Enter the ‘mojos’ Wireless technology breeds new journalists

MANILA, Philippines - The May 13 midterm elections saw the rise of a new breed of journalists in the country. Called “mobile journalists,” or “mojos” for short, these reporters use wireless technologies to gather, report and broadcast news straight from the field. A “mojo” can report from anywhere, anytime, and does not require bulky cameras and cables to show their reports on TV and in news websites.

“Fourth-generation mobile phone technology has made it possible for TV journalists to report live with good-quality video and audio, using just their cellular phones. We think this can be a game-changer,” said Ramon Isberto, public affairs head for PLDT and Smart Communications Inc. 

“Technologies such as Smart LTE (Long Term Evolution) open up many more opportunities for improving television coverage in a very cost-effective way. Combined with social media, mobile video streaming can revolutionize the way the public can access and interact with news and information.” Isberto added.

Mobile journalism

According to a paper published by Stephen Quinn through the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation last year, mobile journalism is reporting done with only a mobile phone. While there are different levels of mobile journalism from simple raw video streaming to more complex applications that can edit and broadcast to mobile channels, the fast changing and more affordable technologies have made possible this new kind of live TV journalism in Asia and all over the world.

TV5, for example, boosted its election coverage with live streaming reports from field reporters using Smart LTE-enabled iPhone5 handsets in areas like Tarlac, Iloilo, Cavite, and various points of Metro Manila like Pasay City and Makati. This is the first time a news organization used these technologies in an extensive manner.

In one of its first live reports through its newly launched News5Everywhere service, reporter Michelle Orosa can be seen using her Smart LTE-enabled phone on field while jogging alongside Vice President Jejomar Binay in the Coconut Palace grounds in Manila.

Orosa was using the mobile device to film and stream the content straight to the newsroom and to live TV. Such candidness and closer interaction with the person being interviewed could not have been possible with conventional broadcast equipment.

News5Everywhere is a “trans-media” and cloud-based online video platform that allows Internet-capable devices real-time access to news. It is powered by leading telcos PLDT and Smart.

“Smart LTE has made it possible for our reporters to stream reports wherever and whenever. During the last elections, among the many video stories we were able to stream first ahead of other networks were the tension in Bacoor, Cavite, as policemen surrounded the residence of Sen. Bong Revilla, the morning run of Vice President Binay, the proceedings inside polling precincts in Iloilo, and of candidates voting,” said Martin Andanar, News5Everywhere project lead.

In major cities, Sunstar Online used PLDT’s fiber broadband and Smart’s LTE service to stream election news through its website to Filipino communities overseas.

“With the fast Internet connection, we were able to innovate more by having live interactions and getting live feed from our journalists around the country,” said Nini Cabaero, editor-in-chief of the Sunstar Network Exchange.

Citizens gather news

Meanwhile, citizens with the same tools are also doing their own newsgathering, posting them on social media and websites. Some progressive news organizations have also been picking up their work from the Internet.

This was done extensively by new media online publication Rappler.com and social citizen group Blogwatch.ph, also both partners of Smart for the elections.

To further enable reporters covering the elections at the Comelec command center in PICC, Smart LTE services were also made available for use by media through the deployment of a Smart Multi-Element On Wheels (MEOW).

Smart MEOW is like a mobile cell site mounted on a truck but is also capable not just for the usual voice and text services but also data, including 4G.

Launched in August 2012, Smart LTE is the country’s first and most widely available LTE service. Over 800 Smart LTE sites are spread out in 46 cities and 69 municipalities nationwide and are backed by PLDT’s fiber optic network, the Philippines’ most extensive and resilient transmission infrastructure.

With more mobile Internet enabled handsets with excellent video capabilities, and with data packages becoming more affordable, expect “mojos” to multiply, not only on TV but in all kinds of media as well.