières (Reporters without Borders, RSF) to embark on a three-month study of media ownership in the Philippines.

The Media Ownership Monitor (MOM) Philippines is part of RSF’s global project to study the extent of the concentration of media ownership, a prerequisite for securing freedom of the press and defending the diversity of opinions.

Vergel Santos, Chairman of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, who was one of the participants in the roundtable discussion held last week to kick-off the project, called the MOM a “terrific,” much-needed initiative that will open people’s eyes to the power behind the media organizations.

Vergel Santos of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility with Crispin Maslog of UP, Los Banos.

Vergel Santos of Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility with Crispin Maslog of UP, Los Banos.


“Whatever you say, the owners impose their will on the media organization,” Santos said. He added that the study will provide the public with a glimpse of how media owners’ interests become part of the news agenda, and what kind of gatekeeping happens inside newsrooms.

The project, which employs a generic methodology for all countries, will look at ownership and media concentration of the most relevant newspapers, tabloids, online news sites, television and radio stations based on audience share.

“If your figures are really high, that means you’re widely circulated, that means you have more readers and that means and it can […] translate into, let’s say, good business. Meaning, a lot of advertisers would want to publish their ads on the paper,” said Ariel Sebellino, Executive Director of the Philippine Press Institute, who was also one of the participants in the roundtable discussion.

From left to right: Rachel Khan, chair of the Journalism Department, UP;Ariel Sebellino, PPI executive director; and Ramon Tuazon of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.

From left to right: Rachel Khan, chair of the Journalism Department, UP;Ariel Sebellino, PPI executive director; and Ramon Tuazon of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.


A website will be put up to contain the result of the study which will be presented to the public in November in a press conference to be followed by an academic workshop on media pluralism.

RSF started MOM in Colombia and Cambodia in 2015. This year, aside from the Philippines, RSF is also undertaking MOM in Tunisia, Turkey, Mongolia, Peru, and Ukraine.

Reporters Without Borders Germany has existed for 21 years and is part of the international, Paris-based organization Reporters sans frontières, whose aim is to defend human rights, in particular freedom of the press and the right to inform and be informed anywhere in the world.

VERA Files is nonprofit media organization composed of veteran journalists committed to advance excellence in journalism by engaging in research-intensive, high-impact reports in multiple formats and providing training, particularly mentoring of journalists.

Lisa-Maria Kretschmer and Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files trustee.

Lisa-Maria Kretschmer and Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files trustee.

Road safety journalism award launched

Ellen

By Jake Soriano, VERA Files

Journalist and VERA Files trustee Ellen Tordesillas announced on April 12 the launch of a new award to honor the best student work on road safety issues.

Chit Estella

Chit Estella

The Chit Estella Road Safety Journalism Award, named in honor of journalist Lourdes “Chit” Estella-Simbulan, will be given next year as a special category in the Philippine Journalism Research Conference (PJRC).

PJRC is an annual event organized by the Journalism Department of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication.

The new special award expands the current Chit Estella Memorial Awards for Journalism Research, given at the PJRC, for the best student work in journalism research, special projects, and investigative journalism.

“It will be given to the most outstanding research paper or in-depth report, multiple formats allowed, on road safety by journalism or communication students,” said Tordesillas, during the closing program of the 2016 PJRC.

“VERA Files is offering to cover the cash prize and the trophy for this award. This is in addition to the yearly support it extends to the [PJRC],” she added.

Estella-Simbulan, a professor at the UP Journalism Department and VERA Files trustee, was killed on May 13, 2011 in a road crash.

Road crashes are among the leading causes of deaths in the Philippines, said Tordesillas, quoting government figures.

“I don’t use the words ‘(road) accident’ as if yun ang tadhana ng buhay (it is due to fate), and there was nothing that could have prevented it,” explained Tordesillas.

“Road crashes are preventable. And media can help create an environment that would make our roads safe. One of that is to come out with good stories based on excellent research,” she said.

Students from the University of the Philippines and the Southern Luzon State University received this year’s Chit Estella Memorial Awards.

