PROJECT UPDATES
ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, Davao del Norte (MindaNews / 05 March) — In a field that trains its practitioners to disappear into their stories — to become ghosts —
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 6 February) — The Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MIJ), the training and media development arm of MindaNews, convened leading experts in climate science, environmental advocacy and
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 July) — Twelve journalists from various parts of Mindanao gathered in Davao City last week co-create a localized media safety curriculum that would help journalists
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 10 July) — Ten journalists from across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have been selected as the first recipients of the Patricio P. Diaz Fellowship Program, an initiative
COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 30 January) – Nineteen journalists from major media outlets across Metro Manila and Luzon recently participated in the second edition of Inside BARMM: A Walk Through the
A total of 19 journalists from the Visayas participated in an intensive three-day immersion program entitled “Inside BARMM: A Walk Through the Bangsamoro Region” from November 19-22, 2024. During the
STORIES FROM THE COHORT
Bea Gatmaytan of MindaNews and David Ezra Francisquete of SunStar Davao MATI CITY (MindaNews / 01 May) — Rows of mangrove seedlings line parts of Guang-Guang Mangrove Park and Nursery
By Jorge Golle of The Mindanao Sentinel MATI CITY (MindaNews / 30 April) — In Dahican Beach, the day begins with the sound of waves folding into shore—steady, patient, almost
TAGUM CITY (MindaNews / 31 March) — I never expected that a gathering such as the recently concluded Bayi-lines Safety Awareness and Trauma Healing Retreat could ever happen. Journalists need
DAKBAYAN SA DIPOLOG (Marso 31) — Puno kami sa kadasig ug kalipay ang gibati namu sa 15 ka women Mindanawon journalists kinsa partisipante sa BAYI-LINES, A Safety Awareness and Trauma
ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 30 March) — From a very young age, I learned that being physically able is not enough, you need to be strong to do many things
In the face of perceived threats, especially from entities that loom many times larger and more powerful than myself, I don’t fight or take flight. Instead, I fawn. It was
Reporting the 1st BARMM Parliamentary Elections
The first BARMM parliamentary election represents a
significant moment in the region’s history, with the
potential to shape the future of governance and peace in
Mindanao. Accurate, fair, and informed reporting is crucial
to ensuring that the public is well-informed and that the
electoral process is transparent and credible.
This course is designed to prepare journalists for covering the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral framework, the political landscape of BARMM, and the historical context leading up to this landmark election.
This course is designed to prepare journalists for covering the first parliamentary election in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the electoral framework, the political landscape of BARMM, and the historical context leading up to this landmark election.
Climate Change & Post-Disaster Accountability Reporting
Mindanao is most vulnerable to the impacts of climate
change, facing frequent natural disasters such as
typhoons, floods, and landslides. The role of the media in
the region is critical—not only in informing the public but
also in ensuring that those in power are held accountable
for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery
efforts. This course is designed to empower journalists
with the tools and understanding needed to report on
these pressing issues with depth and accuracy.
This course provides journalists with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively report on climate change and post-disaster scenarios in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Participants will learn to navigate the complexities of environmental reporting, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by communities in these regions.
This course provides journalists with the essential skills and knowledge to effectively report on climate change and post-disaster scenarios in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Participants will learn to navigate the complexities of environmental reporting, with a focus on the unique challenges faced by communities in these regions.
Countering Disinformation
Disinformation poses a significant threat to the integrity of journalism and the stability of communities, particularly in regions like Mindanao and BARMM where tensions are high and misinformation can exacerbate conflict. As trusted sources of information, journalists have a critical role in countering false narratives that can mislead the public and fuel unrest.
This course equips journalists with the tools and strategies needed to identify, analyze, and counter disinformation in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as
practiced by MindaNews, the lone Mindanao-based news organization to be accredited by the prestigious International Fact Checking Network (IFCN). MindaNews is one out of the four media organizations accredited in the Philippines.
Gender-Based Safety Training for Journalists
In the Philippines, where journalists often face significant risks, female journalists and those of minority genders are particularly vulnerable to threats that can undermine their safety and freedom of expression. These risks are heightened in regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Journalists in these areas not only contend with the dangers inherent in covering sensitive issues but also with ongoing risks of physical and online harm, impunity, and discrimination long after their stories are published.
