Does the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) still consider the accreditation of vloggers a priority?
This question was asked by minority solon Camarines Sur 3rd district Rep. Gabriel Bordado to the OPS budget sponsor during the House plenary debates on Monday, Sept. 26.
"Last June 22, Mr. Speaker, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles mentioned there vloggers with high engagement and following in social media might be allowed access to Malacañang events after accreditation," Bordado said as sponsor Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo listened on.
"Is the accreditation of bloggers and social media practioners still a priority of the OPS?" asked the Bicolano.
"Mr. Speaker, the OPS is open to the possibility of accreditating vloggers," answered Quimbo, senior vice chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations.
"But at this point in time, they are still studying the matter and in case they do decide to accredit vloggers, of course it would be important to provide the necessary training, Mr. Speaker," she added.
Proper journalistic training has been repeatedly cited as a key difference between mainstream media practioners and vlog-based content creators.
Of course, there is also the question of who between the two can actually generate bigger traction.