UP Diliman students Krixia Subingsubing and Ron Bautista receive their award for the investigative journalism category. Joining them are (from left) UP Diliman Prof. Evelyn Katigbak, UP Manila Prof. Roland Simbulan, and VERA Files’ Ellen Tordesillas. Photo courtesy of UP CMC Journalism Department

UP Diliman students Krixia Subingsubing and Ron Bautista receive their award for the investigative journalism category. Joining them are (from left) UP Diliman Prof. Evelyn Katigbak, UP Manila Prof. Roland Simbulan, and VERA Files’ Ellen Tordesillas. Photo courtesy of UP CMC Journalism Department


They are:

Amiel Jansen Demetrial of the Southern Luzon State University for “Terorista! Terorista? Ideological Construction of the Moro Muslim Identity in the Online Reports of the Mamasapano Clash and the Bangsamoro Basic Law” (journalism research category)
Regina Aquino, Jon Robin Bustamante, and Janelle Dilao of UP Diliman for “Six Feet Under” (special projects category)
Ron Bautista and Krixia Subingsubing of UP Diliman for “System Reboot: An Investigative Study on the Implementation of the eUP Project of the University of the Philippines System” (investigative journalism category)

“Chit’s lasting memory is her fierce independence,” said UP Professor Roland Simbulan, Estella-Simbulan’s husband, in his closing remarks.

He said he could trace Estella-Simbulan’s independence and courage “to her stint as student journalist of the Philippine Collegian during the Martial Law years.”

“In those days of martial rule, if you were caught working for the underground press you will not only be arrested but also tortured and even killed or become a ‘desaparecidos’ as many Filipinos experienced,” Simbulan said.

“There are still great risks in a free society, but the risks in a dictatorship are even greater, and graver. The only thing that made the Marcos dictatorship look good was the absence of a free press and the solid walls of a silenced press around it,” he said.

Road safety journalism award launched

Ellen

By Jake Soriano, VERA Files

Journalist and VERA Files trustee Ellen Tordesillas announced on April 12 the launch of a new award to honor the best student work on road safety issues.

Chit Estella

Chit Estella

The Chit Estella Road Safety Journalism Award, named in honor of journalist Lourdes “Chit” Estella-Simbulan, will be given next year as a special category in the Philippine Journalism Research Conference (PJRC).

PJRC is an annual event organized by the Journalism Department of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Mass Communication.

The new special award expands the current Chit Estella Memorial Awards for Journalism Research, given at the PJRC, for the best student work in journalism research, special projects, and investigative journalism.

“It will be given to the most outstanding research paper or in-depth report, multiple formats allowed, on road safety by journalism or communication students,” said Tordesillas, during the closing program of the 2016 PJRC.

“VERA Files is offering to cover the cash prize and the trophy for this award. This is in addition to the yearly support it extends to the [PJRC],” she added.

Estella-Simbulan, a professor at the UP Journalism Department and VERA Files trustee, was killed on May 13, 2011 in a road crash.

Road crashes are among the leading causes of deaths in the Philippines, said Tordesillas, quoting government figures.

“I don’t use the words ‘(road) accident’ as if yun ang tadhana ng buhay (it is due to fate), and there was nothing that could have prevented it,” explained Tordesillas.

“Road crashes are preventable. And media can help create an environment that would make our roads safe. One of that is to come out with good stories based on excellent research,” she said.

Students from the University of the Philippines and the Southern Luzon State University received this year’s Chit Estella Memorial Awards.

UP Diliman students Krixia Subingsubing and Ron Bautista receive their award for the investigative journalism category. Joining them are (from left) UP Diliman Prof. Evelyn Katigbak, UP Manila Prof. Roland Simbulan, and VERA Files’ Ellen Tordesillas. Photo courtesy of UP CMC Journalism Department

UP Diliman students Krixia Subingsubing and Ron Bautista receive their award for the investigative journalism category. Joining them are (from left) UP Diliman Prof. Evelyn Katigbak, UP Manila Prof. Roland Simbulan, and VERA Files’ Ellen Tordesillas. Photo courtesy of UP CMC Journalism Department


They are:

Amiel Jansen Demetrial of the Southern Luzon State University for “Terorista! Terorista? Ideological Construction of the Moro Muslim Identity in the Online Reports of the Mamasapano Clash and the Bangsamoro Basic Law” (journalism research category)
Regina Aquino, Jon Robin Bustamante, and Janelle Dilao of UP Diliman for “Six Feet Under” (special projects category)
Ron Bautista and Krixia Subingsubing of UP Diliman for “System Reboot: An Investigative Study on the Implementation of the eUP Project of the University of the Philippines System” (investigative journalism category)

“Chit’s lasting memory is her fierce independence,” said UP Professor Roland Simbulan, Estella-Simbulan’s husband, in his closing remarks.

He said he could trace Estella-Simbulan’s independence and courage “to her stint as student journalist of the Philippine Collegian during the Martial Law years.”

