Archive for August 2013
On to the Future
"In this changing landscape, people crave for fast information. I mean, delivered fast and immediate and in real time news. I think that is the importance of blogging and online journalism in general."
- Iris Gonzales (Blogger)
The advantages of using the online medium are limitless. One can use their five senses while never getting tired of surfing the net. And with the ever shifting landscape, the online medium currently serves as a big conduit for change in the society.
In journalism's standpoint, through the internet, news can be delivered and spread swiftly and quickly. And primarily, it can cater to the new generation of new media users that spends most of their time wired and connected to the internet.
Take Singapore. With more than half of its population wired and connected, a new media revolution is taking place. Leading the way is the Strait Times, through its subsidiary RazorTV. While acknowledging the needs of the new generation and the apparent departure from the traditional media, the Strait Times launched its own online portal that primarily serves the interests of the wired and connected.
A host of RazorTV mentioned this during the documentary, "We can't be a dinosaur of the past. We have to live in the present and look out for the future" That is true, adapting a new media while not forgetting about the past is the way to go.
The online and traditional media can complement each other. While traditional media today serves as the primary source of information, blogging and the internet usually serve as a venue for alternative stories that do not make it to the mainstream media. And in the future, while the roles could be reversed, the same concept can be carried over.
However, on the other side of the coin, there are still those places which do not have access to the internet. In turn, the advantages of online journalism cannot be felt on a large scale. But on the bright side, efforts on these places are slowly taking place.
In Cambodia, while lagging behind its ASEAN neighbors, the ground work for online journalism is already, but slowly, starting. Common hindrance to the initiative lies on the prohibitive cost of internet access, equipment and electricity. But nevertheless, slowly but surely, Cambodia will catch up to the rest of Asia, their economy permits.
Others refer the use of the internet as a double edged sword. While news and information can be quickly spread, their accuracy can be questioned. However, according to a representative of RazorTV, questioning the accuracy of the news is not a problem because the journalistic values of online journalists are the same with their print counterparts. This means that potentially, fast and accurate pieces of information are going up for grabs in the future. While the threat of inaccuracies remain, this would not be much of a problem once a more concrete guidelines can be set-up for news websites.
Another hindrance for online journalism, in all countries, is cost. Online journalism's currently available business models are not sustainable, as of yet. However, news portals are getting ways on how to survive without compromising their independence. Use of subscription-based models are currently rising. The New York Times are subscription based and as well as Malaysiakini.com.
Others refer the use of the internet as a double edged sword. While news and information can be quickly spread, their accuracy can be questioned. However, according to a representative of RazorTV, questioning the accuracy of the news is not a problem because the journalistic values of online journalists are the same with their print counterparts. This means that potentially, fast and accurate pieces of information are going up for grabs in the future. While the threat of inaccuracies remain, this would not be much of a problem once a more concrete guidelines can be set-up for news websites.
Another hindrance for online journalism, in all countries, is cost. Online journalism's currently available business models are not sustainable, as of yet. However, news portals are getting ways on how to survive without compromising their independence. Use of subscription-based models are currently rising. The New York Times are subscription based and as well as Malaysiakini.com.
With more venues to express, democracy will truly flourish. As said by one of the interviewees, "The more information you have, the more democratic you can get." Truly, the online media can surely provide that.
Social Media: Changing our Future
5:00 a.m.
It's still 5:00 in the morning but my eyes are wide awake now. Damn, all those notifications has kept me all night. I'd better turn all these annoying notifications off, or they and my editor will bug me to death for the rest of the day.
Time to take a bath now, I guess.
5:45 a.m.
I was taking a bath when I heard an explosion down the street. When I used the zoom function of my digital eye, I hurriedly took some snapshots of the incident. Later, when I analyzed them, I saw some shadowy figures roaming around.
Probably, I'll look into them with some of my colleagues later.
6:30 a.m.
I'm on my way to work now and my device keeps on ringing. One peculiar thing though, that explosion across the street from where I lived just got reported, first in the net. But it seems that they still don't have any lead on the incident. The police said through their various accounts to stay alert for more possible eventuality.
I'll keep myself posted on this.
