SEASONED media practitioners said fact-checking remains vital in the digital age to maintain credibility, on the second day of the 20th Inkblots last Dec. 5.
John Nery, an opinion columnist from the Philippine Daily Inquirer, highlighted the importance of verification.
“The most important element of journalism is verification. Verification means testing the truth,” he said.
He stressed the importance of choosing arguments wisely and getting every perspective so long as they are based on facts.
“In writing an editorial, choose the strongest arguments and simplify them. Opinion journalism is opinion that is based on a bedrock of facts,” Nery said.
Fr. Nicanor Lalog II, Varsitarian alumnus and former GMA News and Public Affairs reporter, said it is the responsibility of the Church’s media men to facilitate rather than hinder the flow of information to the community.
“Catholic journalism is essentially being Christian. It is being a disciple of Jesus Christ – seeing the dignity of man, unity of the community and truth, honesty and sincerity,” he said.
Sports columnist Joaquin Henson underscored the responsibility of journalists to not only speak the truth but to also reach out to a wider audience.
“You need to use multimedia platforms, develop strong sources and a reengineered writing style in order to make an impact,” he said.
Editorial designer Tony Hirro tackled the importance of balance between design and content in designing and layouting.
“The page is your arena where you can explore the things that you can do and the design you can create. Maximize the materials that you [get] and create a design that easily connects,” he said.
Now on its 20th year, Inkblots is the annual UST national campus journalism fellowship organized by the Varsitarian. J.C.W. Uy and A.V. Ortega
