‘Where are the citizen journalists of Mindanao?’

Journalist Dana Batnag put out this question in a blog entry dated August 11.

She writes:

Where are the bloggers of Mindanao, the citizen journalists who we have hoped would keep us updated on the ARMM elections? The ARMM elections are the first automated elections in the country. If all goes well, the government hopes to also automate the 2010 national elections. I was expecting blogs on the elections — how the machines worked and how the people reacted to them, even pictures on the voting precincts and the voters. I was told there had been no posts as of lunchtime, but maybe that was because the voting wasn’t over yet at that time.

This question is indeed very relevant if we compare this to what is happening in the United States. In a recent CNET article, bloggers were among those actively participating in the delivery of news and information to constituents. The article says:

It is true that the Democratic National Convention Committee handed credentials to a record number of bloggers for the Denver convention this week, but more nevertheless appear to have gathered at the Big Tent. Adding to the lure of the unofficial venue is that the workspace’s location on Wynkoop Street is around the corner from a multitude of restaurants and private parties, including a massive Tuesday reception organized by Emily’s List, a late-night jazz festival, and an AT&T-sponsored brewery bash.

With blogs allowing anyone who can write to publish their thoughts on the Internet, Batnag was expecting bloggers to be blogging about the first automated elections in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao. She says:

I was expecting blogs on the elections — how the machines worked and how the people reacted to them, even pictures on the voting precincts and the voters. I was told there had been no posts as of lunchtime, but maybe that was because the voting wasn’t over yet at that time.

She adds:

The ARMM elections would have been a good time for citizen journalists to show what they can do and how much better a job of it they can do.

A quick search on Google produced this blog called, “Philippine Elections Journal,” which announced as early as April 4 that it was looking for ARMM Election bloggers. It didn’t get any reaction despite the promise of “$100 payment for every 20 approved articles.” This blog was set up by Filipino blogger Janette Toral.

There were also some ARMM election postings but none about the actual election day.

Batnag says: “Citizen journalists not only know the terrain, they usually know everyone because it’s their neighborhood they’re blogging about. In the ARMM elections, a citizen journalist would have the luxury of hanging around and waiting until all the votes had been canvassed.”

“Until the citizen journalists of Mindanao blog about the elections so that their voices — and thoughts — can be heard and discussed, these are just the rantings of someone who believes in the power of the citizen,” she adds.

Share This