7:00 a.m.
I just got inside the tube when suddenly, the coach in front of us has burst into flames. Screams for help filled the air. Then, fire has engulfed the coach I was on. it ravaged the coach quickly, unfortunately killing off dozens of people.
Due to instincts, I grabbed an old lady and covered her for the next few minutes. Scalding heat, however, gripped my arm when I tried to run to the emergency exit.
7:12 a.m.
The train is violently shaking. I fear that we will get ourselves thrown if ever the train got derailed.
7:15 a.m.
The old lady I was holding on just died of a heart attack. Soon, probably it will be me who's going to die.
7:16 a.m.
The sensation of flying filled me. I guess you can say that everything is going to end now.
Breaking News: A bomb has gone off inside the Metro's subway line. Authorities say that at least one train exploded, instantly killing off at least a hundred passengers. Amateur shots of the explosion was caught on camera by one of our correspondents who currently is now inside the train.
News Update: The train crashed just outside Quezon Ave. cor. EDSA. Medical personnel are now rushing to the scene.
Breaking News: Our correspondent is now successfully recovered from the wreck. We are now going to ask him some questions.
"Sir, how did you survive that explosion? How many survived? What happened?'
"I don't know, I don't know."
"The incident was recorded through your digital device, was it not?"
"Yes, I think it was. I think I streamed the whole event live through my social site."
"Thank you, sir. back to you, studio."
News Update: The series of explosion now called, " xx Day Bombings", was successfully covered by our brave correspondent, Mr. xxx. Through his quick reaction, everything was streamed live and thankfully, it has given the police a crack on the suspect.
Good job!
---
And, I guess you read all through that. Thank you for reading that crappy story.
Anyway, I think that will be the face of journalism and social media in the future. A fast paced, information savvy environment where everything is connected, and everything can be done in mere seconds.
Amazing isn't it?
Let's backtrack a little bit. Let's look through the co-development of news and social media.
Definitely, journalism was here even before the dawn of the internet. News and information was transmitted through different media like, newspapers, televisions and of course radio.
However, the flow of information is only one-way, only the producers get to transmit their news and information to the audience. There was rarely an interaction between the two.
But there were hardly any difference to the style of journalism then.
What changed when social media came into the picture was simply the transmission of information from the produce to the intended audience. And this marked the difference between the traditional media and the social media.
Instant transmission plus its ability to get shared quickly means the story can get viral in a matter of minutes. That is the advantage of social media over the other traditional media forms.
Interaction among its audience is another factor. Humans are social animals, right? Therefore, through discussions, a viewpoint on one issue to the next can be heard from everyone who joined in the fun.
That's why fora and Facebook and Twitter plug-ins on news sites got so popular.
Personalizing news and articles according to one's interest got so popular due to social media. Now, news articles are being produced for specific markets. This is quite different to the usual mass-oriented view of journalism.
But what's the catch?
Instant transmission means a rise in the frequency of mistakes. Rivalry and competition among news organizations tighten, with everyone wanting to have an exclusive - an elusive scoop that can move mountains, now worlds apart.
Just like what happened with the Rappler and its reporter, Lean Santos. With his desire to have a story, he overlooked his journalistic principles and committed a taboo in the industry. he plagiarized a story from Interaksyon's reporter, Ben Arnold de Vera.
But still, thanks to social media, his wrongdoings got scrutinized which forced Rappler to apologize.
Sensationalism probably is probably another bad offset of having fast transmission of information.
With the desire to sell, we now feast on everything, no matter how trivial just like Claudine, ehem, Raymart, and Tulfo's fight in NAIA, or just like the Amalayer video.
Truthfully, this videos or events are not really of national importance but just because they'll sell, they get to the limelight, thanks to social media.
But what shall we do?
We now hold a great responsibility in curating this wonderful technology for journalism's future development/
We should not let social media get ahead of us, but rather, we should control it and use it for the betterment of journalism.
Sintaz: A Wire that Binds Dreams
A meeting of entrepreneurs does not mean that only the rich and "sosi' can get a chance to present their ideas and products to the market.
In fact, Juan Great Leap (JGL) has changed that notion.
