By Santosh Digal
MANILA – "Believe in the power of media and uphold the democracy" was one of the takeaways of the 13th Pinoy Media Congress (PMC) 2019.
“It [PMC] encourages students to be at the forefront in keeping an eye on the media and the government as we continue to hold the line and uphold the democracy in the country,” said organizer Mark Lester D. Chico, secretary of the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE).
“The Gen Z and the millennial(s) are called to believe in their power in using media in making sure that democracy and freedom of speech are alive and work for them,” added Chico, a professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, College of Development Communication.
The PACE and ABS-CBN Corporation organized the event at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila from March 7 to 9.
PMC is the country’s biggest and longest-running annual gathering of communication students, professors, experts, and practitioners.
This year’s theme, “Media and Democracy,” recognizes the crucial role of media in the public sphere, in the light of the upcoming mid-term elections in May.
The two-day conference covered discussions on journalism, media, and entertainment in today's digital world, with special topics on the elections. The third day was held at ABS-CBN, featuring workshops and studio tours, among others.
Over 1,000 delegates from various educational centers nationwide, including from more than 55 institutions representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, attended the program - which was endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education.
Several prominent media experts and practitioners addressed and discussed the interplay of media and democracy.
Several speakers, including journalist and radio broadcaster Kristin Karen Davila, cited the valuable role of social media.
“Facebook is not organic. It is now more powerful than gold. It is the new currency of communication,” said Davila, a television presenter.
“Choose to be accountable. Wield your power over Facebook. Engage but do not change your values. Control your content. Change the game. Detach,” Nerissa Guillermo, a media teacher and participant, said. (PNA)
(About the author: Santosh Digal is a graduate student at the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.)
