Tag: journalism

Vice Ganda interview of PNoy is proof of Filipinos’ obsession with celebrities

January 7, 2015January 23, 2022 Ilda 87 Comments

If the saying is true that the character of the leader of a nation reflects the character of the people, then the character of Philippine President Benigno Simeon (BS) Aquino reflects the character of the Filipino people. BS Aquino’s recent guest appearance in the popular television show Gandang Gabi Vice gave everyone a clue about…

Culture, Government, Media, Politics, Society

The role of social media ‘activism’ in the Philippines’ next presidential elections

November 26, 2014 benign0 4 Comments

That is a hard question the Philippines’ would-be social media “activists” and “citizen journalists” need to ask themselves again. The current administration of Philippine President Benigno Simeon ‘BS’ Aquino III has been used as a backdrop to the purported rise of these new media organisations and “movements” as voices to contend with in the country’s…

Civics, Lifestyle, Media, Politics, Tech Talk

#TheNakedTruth fiasco pulls Bench into the mud and #Rappler along with it!

September 24, 2014 benign0 5 Comments

In its “social media for social good” powow last week, self-described “social news network” Rappler.com furthers the ideal of “women leaders using tech to make an impact on people’s lives” and posed the question “How can all of us, men and women, woman up?” The idea there being that the more traditional notion of “manning…

Glitz and Glamour, Lifestyle, Media

Why do we like circulating photos of dead victims of violent crime?

September 7, 2014 Kate Natividad 24 Comments

Nobody will disagree that there are a lot of heinous crimes being perpetrated today, and a lot of it is going unpunished. Recently I saw a photo of the latest murder-rape victim making the rounds on Facebook. The photo depicted what the poster claimed to be “Sarah”, a 14-15 year old girl who was allegedly…

Crime, Media, Society

Understanding the Media

June 30, 2014 BenK 8 Comments

For about a month now, I have had what I will call “an expanded role” beyond the column I write three times a week at The Manila Times. The specifics of that arrangement are not for public consumption (and would probably be completely boring to anyone who doesn’t happen to be in the newspaper business,…

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Media

Will global ‘outrage’ over jailed Al Jazeera journalists turn into CONCRETE action?

June 24, 2014 benign0 7 Comments

Global outrage has erupted over the harsh prison sentences meted out to Al Jazeera journalists Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy, and Baher Mohamed last Monday. The three were successfully prosecuted in an Egyptian court for allegedly “undermining” Egypt’s “national security” supposedly by supplying false news and aiding terrorist movements deemed threats to the Egyptian government. Being…

Media, Politics, Religion, Society

Whistleblower app SecureDrop takes investigative journalism to the 21st Century!

June 23, 2014 benign0 2 Comments

A system that allows anonymous informants to send electronic documents without fear of disclosure developed by the late Internet ‘hacktivist’ Aaron Swartz and investigative journalist Kevin Poulsen back in 2011 is gaining traction amongst big-name international media organisations. Originally named DeadDrop, management and rollout of the system has since been taken over by the Freedom…

Media, Tech Talk

How idiopreneurship can stem the flow of talented people abandoning the Philippines

June 6, 2014June 6, 2014 benign0 24 Comments

Much has been said about how the appalling work conditions, low pay, and stifling congestion in the Philippines is driving away its most talented workers. But what seems to be the biggest put-off for the greatest Filipino minds is the intellectual bankruptcy that prevails in Philippine society. Much has also been said about technology being…

Crime, Development, Education, Government, Media, Politics, Society, Technology