If James Bond was a reporter...

I used to think our office issued phones were cool.

We were given xda-II's in 2004, and just recently it was upgraded to a Sony Ericsson P990i. I'm not tech savvy. But I love the way both phones have cameras we can use to shoot with in case our cameraman's denied entry, or the way it allows us to check our email and send scripts even while we're walking.

But then I saw Newsgear. Now that's really cool. If James Bond was a reporter, he'd have the stuff in Newsgear. Practical and useful.. but classy.Imagine a volvo for a complete mobile online newsroom. And all those little gadgets you need to have wi-fi and be able to stream live video and audio directly back to the net. It's impressive because its creative. Function wise speaking, it's the t-v network's OB (outside broadcast) VAN equivalent--only much cheaper. (or is it? maybe they shouldn't have used a Volvo..)

Anyway, it simply shows how new technology coupled with ingenuity can match the kind of equipment only big-time media companies could afford then. It makes a level playing field doable.

Here in the Philippines though, the concept of having Newsgear's stuff on the road strikes me as scary. Carjacking in the city. Undisciplined drivers on the road. Limited wi-fi zones. And bringing them to where news happens outside the city would probably mean a typhoon ravaged area or the jungles where the military's hunting down terrorist rebels. Now would you really bring a Volvo there?

On moblogging and Saddam's execution

A few days before New Year, Iraq's state television aired an official video of Saddam Hussein's execution. But in ended in the part where the noose was placed over his head and tightened around his neck. No audio was heard.

But thanks to the camera phone of one of those who witnessed Saddam's death by hanging, millions of people around the world saw the what exactly happened: from Saddam's refusal to wear the black hood, to the expression of fear on his face, and the chanting that followed his hanging.(see video of Saddam's hanging)

To say that camera phones are a powerful tool for journalism would be an understatement.

Here in the Philippines, even the biggest tv networks equip their reporters with camera phones so they can take video or pictures of events. Traditional news crews are sometimes prohibited access or they simply miss out on the event, that a reporter's cellphone becomes the next best thing.

For non-traditional journalists,or citizen journalists, it can even be as simple as being in the right place at the right time. Amateur video taken from the cellphone of the destruction brought by a typhoon or a crime scene before the police and the media arrive have all been used by the bigger media in their news.

But while instant video of world class breaking news beamed directly to the web has yet to occur, the road to get there has begun. The technology is here. And citizens in general are working on it.

Because journalism, as the reading suggests, is not just about having the right tools. It's also about discerning what makes for a great news story. It's about checking facts. And having contacts who can put everything in context.

Moblogging? It's a work in progress.

Whose blogs do we trust?

“Not all bloggers do journalism. Many in fact don’t. But when they do, they should be ethical.”

But who decides what’s ethical anyway? Traditional journalism, after long years of practice, still does not have a uniform code of ethics applied across all borders. There are still a lot of gray areas. Most of the time journalists are made to answer for any false information they spread through libel suits against them and the network/ publication they represent. Or the audience simply stops trusting them.

But how about bloggers who practice journalism?

It’s been said that the internet is full of unreliable information. And blogs provide everyone a chance to publish information- whether true or false, good or bad. And so it doesn’t come as a surprise why many are still wary of this new medium. Because who can tell whose blogs are to be trusted?

In fact, even journalists who do blogs are asked why they do so. Is it an extension of their work? Or do they post things their papers/networks do not allow them to? If journalists do commentaries on their post, doesn’t it go against their goal of being neutral on issues?

Another thing said is that blogging is a powerful tool of freedom of expression for ordinary people. Some might say it’s not as big in the Philippines as in countries where the press is censored; the Philippines being one of the freest press in Asia. But for those whose freedom to report in this democracy has been questioned, blogging has also been a welcome medium.

But how powerful can a tool for the ordinary people be when only 11 million out of the 86 million Filipinos are internet users? That’s not even half of the population.

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)