April Nian S.

Gumanoy October 06, 2022

BSSED - English

ACTIVITY NO. 1: JOURNALISM

THE COMMUNITY MESSENGER

The first-ever type of journalism I was aware of was televised news. Waking up and
hearing the television on which my father listens before going to work, the newsbreak that
interrupts my favorite cartoon, and the 1-hour news show every 6 pm as I wait for the next
episode of the tv drama I keep an eye on. Until I learned how to read and then started trying
to read 10-peso tabloids up to digitalized newspapers of the established news agencies like
Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and Rappler. And as I grow older, I realized that Journalism keeps
following where I go, the trends and fads, and continually informing, entertaining, and
persuading me. It keeps telling me stories – important, funny, sad, disgusting, horrific up to
amazing ones. Individuals shaped in black suits, with cameras and microphones keep me
updated, which I called the community messengers.

According to American Press Institute, Journalism is a practice of acquiring,

analyzing, producing, and exhibiting news and information to its audience. It is a crucial part
of communication that is rooted in telling facts and unveiling truths. Unlike entertainment and
advertisements, journalism focuses on what matters, more valuable and relevant ones.
Whether speaking in a creative or technical tone, it is anchored in telling the community
factual information useful in decision-making, growth, lifestyle, good practices, and living with
the truth. The umbrella term “Journalism” has its different categories, and some are the
following: Investigative, Political, Crime, Business, Art, Celebrity, Education, Sports, and
Lifestyle that can be delivered through these media: Online, Print, Broadcast, or Radio
Journalism. On a personal note, I believe that this is the art and science of telling worthy
stories to its audience which are beneficial for consumption.

It continues to narrate ‘messages’ of the current world that empowers oneself and
society as well. To the citizens, it is a tool for learning, and entertainment, and ignites ideas
and feelings. But more, it is a weapon of the public, to be not blinded by lies and see the
nakedness of humanity and the world we live in. Quoting Joshua Oppenheimer as he said,
“The function of journalism is, primarily, to uncover vital new information in the public interest
and to put that information in a context so that we can use it to improve the human
condition.”