DRIVING THOUGHTS
Pinky Concha Colmenares
I’ve been with the Manila Bulletin for more than half of my life, and I’m still learning new things in the changing landscapes of media. I’ve enjoyed the lessons of change, many times trying to understand new technology, sometimes resisting it, and always finding delight when I master its use.
Digital technology started changing the way things were done in Manila Bulletin more than 30 years ago. From manual typewriters we jumped to Atex computers and learned how to file our stories — and talk to each other through the “message” cursor. That was a really long time ago when my daughters were very young and they used to go with me to the office on weekends. Today, both of them have made me a grandmother. That’s how long ago that was.
Fast forward to about 20 years ago when I learned to rely on the computer to help me with a story. Google search became my trusty assistant; it could find any information I needed. It could even help me check if a story or quote I read in Facebook is true — or fake news. And it led me to websites that had interesting — and incredible – information that confirmed — or rejected — my opinions.
One day I realized that there was an increasing number of people in media events. Yet I did not know of many media companies opening. I was surprised to learn that the new members of media were bloggers, coming from a media known as blogs. They “owned” their medium which was run by a keyboard, internet connection, and a strong opinion. I was in awe; I could not imagine operating as reporter, editor and publisher. Who would check and confirm if my stories had complete and fair information? I had many conversations with blogger-friends who tried to convince me to start a blog. I promised I’d do that soon, but until now I have not done so.
With the Manila Bulletin, there was still much to learn as technology became smarter.
One, the smartphone presented a lighter way to retrieve email, and write or edit stories while on the road. I learned how to curl my large fingers to apply the pressure of a tap — or press — on the smartphone face, at the exact spot between words, to bring into view the words “select, select all, copy, paste.” A quick tap with the forefinger moving downward highlighted the text I wanted to copy, paste, or to delete. Sometimes I delete what I meant to copy, so I start all over again. To make things easier, I bought a lightweight Macbook.
Facebook, Google, Youtube, Twitter, and a few website addresses presented a flood of information I could access anytime. Curiosity, opinion, and interest could lead to material for good stories. I learned that there’s even a course that teaches how to do that. It’s known as data journalism. I attended a seminar on that, but it’s something you can’t learn from a few lectures.
Years ago, my boss, Mr. Emil C. Yap III, MB president, sent me to a workshop to study another form of reporting called “long form journalism.” That tells a story with the use of words, video, photographs, maps, artwork – each element slipping in and out of the monitor, like a film unrolling. To compose a story requires a team. It’s a technique that I am still working on.
In between the new ways and technology to tell a story, I wrestled with questions on what’s right or what’s prudent.
Are several announcements on social media enough to confirm a person’s death?
Does a journalist have the right to use the information from social media as part of a story, under his or her byline ?
Is privacy invaded when a journalist uses a Facebook photo of a private citizen in grief — just because it had captured the attention of the curious netizens?
Is it plagiarism to use a quotation from another social media post, even if it is properly attributed to that site?
With digital media’s demand for the faster production of content, I labored over the thought of writing a trite lead sentence; or choosing the wrong verb, or, worse — my subject and verb disagreed!
Speed or style? That’s another issue an old journalist like me has to learn to work with. I told you, I have not stopped learning yet.