CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — Multi-award-winning professional print journalist of The Philippine Star Leo O. Laparan II cites the challenges of the journalists in the fight against fake news, emphasizing their critical role in delivering accurate information to the public.
Laparan was the guest in the “Sulong Southern Tagalog” program of the Philippine Information Agency and Radyo Pilipinas, February 21, in observance of the National Press Week.
When asked about the impact of fake news on the credibility of the media, he explained that the term “fake news” should be replaced with “false information.”
“Ayokong ginagamit ang term na fake news because kapag sinabing news ay dapat totoo lang. So I believe the term ‘fake news’ should not be used, but rather ‘false information.’ Unfortunately marami sa mga Pilipino ngayon ang madaling maakit o mapaniwala ng mga false information. Maybe because easily accessible na ang information. Hindi na mahilig ang mga tao ngayon na mag-access ng legitimate sources. Isang malaking challenge sa atin ngayon as journalist ang labanan ang fake news,” he explained.
Laparan also shared his observations about the changing landscape of media explaining the “paradigm shift” noting that the circulation of print media is decreasing.
“Ramdam namin ang paradigm shift, sa obserbasyon ko, wala na nagbabasa ng dyaryo, wala na kong makitang dyaryo sa paligid. Pero para sa akin, nandoon ang reality na humina ang print, sa amin kumokonti ang cumicirculate na print around the Philippines kasi karamihan sa media consumers ngayon gadget ang inaaccess. Naisama na rin doon yung pagkuha ng information sa iisang gadget lang na hawak eh kaya nagkaroon ng paradigm shift because of this technology,” he said.
He assured that the print media will not completely disappear because not all areas in the Philippines have internet access, and not everyone is familiar with technology.
On how social media has changed journalism, Laparan said that currently, print publications had to adapt to the transition from disseminating information from print to digital media.
“Nakita ko kasi yung transition as journalist eh. Noon, yung kasagsagan ng pakapalan ng dyaryo pero habang umuusad ang taon going into popularity of social media as a platform so currently, sumasabay din kami [na] dapat meron na kaming separate social media platform…may online version ang The Philippine Star and other publications. Kasi kung mag ii-stick lang tayo sa traditional ay baka hindi magsurvive, so nakikita ko yung pagbabago yung ating media consumption lalo na mas maraming technology ang nadi-discover or umuusbong,” he explained.
Laparan shared valuable advice for aspiring journalists looking to make their mark in the field, highlighting the importance of continuous learning, practice, and guidance in the journey to becoming a skilled journalist.
“Unang una magbasa. It is through reading that we will be informed, makakakuha tayo ng impormasyong mahalaga na makakatulong sa ating buhay. Second, practice makes perfect. Magsulat ng magsulat… at makinig sa mga mentor kung ano yung makakatulong na tips para sa kanila para sa pag-hone ng kanilang skills lalo na sa news writing. So read, practice and listen.” he stressed. (AS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
