Celebrating the launch of Rolling Stone Philippines’ maiden issue, journalists Atom Araullo, Ricky Carandang, Sonny Coloma, and Ivan Mayrina took the Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE! stage on Friday, March 21, to talk about the state of journalism in a rapidly transforming digital landscape.
Moderated by Araullo, the discussion titled “Journalism in the Age of Big Tech: How to Survive in the Midst of Disinformation” tackled the challenges of traditional media, journalism in the digital age, the rise in citizen reporting, and the future of investigative journalism.
During the discussion, former ABS-CBN anchor and Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said that the proliferation of fake or inaccurate news can be attributed to both new forms of news media and traditional media. “[Traditional] media tended to be urban, highly educated, middle and upper class. Maybe there was not enough space for different and valid voices,” he said. “And that weakness was exploited by governments, by right-wing media organizations.”
The discussion continued into a musing on where journalism is headed amid the current state of social media. 24 Oras anchor Ivan Mayrina said that traditional media should challenge the current conventions. “For example, do viewers still want the news presenter to be in suits? Or what is the sweet spot for a TV report? Traditionally, it’s been a minute and a half to two minutes. Pero relevant pa ba ‘yon now that people can’t be made to sit through a 20-second reel?”
Manila Bulletin Executive Vice President Sonny Coloma is more optimistic. “There’s always a reason for journalism to exist and thrive,” he said after being asked where journalism is headed in the midst of the current sociopolitical climate.
Rolling Stone Philippines LIVE!
with Ploom and Nordic Spirit
In partnership with Baken
And special thanks to the Moment Group, Brewed Statement, Instamirror, Remy Martin, Event Shaker, Goodness Graze
