Monday, February 22, 2010
The Web and Campus Journalism.
The Web and Campus Journalism
(asiancorrespondent .com, Feb. 3, 2010, by Edwin Espejo)
I didn’t realize I was already 30 years detached from campus journalism until Smart Communications Philippines invited me to share my experience as a print journalist who transitioned to online journalism.
How time flied so fast and how technology made me feel locked in a time warp.
Yes. Three decades ago, we were literally counting spaces, characters and words on our ‘copies’ to make sure our page layouts will turn out fine.
There were only two fonts available on our typewriters: pica and elite.
We have to make a dummy on a newsprint impression of our school paper. Rush it to the printing press for encoding, proofreading and reviewing the layout in film before the stripper finalizes it for plate-making.
Not to mention advisers always on the lookout for articles that will undermine school authorities.
Then we have to wait for days until it is ready for distribution.
More often than not, it took weeks for us to come up with an issue.
Printing costs always took their toll on our ability to come up with regular issues. In most cases, school publications only come out twice a semester.
While issues on campus press freedom and student rights and welfare remain in many colleges and universities, campus journalism has been drastically changed by technology over the last two decades.
Standing in front of bright and promising campus writers last week, it made me old for a while. Even my reference as a Jurrasic in campus publication sound tame. Some students cannot even relate to it.
Why! I even made the big mistake of using Adobe Pagemaker as reference to lay-outing and publishing tool. And to think, it was the software Sun.Star Publications was using only three years ago – before I ‘retired’ from the now defunct Sun.Star Business Weekly (Socsksargen) .
I was told Adobe had already junked Pagemaker for a more user-friendly Adobe InDesign.
In today’s digital world, publishing news and other articles have become as handy as using your mobile phone – a techie gadget that we did not even dream of during our time.
Which brings me to the world of the Web and Internet.
I told the students that the days of newspapers could come to an end – like it or not and sooner or later. Paperless newspaper or paperless news is increasingly becoming a popular medium and source of information.
The rapid development of the Web also connects the reader in real time with the dawning of interactive press.
Honing your writing skills is no longer a tedious physical process of writing and rewriting your copies and manuscript by hand.
You now have the computers that will allow you to review your spelling and grammar, count the words for you and allow you choose the fonts and font sizes at the click of the mouse button.
In the real world, today’s writers have technology aiding them with their craft.
Smart’s move to encourage online journalism is one of the wisest decisions made by the telecommunication company to encourage campus writers to pursue a career in journalism – whether writing for a cause, writing for a product or simply discussing one’s views and opinions.
The Internet has emerged as a powerful communications tool.
Students could use the Web to reach out to their fellow students and even connect them virtually to every school publication anywhere in the world.
They could take cue on Facebook, Flixster, Twitter and other social networking sites which allow readers to post their comments and share their views in real time with less cost and better speed – or in other words – the fastest way possible.
No need to angle your stories and news to make it relevant with the passing of each publication date and worrying if these have become history.
And it saves your publication money that otherwise will go to printing costs.
Of course, these are still protocols and journalism ethics students have to observe and to follow.
Even without joining the mainstream media, the internet could become both a hobby and passion for student writers.
Blogging has become a popular activity in the internet.
Some have gone full time blogging - earning them income while doing what they are doing best. One blogger earns as much as P120,000 a month through Adsense.
If one gets lucky, a website could ‘buy’ and redirect your blog to its site for a fee.
The key is to be consistent, credible and committed to your craft as a blogger.
And as a blogger, you can be a better journalist.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Doodled. :)
I was. She is.
No, I didn’t break up with my boyfriend. In fact, we are very much together. So why the title? I found this note I doodled way way back from a previous relationship. I always find it entertaining to read mementos that reflect how I felt that time. Looking at how I wrote it, its funny how every stroke and word I used can reflect what I had gone through. Raw, preserved and unaltered, the way emotions should be. This is one of the pleasures handwriting can bring. No, I got over him eons ago and I am very much happy with the one I am with- just in case you may want to ask. :D
***************************************************************
I was. She is.
Tell me if I’m just being praning or what. Past tenses suck. The -eds and all remind you of how stupid you are- or how stupid he is- for letting go and saying goodbye when you could have talked it out. It slaps you in the face bigtime that you are no longer part of that someone’s life.
You cannot text him anymore. No midnight phone calls. No one to say I love you to. Dinner dates and movie marathons are gone. Why? Because you (I) are/am just part of his once upon a time.
And while thinking that you had your time with him to say the least brings a little comfort, it brings you to pain.
Yes, there’ll always be a tinge of pain, regret and fear knowing that you cannot have him anymore.
************************************************************
Cheesy eh? I know. I had a good laugh reading it, really. It’s funny and awkward at the same time that I can laugh at this now when I thought the world stopped that time. I know you had your share of mush too, Everybody did. Share it with me, now! :D
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Jesus Christ's resume. :)
People say that if you want to start your year right, decluttering is the way to go.
It's a way of clearing ang cleaning out your stuff, getting rid of old stuff that aren't necessary and getting past things that has been pulling you back.
Well, it is the second of the month of the year and I am just starting to fumble through old files and pictures-because err, the first month was spent mostly in looking for new opportunities to support this trip that I've been planning for.
Since I just started trying to organize my stuff and all, I will be posting random articles, passages, pictures, even journal entries (good'ol high school stuff) on this site. :)
So I start. Ages ago, mom sent me this. I cannot remember why exactly but this one's really inspiring since we are talking about decluttering. This reminds us to remember that no matter how good we are, we cannot top Him and his greatness. Here goes :)
The Resume of Jesus Christ
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ . Many call me Lord! I've sent
you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your
heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through
me, (See Galatians 3:14)
Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills & Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor
to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives
free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at
liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me
shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse
you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and
understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See
Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto
your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms
44:21).
Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all
times, (See Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them
openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, to many to mention here.
You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the
BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my
website.
References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings,
salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural
guidance
In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only
candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your
heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs
3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can
I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).
*************************************************************
I hope we hire him. :)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
