PPI reinforces viability, innovation on 60th anniversary

THE PHILIPPINE Press Institute (PPI) also known as the national association of newspapers and online publications in the country, comes stronger than ever as it celebrates a milestone of trailblazing initiatives for its print members, riding high on its overarching mantra, “building better communities”.

On its 60th year, PPI organizes three assemblies and hosts two major awards from April 24 to 26 at Century Park in Manila: General Membership Meeting, Outstanding Stories on Breast Cancer, National Press Forum, Community Press Awards, and Learning Exchange Forum.

“It’s bigger this year owing to PPI’S diamond year, being the oldest media organization in the country for print since 1964,” PPI executive director Ariel Sebellino said. He added that PPI has come a long way since its comeback in 1987 having been declared moribund during Martial Law years.

This year’s overarching theme, “The Future of Newsrooms: The Viability of Print in an AI Era”, puts emphasis on print innovations and sustaining newspaper operations against the backdrop of overwhelming technologies, rowdy social media platforms, dwindling readership and diminishing revenues. Chong Ardivilla from Texas Tech University will discuss via Zoom the need to innovate the layout and design of community newspapers while Dominic Ligot, founder and chief technology officer of Cirrolytix will zero in on artificial intelligence in the newsrooms. Danny Yong, business adviser from the International Media Support (IMS) will share sustainability models for newsrooms.

The shift to digital media in how information is produced, consumed and distributed, according to PPI chairman-president Rolando Estabillo, has posed significant threats to the traditional press. “At present, our advocacy group finds itself confronting new challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving media landscape.

As it continues to evolve as a media organization dedicated to championing it members’ welfare and interests, the PPI has welcomed news partners such as Novartis Philippines and Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) to boost plans in expanding journalism initiatives and public discourse on health via trainings for journalists, journalism fellowship programs and recognition

nd for outstanding reportage. of PPI’S 60th year. It For its part, NOVARTIS will recognize journalism acknowledges the role of excellence of community media in raising awareness publications in various categories: on breast cancer that “it is Best in Reporting not a death sentence”. The on Migration Issues, Best first Think Pink Awards will in Photojournalism, Best recognize newspapers and in Environmental Reporting, journalists for their outstanding Best in Business and stories on breast Economic Reporting, Best cancer. Editorial Page, Best Edited

Training the spotlight on Community Newspaper, the creation of Media-citizen and Best News Website, Councils, the PPI has a new category in the also partnered with the International 27th edition. In addition, Media Support PHAP will award newspapers (IMS) to stress the importance and journalists for of media accountability their outstanding stories and self-regulation on Health Innovation and under the framework of the Collaboration.

Philippine Plan of Action The ceremony will also for the Safety of Journalists honor its long-time institutional (PPASJ). To date, there partner Nickel are nine Media-citizen Asia Corporation (NAC) Councils which will be “for its exceptional commitment given focus in the forum. and unparalleled Central to a contemporary support to Philippine press, Council is the presence of especially to the PPI member-publications mediation via Alternative across the Dispute Resolution (ADR) archipelago”. The special which will be explained citation also recognizes by Atty. Irene De Torres NAC’S contribution to Alogoc, undersecretary building better communities and executive director of through responsible the Office of Alternative mining.

Dispute Resolution which The PPI 60th anniversary is under the Department of is also being supported Justice (DOJ). Atty. Richard by: International Labour Paat Palpal-latoc, chairman Organization (ILO), SM of the Commission on Prime, SM Investments, Human Rights (CHR) will JTI, San Miguel Corporation talk about a rights-based (SMC), PHINMA, SM approach on the Media-citizen Foundation, Ayala Corporation, Council. BAYAD (a subsidiary

The 2023 Community of MERALCO), UNILAB Press Awards is the highlight and Neitiviti Studios.*(pr)