Grounded in the Philippine Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists, the course addresses a broad spectrum of safety concerns, including protection against impunity, work-related discrimination, physical threats, and digital security.
About the Project
Media Impact Philippines: Safeguarding and Strengthening Local and National Media in the Public Interest (2024-2026) is a three- year media development project that aims to strengthen and safeguard the media environment at the national and regional level in the Philippines so that the media and journalists can operate and provide public interest information to Filipino audiences, particularly in BARMM
The project is being implemented by the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MIJ), the training arm of MindaNews, and the International Media Support (IMS), and co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
The project has three outcomes focusing on 1) enhancing the skills and capacities of journalists and media to maintain operations and produce and distribute public interest content; 2) implementing safety and protection measures for journalists, especially female journalists; and 3) creating an enabling environment for Freedom of Expression (FoE) with particular attention to self-regulation and countering disinformation.
The project is being implemented by the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MIJ), the training arm of MindaNews, and the International Media Support (IMS), and co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
The project has three outcomes focusing on 1) enhancing the skills and capacities of journalists and media to maintain operations and produce and distribute public interest content; 2) implementing safety and protection measures for journalists, especially female journalists; and 3) creating an enabling environment for Freedom of Expression (FoE) with particular attention to self-regulation and countering disinformation.
Project Implementer
Founded and run by veteran Mindanawon journalists and scholars who are the driving force behind MindaNews, the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MIJ) specializes in providing training that is deeply rooted in the realities of Mindanao. The expertise and experience of these professionals, who have dedicated their careers to covering the complexities of Mindanao, form the backbone of MIJ’s curriculum.
MIJ aims to support journalists to “professionally and responsibly cover Mindanao events, peoples and issues to inform, educate, inspire and influence communities” through training programs, workshops, and courses designed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to cover the region’s diverse and often complex issues effectively.
Over the years, MIJ has nurtured a strong network and vibrant community of local journalists that serves as both a support system and a source of rich, on-the-ground insights. This enables MIJ to offer unparalleled training that resonates with the specific challenges and opportunities of journalism in Mindanao.
Through its programs, MIJ ensures that journalists not only gain the skills needed to report effectively but also develop a profound understanding of the region they cover, fostering a media landscape that is informed, responsible, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
MIJ aims to support journalists to “professionally and responsibly cover Mindanao events, peoples and issues to inform, educate, inspire and influence communities” through training programs, workshops, and courses designed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to cover the region’s diverse and often complex issues effectively.
Over the years, MIJ has nurtured a strong network and vibrant community of local journalists that serves as both a support system and a source of rich, on-the-ground insights. This enables MIJ to offer unparalleled training that resonates with the specific challenges and opportunities of journalism in Mindanao.
Through its programs, MIJ ensures that journalists not only gain the skills needed to report effectively but also develop a profound understanding of the region they cover, fostering a media landscape that is informed, responsible, and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
THE PROJECT TEAM
DR. JOSE JOWEL CANUDAY, OXON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mindanao Institute of Journalism
AMALIA BANDIOLA-CABUSAO
PROGRAM MANAGER
Mindanao Institute of Journalism
RUBYROSE LORA
PROJECT LEAD
Media Impact Philippines project
JILL PALARCA
TRAINING OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
HAZEL JANE ARDEPOLLA
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
MAX DINQUE, JR
FINANCE OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
CAROLYN ARGUILLAS
CONTENT CONSULTANT
Head of Publications, Archives, and Library (MindaNews)
This publication was produced with support from International Media Support and co-funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and International Media Support.
THE PROJECT TEAM
DR. JOSE JOWEL CANUDAY, OXON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mindanao Institute of Journalism
AMALIA BANDIOLA-CABUSAO
PROGRAM MANAGER
Mindanao Institute of Journalism
RUBYROSE LORA
PROJECT LEAD
Media Impact Philippines project
JILL PALARCA
TRAINING OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
HAZEL JANE ARDEPOLLA
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
MAX DINGUE, JR
FINANCE OFFICER
Media Impact Philippines project
