PPI to discuss election surveys and social media in 19th forum, bares finalists in 6 awards

As it celebrates its 51^st year, the Philippine Press Institute, also known as the national association of newspapers, reaffirms its strong commitment to doing its share in enhancing media’s role as a catalyst for discourse—rich, enlightened, meaningful and sustained—in the coming elections and beyond.

The May 2016 national and local elections are just a year away. At least 18,000 elective posts will be up for grabs, running the gamut from municipal councilors to the next occupant of Malacañang. How we will choose our leaders will have a huge impact on the nation in the next six years—and beyond—of our collective life as a nation.

Like it or not, how we choose our leaders will be informed significantly by mass media reports. Without doubt, media play an important role in any democracy, ours included. Such role is highlighted during elections when media’s power not only to inform but also to enlighten the public on a host of issues—as well as the candidates’ qualifications—appears to be wielded to the hilt.

The theme of the 19th National Press Forum, “Media and Election:  Expanding the Discourse” will focus on media and elections, reporting surveys, and social media.  

Publishers and editors of PPI member-newspapers nationwide will attend the National Press Forum and Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, which will be held on May 14 and 15, 2015 at Diamond Hotel in Manila.  These two events will also be attended by representatives from non-media sectors.

Atty. Christian Monsod, former chairman of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, serves as this year’s keynote speaker at the 19th National Press Forum and Annual Civic Journalism Community Press Awards of the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), the country’s oldest professional media organization.

As keynote speaker, Mr. Monsod will discuss issues that news media should cover in the upcoming 2016 national and local elections.

Mr. Monsod also served as the former secretary general and national chairman of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), an election watchdog. He is also the founder and honorary chairman of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), the first Philippine network of lawyers, law students, paralegals and other trained volunteers set up by various non-partisan groups engaged in election monitoring work. He has won local and international awards for his leadership in and invaluable contributions to election reforms, governance, and democracy development in the Philippines.

Sessions in the forum are: “Social Surveys:  Beyond the Numbers” and “Social Media as a Public Sphere”. Heads of survey institutions, political experts, civil society advocates, and journalists will take part in these sessions.  Other important concerns will be discussed in the industry forum, including the launch of PPI’s new programs.  This year's forum will feature exhibits from some PPI members on stories of rehabilitation and recovery in relation to last year's focus which was reporting on disasters.  New programs will also be launched in the industry forum.

Recognizing excellence in reportage

Highlighting the two-day forum is the Annual Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, the first and only awards program of its kind in the country, that aims to raise the standards of journalism in the countryside, and seeks to honor news organizations not only for editorial excellence but also for their role as catalysts for community development.

Now on its 19^th year, the awards program will honor outstanding community newspapers in various categories such as editing, photojournalism, editorial page, business reporting, environmental reporting, and reporting on history, arts and culture.  Sixteen newspapers are vying for the six awards in both daily and weekly categories:  Sun.Star Baguio, Cebu Daily News, Sun.Star Cebu, Panay News, Edge Davao, Mindanao Times, Sun.Star Davao, Baguio Midland Courier, Baguio Chronicle, Balikas, The Ilocos Times, The Negros Chronicle, The Bohol Chronicle, Eastern Visayas Mail, The Mindanao Cross, and Business Week Mindanao.

This year's event is supported by Nickel Asia Corporation as principal partner, and sponsored in part by PRU LIFE U.K. as major sponsor, National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), PhilHealth, SM Investments Corporation, Plan International - Philippines, Diamond Hotel, McDonald's, Malaya Business Insight, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Journal, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld and Manila Standard Today.

The PPI is the country's premiere print media association whose member-publications rank among the best, most read and widely circulated newspapers in their respective regions (National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao).  Its principal mandate is the defense of press freedom and the promotion of ethical standards for the professional development of the Filipino journalist. It was founded in 1964 but rendered moribund during martial law.  It was re-activated after the EDSA Revolution and incorporated in 1987.