MIDSAYAP, Cotabato Province (PIA) — Around 100 students from Notre Dame of Midsayap College (NDMC) in Cotabato recently gained skills in news writing, fact-checking, and mobile photography.
The learning event, organized in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Region 12, aims to raise awareness about the importance of combating disinformation and equipping them with essential media skills.
PIA Regional Head Fryan Abkilan believes that the collaboration between PIA and NDMC demonstrates a strong shared commitment to helping students enhance their knowledge and potential, significantly impacting their roles as truth tellers in the field of journalism.
PIA information officers led the conduct of the sessions and guided participants through the fundamentals of writing clear and accurate news stories, verifying information, and using mobile devices for effective photography.
Danica C. Adorias, a Communication Arts student, stated that the activity provided a valuable opportunity to learn about the tools and techniques necessary to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital world and combat disinformation.
“Very important po na mag-fact check sa panahon ngayon, syempre ngayon po na paparating pa ang eleksyon tapos maraming nagpo-proliferate na mosinformation, disinformation to divide people, I think on my personal note, very important po ang fact-checking para sa akin,” Adorias explained.
(It is crucial to fact-check in today’s age, especially with the upcoming elections and the widespread misinformation and disinformation that divide people. I believe that fact-checking is essential to me.)
She also emphasized that, as a future media practitioner, she will apply the knowledge and skills she acquired during the training.
“My role is syempre maging (of course to be) truth bearer, maging (to be a) beacon of truth and I think I can start on that by delivering veracity on my news stories,” she added.
Participants, during the training, agreed that the activity equipped future media professionals like them to be more discerning and innovative in their approach to delivering news stories. (CRM, PIA Region 12)
