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,” 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 and other issues confronting them.
“KampanyaSerye” and “Harapan” involve citizens in confronting candidates on issues of corruption and effective governance. BMPM’s “Tayo Na” workshops encourage citizens to base their votes on important gut issues.
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 senior vice president for integrated news.
Television viewers and netizens have praised ABS-CBN’s “KampanyaSerye,” a series of teleserye-style documentaries that started last January 14 where the network’s journalists explore the stories behind the headlines, campaign promises, drama, and characters in key Halalan2013 battlegrounds.
Twitter user @withloveamor commended the project, saying “This show keeps us voters more aware and wise this coming election.”
KampanyaSerye’s special documentary on political dynasties titled “Kamag-anak Inc.,” which aired last Sunday, also received positive feedback from netizens.
@felixalvarina said “Kudos #kamaganakinc, ang galing at well-researched,” while @JanGuillan12 praised reporter Jorge Carino for his report and said that he “deserves to get an award for this. Good job, ABS-CBN!”
“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.”
A total of nine installments have been aired by “KampanyaSerye,” including the Lim-Estrada battle for the Manila mayoralty, the Villafuertes of Camarines Sur, controversial celebrities Annabelle Rama and Angelica Jones, and boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, who is said to be building his own political dynasty.
The engaging storytelling and in-depth examination of political figures in “KampanyaSerye” have sparked action from citizen journalists, with some pitching to probe influential politicians and the local politics in their areas.
DZMM, meanwhile, was the first broadcast news organization to bring together electoral candidates in a public forum titled “Bagito o Beterano? The DZMM Halalan 2013 Forum” last February 9 at the University of the East – Manila.
The forum pitted neophyte politicians such as Grace Poe-Llamanzares, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Bam Aquino, Fr. Leo Casas, and former TV reporter Sol Aragones against veterans Richard Gordon, Ernesto Maceda, Jun Magsaysay, Rep. Sonny Angara and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim.
In February, ANC debuted its weekly election program “Harapan 2013” anchored by veteran political journalist Lynda Jumilla. The show replaced “ANC Presents: The Road to 2013,” also anchored by Jumilla, which was a year-long primer that presented comprehensive analyses of the sectors and personalities critical to the elections. It was praised by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility’s Philippine Journalism Review (PJR) Reports for being one of the first TV specials to tackle election-related issues such as the automated elections, political alliances, and senatorial surveys.
ANC’s “Headstart with Karen Davila” also launched its Halalan 2013 series in its “Hot Copy” segment where senatorial candidates are interviewed on national issues and their plans.
Aside from pioneering election specials and on-the-edge news reports, ABS-CBN has launched a first of its kind COMELEC Halalan 2013 mobile app that supplies election-related news updates and information such as precinct locations, voter registration status, a practical voter’s guide, candidate profiles and party-list groups.
Working hand in hand with ABS-CBN in this historic “Halalan 2013” coverage are the Commission on Elections, Department of Foreign Affairs Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Pulse Asia Inc., and Regional Emergency Assistance Communications System (REACT) Philippines, corporate sponsors Globe Telecom, STI College, Universal Motors Corporation, and MyPhone’s Solid Group, Inc. “Halalan 2013” also tapped The Philippine Star, Business World, Manila Bulletin, and Business Mirror as its print partners and Fully Abled Nation, Management Association of the Philippines, YouthVote Philippines, and Alternative Law Groups as its cause partners. Also joining ABS-CBN’s campaign for clean elections are educational institutions such as the University of the Philippines system, La Consolacion College, University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo School of Government, and La Salle Institute of Governance.
UP Prof. Prospero de Vera of UP and UST Prof. Edmund Tayao have already guested on “HARAPAN 2013” and “KampanyaSerye,” and students from partner schools have already been tapped as guest viewers who can ask questions on “HARAPAN 2013.”
For the latest election-related news, watch ABS-CBN, ANC (SKyCable Channel 27), DZMM TeleRadyo (SkyCable Channel 26), tune in to DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, or log on to ABS-CBNNews.com, dzmm.com.ph, bmpm.abs-cbnnews.com, halalan2013.abs-cbnnews.com or follow @ABSCBN_Halalan.
