A FACULTY member from the UST Department of Journalism has emerged as one of the country’s most influential political news creators, ranking 12th in a survey by an overseas think tank.
Asst. Prof. Christian Esguerra, a former Varsitarian editor in chief and assistant adviser, figured prominently in the study, titled “Mapping News Creators and Influencers in Social and Video Networks,” by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
The study, conducted by Nic Newman, Amy Arguedas, Migali Mukherjee, and Richard Fletcher for the United Kingdom-based institute, asked respondents to name journalists and creators they paid the most attention to on social and video networks.
Veteran journalists Jessica Soho and Karen Davila ranked first and second, respectively, while Esguerra emerged as the sole independent political news creator in the tally.
Other media figures who made the list were Korina Sanchez, Kara David, Ted Failon, Mel Tiangco, Raffy Tulfo, Noli de Castro, Atom Araullo, UST journalism alumnus Arnold Clavio, Bernadette Sembrano, and Maria Ressa.
In the survey, the Reuters Institute noted that “from the list above, only Christian Esguerra fits our definition of news creator in the political sphere” following his career in mainstream media, and starting as an independent YouTuber and podcaster in 2022.
“His show, Facts First, aims to combat disinformation by providing facts and context on burning issues in Philippines politics,” it said.
“Facts First,” known for incisive discussions on national issues, is aired live on YouTube and Facebook daily.
Esguerra completed his undergraduate degree in journalism in 2000. In 2011, he finished a master’s degree in theology, majoring in social-pastoral communication.
He served as managing editor and anchor of ANC Early Edition from 2018 to 2021. He hosted “After the Fact,” a political talk show, from 2020 to 2021.
Esguerra was a reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer from 2000 to 2015 before joining ABS-CBN News as a political correspondent.
Esguerra received the Marshall McLuhan Fellowship in 2020. In 2019, he received the Award of Distinction from the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility and the Titus Brandsma Award for Emergent Leadership in Journalism.
