by Nimfa Estrellado Straight Talk September 28, 2022 Pia Hontiveros's reporting during Typhoon Rosing in 1995, when she tied herself to ...
Straight Talk
September 28, 2022
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| Pia Hontiveros's reporting during Typhoon Rosing in 1995, when she tied herself to a pole, is currently trending. (Photo from ANC FB Page) |
"I've said this over and over again — you prefer vloggers and influencers now for your so-called unbiased content, but on our worst days as a nation, it's the journalists who will show up. Remember that." - Lian Buan
I read somewhere that the news is still news no matter who reports it, whether a journalist or a vlogger. It all depends on how you report it. What?
Please tell me what news channel that is. If it's a YouTube vlogger who claims to be a news reporter, I'll go insane. Please refrain from believing and spreading false claims. I maintain an open mind and am aware of the power of misinformation. I have an open mind and understand that disinformation is strong.
To clarify, journalists and vloggers are not the same thing. Journalists work to keep the public informed of any breaking news. Vloggers can choose what type of content they want to create.
Others have stated that journalism is a paid profession and that news vlogging is volunteer work. This is false. You seem to have a basic misconception about journalism.
When you became a journalist, you chose this path. You make the same decision to become a vlogger that you would make for any other profession. Vloggers vlog in order to make money and be compensated for their efforts. They intend to keep their independence by not acquiring a news or media organization.
During COVID-19 pandemic, a mass extinction incident was reported on by both the national and local news.
Some newspapers stopped printing editions due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and radio stations were forced to close. For some news and media owners, the pandemic was the final straw. After overcoming the loss of classifieds and switching to Facebook and Google, they are now facing their most difficult challenge in pandemic.
Despite widespread fear of a pandemic, we as journalists continue to report the facts. We go out there and cover the news with caution. Journalists have the right not to report during disasters or pandemics, but they do so for the sake of public service, not personal profit.
Journalists could tell intimate, real-life personal stories, or the cycle of a pandemic or disaster, or the latest rumblings in far-flung municipalities that would never be heard or read elsewhere.
But, more importantly, Facebook does not record the ups and downs of individuals and their families. Journalism, in my opinion, includes our history as well as daily stories about our people and personalities.
People had to go online to find the information now. However, not all of them can. For many locals, reading the Sentinel Times print edition or listening to the Sentinel Times on Air radio program was a lifelong ritual, especially for older readers who are less comfortable with online news.
The elderly used to walk to the newspaper stand in the morning. They met someone at the newsagent and made a social connection along the way. We've been doing it for so long that it's become a part of their lives.
So much of the town's social foundation would be lost if there was no physical newspaper or radio program.
Journalists and locals have been battling to fill the void left by news organizations going dark around the world.
Everyone agrees that journalism is important in general.
We've received a lot of feedback from readers about how much they miss the local newspaper and how important it is in a rural community, but they've also embraced the online newspaper in digital format.
During the pandemic, the newspaper went on hiatus, but online journalists expanded their skills, engaging the audience through video and social media. Regardless, we continue to expand our online presence.
Newspapers and radio stations resumed operations, despite a lack of ad revenue. Journalists continue to do their jobs.
It's no longer unusual to see a reporter impaled on live television in the middle of a #hurricane, #typhoon, or other natural disaster; many have done it before, and they're still doing it now.
Pia Honteveros tied herself to a flagpole while reporting amidst a typhoon in 1995.
Some newscasters have even been labeled "stupid" for broadcasting during a natural disaster or pandemic.
While scrolling through social media, where I mostly follow journalists who share other journalists' posts, I couldn't help but wonder: Do any journalists still enjoy their jobs, despite the fact that many people denigrate them? I mean, really. I can't imagine social media inspiring young journalists because the community appears to be frustrated.
My journalism career has required a great deal of sacrifice on my part. To make a name for myself in journalism, I went into debt and depression, and I'd advise any young journalist to expect to make sacrifices. But was it worth it? I think so.
I believe that part of my stress in journalism stemmed from how much I enjoyed it, which is why I doubt I would pursue another career without making some difficult sacrifices, regardless of how much better it paid.
I'm hoping that media morale improves. Those of us who have made a career out of it should appreciate how fortunate we are to be able to do so.
We should just remind these vloggers or influencers that if your work isn't published in print or broadcast on television or radio, you're just glorifying yourself with the title "Journalist." Even if you're just a news commentator, vlogger, blogger, or YouTuber, you should be damn proud of what you do, did, and truly are.
I don't have anything against vloggers. What I don't like about some of them is that they always say "hindi ito pinapakita ng mainstream media" despite the fact that the footage they're posting is from GMA News and ABS-CBN.
Let's cut the crap. Don't compare a vlogger to a reputed journalist, please. I love vloggers, but comparing them to journalists is an insult.
As a journalist, I've learned that it takes bravery, dedication, and sacrifice to be a journalist who brings us the truth, which makes them valuable.
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