Media personalities in Davao del Norte welcomed the creation of a Provincial Media Board to promote accountability, professionalism and welfare of local journalists.

Members of the press responded positively when Provincial Information Officer Dr. Mervin Suaybaguio, Jr. bared the plan to establish the self-regulating body, during the conference on development communication and community journalism.

The event was among the highlights of the Davao del Norte Press Freedom Month celebration this month.

Suaybaguio stressed the need to strengthen the role of the media in helping advance human development and socio-economic growth.

“We have to really professionalize the media practitioners in Davao del Norte,” he said.

He assured the different media categories will be duly represented in the body, to include the print, broadcast and content creators, including media organizations, information officers, and student journalists.

He added the board is not meant to censor the local media, as he assured the full commitment of Governor Edwin Jubahib in upholding press freedom.

Former DXDN Station Manager Aurora Lozada hoped the proposed media board will strengthen the role and welfare of press people, as watchdogs checking government actions.

Lamenting about the disunited media landscape in the province, Mindanao Newscaster Editor-in-Chief Pamela Gay Bangad-Perales wished the planned body willfoster unity among local journalists.

“With certain rules, kung na-professionalized na ta dili na ta maulaw… kay sakit ilang ingon nga ang media diri samok kaayo (We will no longer feel ashamed because it pains me to hear others saying media practitioners here are divided)”, she said.

Gold-FM-Tagum Station Manager Ricky Diampon also looked forward for the proper accreditation of legitimate journalists to save government agencies and the private sector from dealing with unscrupulous bogus practitioners with dubious affiliations. 

Suaybaguio further bared the plan to offer struggling journalists some technical courses in media and communications at the provincial government-run Davao del Norte Learning Institute (DNLI), complete with assessment and certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Topics at the journalism conference include Basic News Writing and Radio Broadcasting by Dr. Maria Gemima Valderama, Media Laws by Davao City Assistant Prosecutor Atty. Peter Paul Tombo, and MTRCB Guidelines by MTRCB Board Member Rico Pable, Jr. 

Davao del Norte Provincial Information Officer Dr. Mervin Suaybaguio, Jr. bares the proposed creation of the Provincial Media Board in order to promote the professionalism and welfare of the media practitioners in the province.Jonald Lalas 

Dr. Maria Gemima Valderama talks about the Basics of News Writing and Radio Broadcasting during the conference on development communication and community journalism, as among the highlights of the Davao del Norte Press Freedom Month celebration. Jonald Lalas 

Davao City Assistant Prosecutor Atty. Peter Paul Tombo talks about the Media Laws during the conference on development communication and community journalism, as among the highlights of the Davao del Norte Press Freedom Month celebration. Jonald Lalas 

MTRCB Board Member Rico Pable, Jr. talks about the MTRCB Guidelines at the conference on development communication and community journalism, as among the highlights of the Davao del Norte Press Freedom Month celebration. Jonald Lalas 

Former DXDN Station Manager Aurora Lozada hopes the proposed Provincial Media Board of Davao del Norte will strengthen the role and welfare of press people, as watchdogs checking government actions. Jonald Lalas 

Mindanao Newscaster Editor-in-Chief Pamela Gay Bangad-Perales wishes the proposed Provincial Media Board of Davao del Norte will foster unity among local journalists. Jonald Lalas 

 

DavNor News