Note: The content is purely subjective and some objective.
The semester started and I had my Saturday classes in Journalism. Of course, News Writing is given as we have been submitting daily news reports on my first semester last year. And I learned to avoid editorializing. Second, be wary to English and Filipino grammar.
In my opinion, news is information and critical reader’s avenue. It is widely used to mass communication as a social change. It is everyone’s duty to read news by mere thinking whether it is slanted, fair or objective. News is mainly focusing whether we believe in details and perhaps our judgment as a good grammarian, social activist, and teacher in disguise or believer of common good. In reading news, there is no need to be a rocket scientist, we only need to understand. And ask yourself; Am I good citizen of this country?
I don’t need to elaborate further about news writing, it is merely an art of every Journalism students - soon-to-be journalist, news writers and news editors. News is intended to its news readers, whether they like it or not. It is a publicity of political, social, economic, lifestyle, health, world, provincial and sports. Whether good or bad – it is still publicity.
OF MY UNDERSTANDING IN ADVERTISING
Advertising is simply the life blood of tri-media organization – TV, Radio and Print Media. Without advertising, there would be no money to generate news, TV programs and radio programming – the media network and organization will die in Leukemia. It is crucial to prevent down sizing, right sizing and declaration of bankruptcy on behalf of the said Media Economics.
On the other hand, this part of Journalism should be taken good accountability. In terms of ethical influence to the naked eyes of morally upright people; and create an avenue for critical thinking and socially-acceptable creativity.
This is an art of creating publicity for the sake of sales and profit making mechanism for manufacturing, agricultural, governmental and charitable purposes. You don’t need to read books and be an expert to learn more about Advertising. Everywhere you go is the vital creation of human mind and its product – Advertisements. Even small scale, medium scale and large scale businesses use this as a tool for better income.
However, journalists should be wary in using this properly. It is not intended to create profit-focus in tri-media organizations. Hence, it should be balance through responsible journalism and advertising.
Journalists should not promote a product through advertisements. It will cause conflict of interest on his or her job as deliverer of relevant objective, social information.
Journalists should focus on fairness using the utilitarian principle and not her self-vested interest.
Journalists should learn that advertising must be ethical and indiscriminate to its purpose of publicity.
Journalists are a catalyst of social change and not a capitalist of self-change.
Journalist should serve the people through information and public interest.
In reality, this is sometimes unmet. The culture of impunity and hecklers will always be around. Our country is democratic in a sense that intellectual, moral and social integrity is evolving.
OF PHOTO JOURNALISM
Pictures speak a thousand words. In line with Journalism, photos are the visual imagery of our real society. Why not see a lady nude? Why not see a man naked? Why not see bloody death in pictures? Perhaps, it is inhuman. I am not a photo journalist and even a journalist yet. However, humanism, a system of thought based on the interests and ideals of human kind – should be taken in consideration.
No one likes to be taken pictures without his or her consent. No one likes to take pictures in disgust to his human obligation – which is respect. I won’t go further for this is not my forte as a Journalism student. In a nutshell, photos must be taken with ethical consent.
OF MY SUMMARY TO THIS SEMESTER
Journalism is an art of human realism. Whether you hate media or not – Press Freedom will always prevail. Just like gossiping, they may be judged as true or not. It is still publicity. The only advantage I may have is learning therapeutic communication in Nursing, Communication theories and principles in Broadcast Communication and Journalism as a wary communication in writing and letting your readers think like geniuses.
I may have a diploma as for social mobility. However, my education is platinum learning from my teachers, mentors and trainers. I forgot experience as the best educator as I walk through the socially-complicated world.
Communication is crucial. It can either destroy a peaceful world. So, everyone should take hold the ropes of their communication tools. It is a responsibility, accountability and liability once they don’t use it well.