Chronicle (PJR Reports, May-July 2012)

Inquirer names new readers’ advocate

FORMER UNIVERSITY of the Philippine College of Mass Communication (UPCMC) dean Elena Pernia is the new readers’ advocate of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The post had been vacant for four years.

The Readers’ Advocate, also known as the press ombudsman, responds to readers’ feedback and complaints about coverage and comment.

Pernia is a communication research professor and served as UPCMC dean from June 2006 to May 2009. She has been part of the executive boards of the Philippine Center for Communication Programs and the Social Science Division of the National Research Council of the Philippines.

Prior to Pernia, former PJR Reports editor Lorna Kalaw-Tirol served as the Inquirer’s Readers’ Advocate.. Domingo Quimlat was the Inquirer’s first Readers’ Advocate appointed in December 1988. Alice Colet-Villadolid and lawyer Raul Palabrica also held the post.

Agriculture journalism awards opens

THE BRIGHT Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards is now accepting entries for its sixth year of recognizing best works on agriculture reporting.

The Awards are open to national and local print and broadcast journalists who did stories on agriculture from Sept. 1, 2011 to August 2012. Stories in any Filipino dialect are eligible.

The categories for this year are: Agriculture Story of the Year, Tobacco Story of the Year, Best Television Program or Segment, Best Radio Program or Segment, Agriculture Photo of the Year, Tobacco Photo of the Year, Best Regional News story, Best National News Story, Best Regional Feature News Story, Best National Feature Story. The Oriental Leaf Award will also be given to honor those who won for three consecutive years.

Past winners include Alberto Mach Fabe of BusinessMirror and Melpha Abello of the Manila Bulletin, among others.

The deadline for the submission of entries is on Aug. 31, 2012. The awarding of winners will be on Nov. 23.

Entries can be sent to the Bright Leaf Awards secretariat c/o Cozoz, Inc., 1102 P. Ocampo corner Conchu Streets, Malate, Manila. For more information visit: http://www.thebrightleafawards.com.

PCIJ finalist in first Data Journalism Awards

THE PHILIPPINE Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) was among the finalists in the first international Data Journalism Awards (DJA).

PCIJ was a finalist in the data-driven investigation, local-regional category of DJA for its report “Opaque LGUs the norm in NCR”, which was published online on July 27, 2011. The article was part of a two-part special on access to public documents in government agencies in Metro Manila.

DJA is organized by the Global Editors Network, an international association of editors and senior news executives. DJA aims to recognize best works in the field of data journalism and to promote the use of data in reporting.

Winners were announced on May 31 during the News World Summit in Paris. The Seattle Times won the data-driven investigation, local/regional category for the story “Methadone and the politics of pain” while Mother Jones and UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting won the national/international category for the story “Terrorists for the FBI.”

For the list of other winners visit: http://datajournalismawards.org.

Aquino criticizes media during PPI forum

PRESIDENT BENIGNO Aquino III reminded the press of the need for accurate reporting, and to refrain from reporting negative events that he said can potentially harm the reputation of the country. Mr. Aquino made the remarks during the 16th Philippine Press Institute (PPI) National Press Forum last April 23 which he keynoted.

Aquino told the press about a report that he supposedly went on a date. The report appeared to be false as the whole time where he was supposed to be out on a date, he was actually in a meeting with the NEDA board reviewing and approving projects.

Aquino also criticized the press for “negative” reports, such as those on crimes and negative travel advisories by other countries to their citizens in the Philippines.

“I do not wish you to make up stories to present a positive image of the government. But if we balance news and think of every word we use that affect the lives of our countrymen, I am sure that we can easily attain our collective goals as a nation,” Aquino said in Filipino.

Several media practitioners were also invited to address this year’s theme “Media accountability and public engagement.”

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Executive Director Malou Mangahas presented the results of the first Philippine assessment for the Asia Media Barometer.

Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility Deputy Director Luis V. Teodoro spoke on self-regulation while National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Secretary-General Rowena Paraan spoke on the safety and welfare of journalists. TV5 News and Information Head Luchi Cruz-Valdez talked about engaging the public to protect press freedom and preserve democracy.

New tabloid launched

THE PUBLISHER of BusinessMirror launched a new tabloid which promises to “revolutionize” the tabloid industry in the Philippines, April 17.

Pilipino Mirror calls itself “Salamin ng katotohanan (mirror of truth)” and aims to “revolutionize the tabloid industry in the Philippines in form and substance while protecting and ensuring the right of Filipinos to accurate news and information with the highest regard for truth, quality and accuracy.”

ALC Media Group owns Pilipino Mirror. It also publishes BusinessMirror and the Philippines Graphic Magazine. It also owns dwIZ 882Khz AM and Home Radio 97.9 FM. #