Last July 27, an event called "Open Coffee" was arranged by JGL to be a venue for an exchange of ideas and market strategies for all entrepreneurs. Everybody was welcome to join the fun.
Well, truthfully, I arrived a little too late at the party. So, I was not able to grasp all the goodies Open Coffee has to offer. Either way, what I heard and saw was enough for me to write this story.
All of the ideas that were presented during the pitch, of course, are all good. But, as said by someone (by me, LOL), not everything that was said are amazing.
During the mixer, I came across an old guy who at first, did not look like he was at the right place.
Why, you ask? Well, he was a skinny man who had a pasiking - a traditional finely weaved abaca - as his bag. He did not the least look like the rest of the participants who looked like elites.
Either way, he's worth cannot be judged by his looks alone. Didn't you know that he's a member of the Investors Society of the Philippines?
Clemente M. Cobaria is a full fledged inventor who developed Sintaz. At 62, he alone manages his business, from marketing to product development.
Sintaz is a versatile product that can be used as a decoration or as a toy. It is made from all natural fibers like Abaca and Rattan. As a multi-purpose product, he has made a variety of designs for people of all classes, politicians included.
Sintaz and Mr. Cobaria were already featured in Umagang Kay Ganda and a variety of shows. However, due to a lack of financial support, his business fails to take-off every time.
Nevertheless, Mr. Cobaria considers his product an art.
"This is an art medium - novel signage, novel art medium," he told me.
Yes, what he does is truly an art on its own. Who cannot even consider it an art when he made an illustration of my name using his Sintaz in under five minutes?
However without support, he fears that his work will die without an heir. That's why every now and then, he tries to market the Sintaz in any way that he can. But it doesn't always work out so well.
Currently, he looks in to schools as a potential partner in spreading his ideas.
"Gusto ko maturuan ang maraming tao para kung sakali, kahit wala na ako, nandito pa din ito," while referring to the Sintaz.
Now, he sees JGL as another venue where he can use to spread his product and advocacy.
On the other hand, I think that all of us should support this kind of an endeavor. We should not let talents like Mr. Cobaria
In fact, Juan Great Leap (JGL) has changed that notion.
Last July 27, an event called "Open Coffee" was arranged by JGL to be a venue for an exchange of ideas and market strategies for all entrepreneurs. Everybody was welcome to join the fun.
Well, truthfully, I arrived a little too late at the party. So, I was not able to grasp all the goodies Open Coffee has to offer. Either way, what I heard and saw was enough for me to write this story.
All of the ideas that were presented during the pitch, of course, are all good. But, as said by someone (by me, LOL), not everything that was said are amazing.
During the mixer, I came across an old guy who at first, did not look like he was at the right place.
Why, you ask? Well, he was a skinny man who had a pasiking - a traditional finely weaved abaca - as his bag. He did not the least look like the rest of the participants who looked like elites.
Either way, he's worth cannot be judged by his looks alone. Didn't you know that he's a member of the Investors Society of the Philippines?
Clemente M. Cobaria is a full fledged inventor who developed Sintaz. At 62, he alone manages his business, from marketing to product development.
Sintaz is a versatile product that can be used as a decoration or as a toy. It is made from all natural fibers like Abaca and Rattan. As a multi-purpose product, he has made a variety of designs for people of all classes, politicians included.
Sintaz and Mr. Cobaria were already featured in Umagang Kay Ganda and a variety of shows. However, due to a lack of financial support, his business fails to take-off every time.
Nevertheless, Mr. Cobaria considers his product an art.
"This is an art medium - novel signage, novel art medium," he told me.
Yes, what he does is truly an art on its own. Who cannot even consider it an art when he made an illustration of my name using his Sintaz in under five minutes?
Currently, he looks in to schools as a potential partner in spreading his ideas.
"Gusto ko maturuan ang maraming tao para kung sakali, kahit wala na ako, nandito pa din ito," while referring to the Sintaz.
Now, he sees JGL as another venue where he can use to spread his product and advocacy.
On the other hand, I think that all of us should support this kind of an endeavor. We should not let talents like Mr. Cobaria
