DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 Jan) – The 8th Mindanao Media Summit to be held here on January 25-26 will talk about the impacts of social media in reporting governance and elections.
Some 80 journalists and media practitioners from the cities of Davao and General Santos, and some parts of Western Mindanao and Cotabato provinces will be gathering in this two-day event with the theme “Reporting governance and the elections 2013.”
Amalia Cabusao, editor of the Mindanao Times and one of the organizers, said Wednesday that with the widespread use of social media, there is a need for journalists and media practitioners to look into its impacts within social contexts.
There is a huge widening gap between people from urban and rural areas in terms of accessibility to information, she said, citing that those in the rural areas are mostly poor.
Cabusao cited that social media cannot reach most people in the rural areas who do not have electricity, computers and let alone internet connection.
Majority of rural communities rely on the radio as their medium to access news and information, she pointed out.
That’s why the two-day confab will bring journalists together from all parts in Mindanao to discuss vital issues, including how to cover the midterm elections, she said.
Resource person for the topic “Social Media and the US Elections” is Luke Martin of the United States Embassy in Manila.
Lynda Jumilla of ABS-CBN will speak on the “Midterm elections and the role of media.”
Carlos Munda, chief executive officer of Lighthouse Communications, will give an input on “Seeing through spins.”
Dr. Ma. Linda Arquiza, executive director of the University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion, will talk about how to understand surveys.
Among other resource speakers, Ellen Tordesillas from the Vera Files will speak on media ethics in covering the electoral campaign, Vince Lazatin of the Transparency and Accountability Network on transparency in election campaign finances, and Dr.
Ma. Diosa Labiste on social media, news media, and technologies of participation.
Meanwhile, the Mindanao Development Authority will also give updates on the power situation in Mindanao. (Lorie Ann A. Cascaro / MindaNews)
