Citizen journalism goes beyond reportage

MANILA, Philippines - Close to half a million Bayan Patrollers are using citizen journalism skills to engage candidates and government and push solutions to community problems.

As ABS-CBN revs up its Halalan2013 campaign with a final swing of citizen journalism and voters’ empowerment workshops, its integrated news service is tapping the wonders of digital technology to present viewers with the country’s broadest interactive election coverage.

Bayan Mo iPatrol Mo (BMPM), the country’s longest-running citizen journalism program, conducted with partner schools and organizations 46 voters’ empowerment forums and workshops in the last semester of 2012.

ABS-CBN’s Integrated News Division has also launched its KampanyaSerye, providing more in-depth coverage of key electoral races in the country.

The cable news channel ANC, DZMM on radio and the Current Affairs group, through Umagang Kay Ganda, are also dedicating hours to Harapan, a forum that dissects candidates’ platforms.

 BMPM’s new slogan, Tayo Na, anchors the network’s election campaign. The call echoes reality on the ground, where citizens are using social media not only to call attention to community problems but also to organize and mobilize collective initiatives for change.

“Citizens are saying, it is not enough just to vote. They are determined to monitor the elections and help keep them honest and peaceful. Even more important, citizen journalists are using new skills to remind politicians of unmet promises and unfinished tasks,” said Ging Reyes, ABS-CBN SVP for integrated news.

KampanyaSerye, a series of teleserye-style documentaries that started last Jan. 14 where the network’s journalists explore the stories behind the headlines, campaign promises, drama and characters in key Halalan2013 battlegrounds.

KampanyaSerye’s special on political dynasties titled Kamag-anak Inc., which aired Sunday, received positive feedback.

“This project aims to bring out the issues that matter to the electorate and show the competencies of aspiring leaders,” Reyes said. The documentaries air on TV Patrol, ANC, DZMM TeleRadyo and on ABS-CBNNews.com, which provides a digital home for the “producers’ cut.”

DZMM, meanwhile, was the first broadcast news org to gather candidates in a public forum titled Bagito o Beterano? The DZMM Halalan 2013 Forum last month was held at the University of the East-Manila.