On a learning curve in a world of change
IN A complex and fast-changing world, journalists cannot be dismissive of the continuing need to learn. They can no longer claim that they have seen and done everything. The need for training is obvious even in simpler times, as not one story is really ever exactly like another. But climate change and its implications, the evolution of international conflicts, shifting alliances in politics and different styles of leadership – these require journalists to be updated and better informed about emerging issues, to get ahead, so to speak, of the story.
The year 2012 was rich with opportunities for continuing education for journalists, and those described below do not include those provided by news organizations for their staff.
HIV and AIDS
The AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Society of the Philippines organized a discrimination and stigma reduction workshop to equip members of the media with knowledge on reporting cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and on how to deal with persons living with HIV.
The workshop also exposed journalists to government efforts to inform the public and intervention efforts to address HIV cases in the country.
The Philippines is still categorized as a low-level epidemic worldwide with HIV prevalence rate of less than one percent of the population. However, reported cases of people living with HIV in the country are increasing.
According to the latest count in the Philippine National HIV and AIDS Registry of the Department of Health (DOH) National Epidemiology Center, there are 2,761 new reported cases from January to October 2012 compared to the 2,349 new reported cases in 2011. There are 11,125 reported cases of HIV from 1984 to October 2012.
HIV attacks the immune system of the body which fights off infections and diseases. AIDS is the end stage of HIV which remains an incurable disease though treatments are available to slow down the replication of the virus.
Dr. Jose Gerard Belimac, program manager of the DOH AIDS/STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) Prevention and Control Program, said the media can be an agent of change by providing accurate information so that the public will understand issues on HIV and AIDS.
Belimac admitted that DOH is not doing well in the education part of the campaign against HIV and AIDS. Aside from partnerships with civil society organizations, he asked media’s help to inform the public better on issues related to HIV and AIDS.
Media and elections
In preparation for the 2013 elections, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), reminded journalists and editors that election coverage is more than reporting gimmicks and public opinion polls. Its seminar-workshop on “Covering the 2013 Elections: Uncovering Campaign Finance, Local Power, and Governance” was a training meant to help develop reports that can assist the public in its choice of competent leaders.
PCIJ Executive Director Malou Mangahas told members of the media that coverage should go beyond reporting the contest of candidates. It is the job of the media to report on issues that will help the public form informed decisions.
Mangahas said there are reports that are more concerned about form rather than content.
“So we have event stories instead of insight stories, and talk as the staple or the backbone of our stories,” Mangahas said. “There is little context, little consequence, no continuity, timeline, or sense of history.”
PCIJ’s training looked ahead to the 2013 elections, the impact of which would go beyond the replacement of officials by the winning set. Reporting should continue by helping the public to hold elected officials accountable. The workshop-training also discussed the partylist system, political parties, and election spending.
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