Scholasticans participate in media watching

By Carmela S. Quidoles

Students from different colleges and universities, including Scholasticans, volunteered themselves to Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) in monitoring the media coverage of 2010 elections.

The media coverage monitoring started last February 9, official beginning of campaign period for national elections, and is expected to end until the day of the elections, May 10, 2010.

Eight scholasticans, all from Mass Communication Department, volunteered to this year’s election watch. Professor Ma. Aurora Lomibao, one of the head of the monitoring project, paved way in informing the students regarding the said project.

Zipporah Antonio, a newly graduate of Mass Communication minor in Development Communication at SSC, signed-up as a volunteer for CMFR’ s Media Watching.

“I want to be able to contribute to the upcoming elections, be more informed on what is happening to our society regarding the elections, as well as give information to the people, and immerse myself with volunteer works that will enhance my communication and journalism skills,” Antonio shared.

The youth’s contribution is crucial in keeping the integrity and veracity of the upcoming national elections. The media is a critical source of information and it is important to observe how they portray and cover the candidates, their campaigns, and the forthcoming election as well.

According to Antonio, it is in her own little way that she can help her fellow Filipinos make a wise decision in choosing the next leaders of the country. “I live up to the teachings that have been instilled in me by my professors and my Alma matter,” she added.

CMFR’s monitor of the News Media Coverage of the 2010 elections assesses how different media outfits, be it print or broadcast (e.g. GMA 7’s 24 Oras and ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol World), cover the campaigns and the preparations for the upcoming elections.

CMFR has been monitoring media coverage of Philippine elections since 1992 but this is the first time for CMFR to monitor community press coverage outside Metro Manila. Two of which are Cebu’s tabloids: Sun Star Cebu and Super Balita.