The digital age is transforming the landscape of journalism, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and daunting challenges.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, young journalists are faced with the task of navigating a complex media ecosystem characterized by rapid technological advancements, evolving consumer habits, and the constant threat of misinformation and disinformation.
To address these challenges, Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) campus journalists and communication students gathered at Teatro Ibabawnon on November 19, 2024, for a comprehensive mobile journalism workshop titled “Navigating the Digital Media: A Mobile Journalism Workshop in the Age of Disinformation.”
The seminar aimed to equip the next generation of journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the digital age.
Marcos Glino Borac Jr., editor-in-chief of The Catalyst, Eastern Samar State University main campus’s official student publication, underscored the necessity to combat misinformation and disinformation, especially in the digital age where artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI makes it easier for anyone to produce massive fake contents quickly.
“This event is very crucial sa mga campus journalist, in this era kasi na digitalization, AI is also rampant, and mostly yung giver ng information rely on AI. This event is very important kasi binibigyan diin nila kung ano ang nakakapagbigay ng misinformation, and our role as campus journalist is to realign that disinformation na para maging reliable yung mga sources nating ginagamit,” Borac stated.
Another participant, Jerwin Delcallar, a first year Bachelor of Arts in Communication student from ESSU Guiuan campus and correspondent of K5 News FM Tacloban, took the event as a learning opportunity to upskill himself as a communication student and a news correspondent.
Eastern Samar Board Member RV Evardone, representing Governor Ben Evardone, also emphasized the importance of the event in equipping campus journalists with the knowledge and skills to combat disinformation and foster truthfulness in the dissemination of information.
“Alam naman natin ngayon na rampant yung misinformation, disinformation so at least we’re equipping the students, the campus journalists na mashare nila yung pag-aaralan nila. We have speakers, experts in the field of media kasama yung mga taga GMA, ABS-CBN, and photojournalists. At isa itong magandang seminar ngayon para sa mga estudyante,” Evardone noted.
The one-day event saw renowned industry experts, including Digital Journalist and Harvard Neiman Fellow Joemark Tordecilla and ABS-CBN News’ Head of News Gathering Digital Anjo Bagaoisan, share their expertise on a range of topics, from mobile journalism techniques to ethical considerations and fact-checking strategies.
Participants also delved into the world of visual storytelling, learning about mobile photojournalism from PCP Chairperson Jimmy Domingo and gaining insights into visual journalism from seasoned journalist, Atom Araullo.
The event was an initiative of Gov. Ben Evardone, who was a journalist himself prior to his political career, in partnership with Eastern Samar State University and the Photojournalist Center of the Philippines. (SEJ, PIA Eastern Samar)
