on citizens and journalists

With the abundance of modern technology tools, anyone can be a journalist.

As Glaser puts it, anyone with access to the internet and a cellphone with a camera can easily create, augment or fact check stories run by major media organizations.

No harm done if it helps create a bigger and clearer picture of the issue.

Controversies surrounding the rise of citizen journalism continue to be debated and just like anything else, there will always be a downside to it. In the same way that there will always be a case of bad journalism.

It's better to work on the developing medium though instead of finding fault. Sooner or later, citizen journalists will be accepted as a norm, and the faster we can maximize and integrate it with traditional reporting--the better.

US wants Smith custody back

Barely 24 hours after a Makati court convicted US Lance Corporal Daniel Smith for raping a Filipina in Subic last year, the United States now moves to have him back in their custody once again. Smith was ordered detained at a local jail following the court’s verdict.

The US Embassy in Manila has sent a “note verbale” to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) asking for Smith's custody. The embassy cited provisions under the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement specifically Article 5, Section 6 which states that “the US government shall continue to exercise custody of all its personnel until completion of all judicial proceedings”. In an interview, US embassy spokesman Matt Lussenhop said,

"We're coordinating with authorities to return Smith as expeditiously as possible"

Both the DFA and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have echoed the US' right to Smith's custody under the treaty. DOJ officials have signed the US embassy’s request saying they are not posing any objections to it. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez says he understands the position of the United States on the matter. He even confirmed receiving a phone call from US Ambassador Kristie Kenney herself after the judge’s verdict, expressing disappointment on the country’s apparent violation of an international treaty.

But the DFA says, only the court can order the US marine's transfer at this point. Makati judge Benjamin Pozon has received a copy of the US embassy’s request but has yet to act on the matter. (see related story)

Militant groups meantime have begun protest actions outside the US embassy to call on the superpower to respect the court’s decision. Members of Task Force Subic Rape rallied along Padre Faura st. in Manila Tuesday, to remind the public to stay vigilant even after the verdict was given. Pangging Reyes, a convenor for the group warned,

“The US will do everything in its power to get back Smith. We should do everything we can to stop it.”

Smith, who has been detained at the Makati City jail for a week now, is the first US military serviceman to be convicted of a criminal offense in the Philippines. Representatives from the US Embassy continue to watch over and monitor him at his detention cell. Media access has been strictly prohibited.

Smith’s three other companions from the marines were acquitted from the case. They have returned to their military base in Okinawa, Japan.

SC's new chief denies link to charter change initiative

Newly appointed Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s time has finally come.

After being bypassed to a less senior justice for the post last year, Puno’s face glowed with relief on his first day as chief magistrate of the country. He smiled when asked if the appointment was sweeter this time.

“I am a believer in God’s own plan and time. While seniority is a big factor, I know now there are other considerations in the appointment."

True enough, speculations on all sorts of consideration float with Puno’s appointment. Eyebrows were raised when he was called to take his oath at Malacanang shortly before midnight Wednesday, while administration lawmakers at the House of Representatives were passing a resolution on a Senate-less Constituent Assembly or Con-ass. The matter has been raised at the Supreme Court. (see related story)

Puno, who voted in favor of charter change in a previous ruling by the Court, was seen as an advantage by members of the lower House.

The new Chief Justice however says no one can figure him out at this point. He denied allegations the administration has found a new ally on the charter change issue with his appointment.

"They can entertain that kind of opinion, but my records can speak otherwise...my actions will only be dictated by one consideration, the rule of law."

Like apples and oranges

He added it was impossible to tell how the justices will vote on the issue since lawmakers have not even started debates on the proposed changes. Comparing his position to the people’s initiative for cha-cha (which the court ruled on recently) to the proposed Con-ass by the House would be like comparing apples to oranges.

Puno also found humor in the media’s slant to his “midnight appointment”.

“Just because I was appointed at 12 midnight, it’s literally called a midnight appointment. But it’s more of Chief Justice Panganiban retiring and the new CJ taking up the post…it’s for a seamless transition.”

Puno, known as one of the most reclusive among the justices of the Supreme Court, surprised media by gamely answering all the questions raised on his first press conference. Notwithstanding the late night because of his oath-taking, Puno faced media’s questions with ease. He ended with the assurance that he will be independent from the authority that placed him in power.

“I pledge to do what is expected of me: to espouse no ideology but constitutionalism, to uphold no theology but the rule of law.”

Puno is the country's 22nd Chief Justice.

SC's new chief denies link to charter change initiative

LEAD IN: New Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno denies his appointment is linked to the Charter Change initiative by the administration. Marieton Pacheco reports.

-VO script-
Newly-appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno denied allegations the adminstration has found a new ally on the charter change issue with his appointment to the post Wednesday.

In his first press briefing, Puno said administration lawmakers can entertain that kind of opinion, but his records will speak otherwise.

The new chief justice emphasized, his actions will only be dictated by one consideration, the rule of law.

Puno, who voted in favor of charter change thru a People's Initiative in a recent Supreme Court ruling says, it is impossible to tell how the justices will vote on the proposed amendments to the charter, this time thru a Constituent Assembly.

Pro-charter change groups have claimed they have Puno on their side. But the new Chief Justice says there's no one who can figure him out at this point.

Puno is the country's 22nd Chief Justice.

His appointment comes at a time when Congress is pushing for charter change, even without their counterparts from the Senate.

