Last Saturday, the online newsmagazine Pinoy Weekly and several other groups convened the Pinoy Citizen Journalism Seminar at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

Here is the presentation I shared with the participants:

Click here to download this presentation.

And some post-seminar notes:

Citizen journalism has long been put to good use in the Philippines, from as far back as the late 1800’s. It is now up to Filipinos to keep this tradition by using the internet and social media to be the media. Yes, to be the media.

Of course, those who wish to engage in citizen journalism must familiarize themselves and grasp the basics of journalism.

As far as tools are concerned, we can not ignore the growing use of social media by Filipinos. These social media — blogs, microblogging, social networking, podcasts, video, RSS, mobile internet — are gaining popularity especially in the cities and urban centers, and among the articulate middle class. The availability of these social media is a bane for citizen journalism because we have readily available media for citizen journalism efforts.

People’s organizations can and must seize social media to spread word about their advocacies and to reach through citizen journalism efforts the over 15 million Filipinos who now have access to the internet. Another view is that internet-based media complements the traditional forms long used by citizen journalists and people’s organizations.

To appreciate the expanding use of new, social media by Filipinos, refer to the following study by a global advertising company:

Below are more references on citizen journalism and new media:

Online references

  • Tools for citizen journalism
  • Tools for Citizen Journalists
  • Message in-a-box
  • Personal Media Learning Center
  • DIY Communications for Citizen Journalists
  • Mobile Internet Tools for the Citizen Journalist
  • Citizen journalism in practice

  • Rising Voices
  • List of citizen journ websites
  • Live or recorded broadcasts

  • Free Podcast Course
  • Make Your Own Internet Radio Station: ubroadcast
  • Live mobile video broadcasts

  • Qik
  • Flixwagon
  • Kyte
  • Livecast

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    This entry was posted on Monday, December 1st, 2008 at 9:42 pm and is filed under Blog Action, Blog Feature, Commentary, Journalism, Movements, Resources, Roundups, Specials, Tech News. You can leave a comment and follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

    2 Comments Leave a comment

    1. ginoray said:

      Dec. 5, 2008

      haay, sayang talaga at di ako naka-attend. sana sa mga susunod ay libre pa rin at libre na rin ang schedule namin.

      yo tonyo, congrats sa presentation!

    2. [...] Filipino internet users are increasing every year. Majority of those who use the internet are reading blogs. It is not surprising that politicians and political parties are now bringing their campaigns in the internet. But sad to say, there are few elected Filipino politicians who are blogging. [...]

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