“In those days of martial rule, if you were caught working for the underground press you will not only be arrested but also tortured and even killed or become a ‘desaparecidos’ as many Filipinos experienced,” Simbulan said.

“There are still great risks in a free society, but the risks in a dictatorship are even greater, and graver. The only thing that made the Marcos dictatorship look good was the absence of a free press and the solid walls of a silenced press around it,” he said.

Norman Sison

Ellen

Norman in a Philippine revolutionary army uniform. At the Lopez museum

Norman in a Philippine revolutionary army uniform. At the Lopez museum


I haven’t bid Norman goodbye properly and I feel bad about it.

Norman is a very good writer and it was a privilege for VERA Files to have him as one of our writers.

When young writers inquire about contributing feature stories for VERA Files, a group that publishes in- depth and feature stories, I always tell them to check out articles by Norman, Pablo Tariman, Babeth Lolarga, and Winnie Velasquez as examples of good writing.

It’s good writing if once you’ve started with the first paragraph, you continue reading until you get to the last sentence. It’s a good article if you learned something new– an information or a perspective of an issue.

Norman loves history and he writes about it in the context of contemporary times. Or if he writes about today’s technology, he always included a sense of history. Like the exhibit “Last, Lost, Lust for Four Episodes” at the Ayala Museum June 2015. Norman chose as peg for the article the Voltes V craze in the late 70s and the oppressive environment under Martial Law.
Titled, “Revenge of the Voltes V Generation,” the article, written last year is even more relevant today.

Norman talked about a 13-foot tall sculpture by artist Toym Imao, who was 11 years old when then President Ferdinand Marcos ordered a ban of Voltes V in 1979.

Norman wrote: “Today’s generation may simply see it as an artwork demonizing the dictator. What they do not know was that it echoes the Sky Rook, the large Boazanian starship that resembled a skull with devil horns. On top was a Disney-style castle, where the Boazanian leadership monitored the battles between their beast fighters and Voltes V.

“The artwork has also something more relevant to say to the present generation: how Filipinos choose their leaders come elections, as if they have a penchant for committing suicide by politics.”

Norman quoted Imao saying, “My frustration does not stem from the fact that another Marcos is gunning for the highest position of the land, but from how a vast majority of our people — through their choice of leaders — perpetuate nepotism and political dynasties. That the Marcoses are still in power, along with other similar incarnations in our existing government, is a barometric reading on our political maturity as a people.”

Norman concluded” “The Marcos dictatorship may have ended almost 30 years ago, but the politics of impunity remain. So, the struggle continues, with the ending nowhere in sight. Laments Imao: ‘We are still victims of patronage and celebrity politics.’”
I met Norman through his wife, Carla, in our Icanserve events. Icanserve is an organization of cancer survivors and Carla, a stage-4 breast cancer survivor, is one of the active movers.

All members of Icanserve consider Norman an honorary member.

Norman Sison wears history.

Norman Sison wears history.

One time, I asked Carla to write about Icanserve for VERA Files. She gave a better idea: why don’t you ask Norman to write about how the other half of the couple cope when one has cancer.

For the article, Norman interviewed musician Jim Paredes, whose wife, Lydia, is a breast cancer survivor.

A portion of Norman’s article: “Yes, husbands also suffer. For them, dealing with breast cancer is a learning experience for which there is no preparation, no on-the-job-training, and no orientation. The only way to learn how to swim is to be in the water.

“Adding to the challenge is the fact that men by nature do not talk about their problems. Talking is a woman thing, not a man thing. That may explain why there are support groups for breast cancer patients and survivors but there are a handful for the men — if you can find them.”

He shared three tips from Paredes: First step is acceptance; talk about it; and learn from others.

Norman underscored this advice from Paredes which he himself experienced: “There will be fear to deal with. Feel the fear, face it and do what you must do.”

I always look forward for Norman’s articles. Last Feb. 17, I got a text message from him: “Hi Ellen, I’m back. Kumusta? Anyway, would you be interested in a piece about the Philippine ambassador to Japan? We’re going there in March.”

I was happy to get that message because I have seen posts in his Facebook page about him confined in a hospital. I replied: “Okay. Glad you are well now.” And he answered: “Thanks.”

Every time I open my email, I was hoping to get Norman’s article. Monday last week, when I was home feeling the symptoms of incoming flu, I checked my email and was shocked to this a message from Kara Alikpala: “ Carla, our dear sister, just lost her husband a few minutes ago, our dear Norman Sison, a tireless volunteer and an adorable boyfriend to all ICANSERVE sisters!”