The matter is expected to be raised at the Supreme court.
(end)

multi-media journalism

Multi-media journalism seems to be the answer to the shortfalls of the particular medium we're practicing.

For TV- multi-tasking is fast becoming the norm where shooting, writing and reporting stories all by yourself are expected among reporters. Blame it on the advent of VJs (video journalists) abroad. What used to be a three-man team where a cameraman and an assistant shoots and drives for the reporter on coverage can now be trimmed to a one-man team. It usually depends on the kind of story you're working on and under what circumstances the coverage is. But it's happening. Our network has also begun training journalists who can not only shoot but edit and transmit video as well.

The capability to present news in different platforms though remains a work in progress. While we on TV are encouraged to write our stories online, we rely mostly on a different news staff servicing our network's website. Although we also carry an online version of the channel's major newscasts on www.abs-cbnnews.com

Maybe it's because journalists in general see news online as a new medium to be practiced by those who are tech-savvy. Its only now that some are beginning to realize that its a new medium even traditional journalists from print or broadcast can venture into.

on strengths and weaknesses

TV journalists deliver news real time. We work with video or live pictures, and most of the time it's the best way to tell a story. No long words needed. TV also has such a wide reach that's why it's a very powerful medium. It makes one famous or infamous quickly, it demands immediate results and pushes officials/people to action.

But news on tv is limited by time. An hour's newscast contains all the stories gathered in day, which means a single report can only run 1-2 minutes max. How much can you say in such a short time? And it's not permanent. If you missed the news on TV,tough luck. Go check the net or the papers tomorrow.

Print's greatest advantage over tv and radio is the fact that it stays. One can always go back to read something that's printed and published. It also gives room for analysis, allowing greater understanding of the news. Unfortunately, it has a decreasing market. Less people have time to read the papers nowadays and only do so when a big story happens.

News online on the otherhand, takes the advantage of both broadcast and print, and makes it even better because of accessibility. It can operate real time or close to real time, since news sites are updated immediately. Images and pictures can also be uploaded. And just like print, what's published online stays.

With all their strengths and weaknesses, I use tv, radio, print and online to get news everyday. Depends on the time I have, the access to internet or the lack of it when I'm mobile. Opportunities for traditional media grow each day because of convergence. But those wary of change can view the same opportunities as threats as well.

Take for example the multi-tasking of journalists. It can open opportunities to deliver news in multiple platforms; but the same opportunity can also be seen as a threat by those who do not want additional work on their hands.

Thoughts on convergence

My first taste of convergence had something to do with an xda-II phone.

A couple of years back, our TV network provided all reporters with an xda. Aside from wanting us to become accessible, they also wanted us to shoot video when cameras aren't allowed. And record short sound bytes. Surf the net while mobile. And write and email scripts on the spot.

I was terrified with the new gadget, and overwhelmed with the additional work expected from us. And I wasn't alone. Some of my colleagues didn't even open and use their new phones for months, and stuck it out with their old and reliable models!

But work was faster and easier afterwards. Not to mention that it looked way cooler than dictating scripts via phone, or worse, doing live reports with scratch paper on hand.

Have to admit though, tv journalists aren't as fast when it comes to adapting to convergence. Or at least those in our newsroom. Aside from using phones in our reports, we also have content sharing with our print and radio partners. And we have an online version of the news, www.abs-cbn.com. But that's about it.

Unlike counterparts in other countries, we are not obliged to service all platforms. We work primarily for our own mediums. Though we are encouraged to write for our online news as well, its not something that's gained much popularity over the years. There's actually a different staff that writes for our news online.

The readings did mention the reluctance of some journalists when it comes to convergence. Its probably the lack of training, or maybe not enough technology. It can even simply be fear of change.

BUT WE HAVE TO CHANGE. Its not only technology that's changing, but even the very same people watching us. News consumers are now faced with so much choices on where to get their information that we have to keep up. We have to make sure our news is available in different platforms, so it can reach as much number of people as possible.

Or else we get left behind. We might as well consider a career shift then.

This is Me

I never thought I'd actually be part of this blogging fever.

You see, I'm not very technology-friendly. I was the last in our group who learned the wonders of e-mail. I cannot even share photos on the net by myself. And my husband created my Friendster account.

But that's why I signed up for this Exploring New Media course.

My name is Marie Antonette T. Pacheco. Marieton or Ton for short. I am a Sr. Reporter and a news anchor for ABS-CBN, one of the biggest TV networks in the Philippines. I have been in media for the past seven years. But I've always wanted to cover and do the news for as long as I can remember.

I love working long hours. My day starts at 6am as I prepare myself for Mornings@anc, a two and a half hour news magazine program on our network's cable channel. Then I'm off to my regular beat as reporter, the Justice Department and the Supreme Court. I cover hearings, press conferences, 10-hour oral arguments and twisted lawyers. And I try to make sense of them in the stories I produce. My normal day ends at about 9pm.

I was also assigned to cover former President Erap's plunder trial at the Sandiganbayan. And I've done my share of general assignment stories as well. Rallies, election coverages, politicians' bickering, typhoons, attempted kudetas...there's really nothing like covering news.

But it's not all work for me because I come home to three people who keep me sane. My husband, Cisco, and our two kids, Anton and Javier.

Other things about me: I'm a frustrated singer. I'm learning how to cook (after 7 years of being married!), I take time out for scrapbooks and I'm a scuba diver.