HCC’s Development Communicators Association, the official student organization of BS Development Communication launched the first DevCom Webinar that highlights the role of a student journalist, communicators, and leaders in informing the public during a pandemic last November 24.
In line with the 75th founding anniversary of Holy Cross College, the school with a heart aimed to help students to develop and grow by having a virtual conference and build good partnerships with other Higher Educational Institutions.
The virtual conference was attended by 300 students from different universities and colleges in Luzon. The webinar was also simulcasted at the blackboard application of Adamson University and was participated by communication students.
“In this crisis, media either local, national, or online – it all played a very significant role in making people aware about the situation and helped them in decision making,” BS DevCom program head, Angelica Marie Simpao said in the opening remarks.
The DevCom webinar aims to help and train communication students, campus journalists and aspiring media practitioners. It was participated by known media practitioners like Roberto Reiniel Pawid, senior reporter of CLTV36 who tackled the importance of citizen journalists and the roles of community reporters in exposing the truth to the public.
“Bilang journalist tignan mo kung anong mga detalye ang inilalabas mo dahil bilang manood sila ang magkonsumo ng impormasyon na binabato mo. Kailangan maging mapanuri sa lahat ng ilalabas na balita. Tignan niyong mabuti ang mga pinapublish niyong balita,” Pawid said.
Nielsen Ocampo, executive producer of GMA News 24 Oras Weekend shared the innovation in the broadcast industry due to the pandemic. He pointed out the changes and adaptation of journalist in the new normal in media.
Also, Mark Diyco Fernando, faculty from Adamson University shared the importance and proper utilization of social media. Fernando shared his viewpoints in social media trolling and disinformation in the Philippines.
“Be critical with what information to share. As communicators, people will invest more trust in you to verify the information for them. Please be mindful of sharing information because kayo na nag-take ng communication, kayo iyong lalapitan ng tao. Future reporter ito, future journalist ito, so be mindful and critical,” Fernando pointed.
The DevCom Webinar will be the annual conference of communication students in Luzon. The student organizers are aiming to invite more students and tap more journalist in the country to tackle Philippine media landscape in the coming years.