It’s not farewell, Norman. The insights you shared with us through your articles, I will forever treasure.

Scholarship opportunities

Ellen Leave a comment

I’d like to share here fellowship opportunities – two for journalists and two for students.

Please take note of the deadlines for the submission of applications.

The Jefferson Fellowships offer print and broadcast journalists from the United States, Asia and the Pacific Islands the unique opportunity to gain on-the-ground perspectives and build international networks to enhance their reporting through an intensive one-week education and dialogue seminar at the East-West Center in Honolulu followed by two weeks of study tour travel in the Asia Pacific-U.S. region.
Jefferson Fellowship East West Center
The theme of this year’s Jefferson Fellowships Program is “The Future of Growth in Asia Pacific” and fellows will be travelling to Honolulu, Hawaii; Beijing & Guiyang, China; Tokyo & Fukuoka-Kitakyushu, Japan.

Fellowship Dates: April 30-May 22, 2016

Who Can Apply: Working print, broadcast, and on-line journalists in the United States, Asia and the Pacific Islands. Five years of experience preferred. English fluency required. Complete applications must be submitted by Friday, January 29, 2016 by: E-mail: jefferson@eastwestcenter.org or Fax: 808-944-7600

For more information on the fellowship, please visit: http://www.eastwestcenter.org/seminars-and-journalism-fellowships/journalism-fellowships/jefferson-fellowships
***
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines announced two scholarships open to Filipino students.
TECO
One is the Ministry of Education scholarship offered specifically to qualified international students who wish to pursue their higher education in Taiwan.

Two recipients of the Taiwan MOE Scholarships will be selected this year to pursue their post-graduate studies (Master Degree or Doctoral Degree) in Taiwan universities of their choice. The program duration is 2 years for students of the Master Program and 4 years for Doctoral Program. The Republic of Taiwan MOE awards each recipient NTD 40, 000 per semester to cover the tuition fee. Recipients will receive an extra monthly subsistence allowance of NTD 20,000 to cover other expenses.

Applicant must meet all of the criteria as stated in the scholarship guidelines posted in the Taiwan MOE’s website as follows: https://taiwanscholarship.moe.gov.tw. Application form and list of requirements are also available at the MOE website. Application period is open from February 1 to March 31, 2016. Applicants must send completed application form and relevant documents to TECO in the Philippines before March 31, 2016.

For more information regarding the requirements and the application process, prospective applicants may call 887-6688 ext. 141 or visit TECO’s website at http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ph.

The other is the 2016 International Higher Education Scholarship Program (IHESP) sponsored by the Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF).

The application period is from January 1 to March 18, 2016. The IHESP is in partnership with 20 Universities in Taiwan and offers 23 different graduate or PhD programs conducted entirely in English.

The IHESP enables talented young citizens to come to Taiwan to pursue their higher education and study relevant courses that are specifically designed to address key development issues. These courses focus on the development needs of our partner countries by addressing issues such as tropical agriculture, aquatic, sciences, business administration, information technology, human resource development, medicine and public health, or various fields of engineering. The IHESP aims to boost social development and economic growth by generating a pool of quality human resources.

The IHESP provides each recipient with full financial support for tuition, living expenses, economic class roundtrip air tickets, credit fees, insurance, textbook costs and monthly stipend during the duration of educational program in Taiwan. Each recipient receives a monthly stipend of NT$15,000(Php 20,500) in Master Program and NT$17,000(Php21, 900) in PhD Program respectively.

For the complete application procedure, please visit http://www.icdf.org.tw/ct.asp?xItem=12505&CtNode=30316&mp=2
Please take note that intended applicants must submit their complete and duly authenticated application package to the TECO in the Philippines for preliminary screening no later than March 18, 2016. For any further query regarding the scholarship matters, applicants can contact Mr. Eric Chen by phone at (02)887-6688 ext. 106 or by email at ccchen07@mofa.gov.tw.
***

Road Safety logo
VERA Files is reiterating its invitation to journalists from print and broadcast media, free-lance writers and bloggers based in Metro Manila and Luzon to participate in a Road Safety Journalism Fellowship.

Applicants may send their updated CVs (no more than two pages), two samples of published articles/video clips, a letter of endorsement from an editor or producer, and a completed application form to roadsafety@verafiles.org or roadsafetyph@gmail.com.
Deadline: January 31, 2016