Truth-telling as Advocacy: From the Collegian pages to community journalism
Learning that journalism's "first obligation is to the truth" seemed easy and logical for a freshman. My first lessons as a BA Broadcast Communication major focused on the value of facts and verification in reporting. Kovach and Rosenstiel's words were a…
Learning that journalism's "first obligation is to the truth" seemed easy and logical for a freshman. My first lessons as a BA Broadcast Communication major focused on the value of facts and verification in reporting. Kovach and Rosenstiel's words were a key tenet in their book, The Elements of Journalism, one of our basic texts in the College of Mass Communication; and I soon learned that they were more complex than I had initially thought.
I had been practicing campus journalism since grade school, making me confident that applying for a stint in the Philippine Collegian (Kulê) would be a breeze. By the end of my first week in UP, I was already climbing the stairs of Vinzons Hall without losing my breath, going up to the infamous Room 401, where the Collegian office was. I passed the exam and was soon a cub reporter in the Features Section.
"Easy," I told myself complacently.
Chance encounters
The first story my editor assigned me to was to find out whether there was a syndicate behind the sampaguita vendors plying the campus streets and nearby main avenues. Seeking to ace the assignment, I walked from University Avenue to Kamuning, asking sampaguita vendors where they were sourcing their wares.
The author interviews a farmer who is experiencing threats of land grabbing in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Photo from Marjohara Tucay.
"Nanay ko po ang gumagawa," a girl I met along Agham Road told me. Heading there, I realized the sampaguita garlands were not products of a nefarious syndicate, but of a community fighting for survival. That was my first encounter with the struggle of Sitio San Roque, a community in the heart of Quezon City under the constant threat of being wiped away by big-ticket development. Right now, that same community remains, undaunted, persistent, yet smaller in size, as tall condominiums and malls have already carved out their lion's share of the land area.
After learning that the sampaguita garland business was not an illicit trade, I told myself, "This won't work. This wasn't the assignment." I persevered. Walking along Agham Road, I caught sight of small kids getting on board a jeepney, with rags in their hands, polishing commuters' shoes clean.
"Kailangan namin ng pambaon, Kuya," a child explained to me. And that became my first Collegian article, the story of the shoe shiners of Agham Road and the threat of demolition looming over their families' heads.
Thus, my collegiate journalistic journey began. Months into the rigorous weekly presswork, I realized that to understand Kovach and Rosenstiel's point, I needed to fully digest the second half of that eponymous line, that journalism's first loyalty is to the citizens. The Collegian reporting tradition enabled me to realize that we need to adhere to facts; but what facets of the multiple versions of the truth should we highlight? The answer—the version that will empower the marginalized, as we recognize that journalism can help those being silenced to be heard and included in the narrative.
During my time in Kulê, I encountered a kaleidoscope of experiences that shaped my understanding of the journalistic profession. Interviewing figures of authority and influence, such as retired Major General Jovito Palparan, was a deep dive into the complexities of power and accountability. These interviews, tense and fraught with unspoken undercurrents, taught me the importance of probing beneath the surface and uncovering the layers hidden behind the veneer of public personas.
Yet the most impactful and profound stories unfolded beyond the university walls, in the streets, the haciendas, the picket lines. Covering the plight of those affected by demolitions, the struggles of laborers, and the fervor of protests, I came to see that these stories were not mere journalistic assignments, but profound insights into humankind's capacity to foment change.
A voice for communities
After leaving UP, I spent years working with youth and advocacy groups, including Kabataan Partylist in Congress, before making the shift to community journalism. Returning from a consultation with youth groups in Mindanao in January 2017, I had a near fatal car accident that left me in a coma for a few days. The convalescence period for that accident took over a year as well as four surgeries.
When I was stable enough to move around, I volunteered for Altermidya Network, the country's broadest network of regional alternative media outfits and community journalists. Being an Altermidya journalist was the balance I was latently looking for; it allowed me to unabashedly continue my activist pursuits, while being able to cover and write stories that mattered.
Unsurprisingly, Altermidya was founded in UP in October 2014, with the late College of Mass Communications Dean Luis Teodoro serving as its founding chairperson. The verdant campus that opened the world of journalism for me also happened to be the birthplace of the network I now serve.
To distribute the news reports they produce, Altermidya journalists go to communities who are usually deprived of access to relevant news and information. Pictured is one of the regular community screenings in a fire-hit community in Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City. Photo from Marjohara Tucay
Transitioning to being a community journalist was like venturing into a broader landscape, where the stories were more diverse and the stakes even higher. Here, the lessons from Kulê took on new dimensions as I navigated the complexities of national and community narratives.
The rigorous research and critical analysis that were the backbone of my work at the Collegian became even more crucial at Altermidya. Tackling national issues, exploring the intricacies of policy, and giving voice to marginalized communities required a commitment to thoroughness and accuracy. Each article was crafted as a report and a comprehensive analysis, offering insights and perspectives that went beneath the surface.
Reflecting on this journey from the Collegian to Altermidya, I see a continuous thread of growth and evolution. Kulê was not just a starting point but a foundational experience that shaped my worldview and approach to journalism. It instilled in me a profound respect for the power of words and a deep understanding of the responsibility of wielding them.
Photo of an Altermidya screening in Quezon province during the 2023 Tulaog Festival, for members of the Dumagat community. Photo from Marjohara Tucay.
As I continue to navigate the ever-changing landscape of journalism, the teachings and experiences from my Kulê days resonate in every story I craft for Altermidya. These experiences have reinforced my belief that journalism is more than a profession; it is a commitment to storytelling that seeks to inform, engage, and, most importantly, connect. In every narrative I weave, I strive to capture the essence of the human experience—the struggles, triumphs, and unyielding spirit that defines our collective journey.
My journey from the Philippine Collegian to Altermidya is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling. It underscores the belief that every story matters and that each narrative is crucial to the larger societal mosaic. This journey has been a tapestry of experiences, each thread representing a story, a lesson, or a moment of insight.
From the vibrant campus of UP to the diverse communities served by Altermidya, my path has been one of continuous learning and adaptation. It has been a journey of discovering the many stories that make up our world and finding the best ways to tell them. As I move forward, I commit to helping hone a future where journalism continues to be a force for good, a medium for truth, and a bridge that enables the marginalized to be visible in the daily narrative.
Marjohara Tucay is a community journalist and news producer for Altermidya Network, a coalition of national and regional alternative media outfits and community journalists in the Philippines.
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