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Late Breaking News From the PCIJ Blog

July 16, 2005

If you are at all interested in the GloriaGate Tapes, the place to go to is the PCIJ Blog. They were the first to upload a transcript of the tapes and when INQ7 put down the tapes from their site, the PCIJ bloggers put them back right up.  More than that, the PCIJ bloggers have done the most to unravel the meaning behind the 150 taped conversations. 

Now, they’ve gone even further.  A few days ago, Sheila Coronel reported that the President actually says the word “dagdag” in one audio-enhanced conversation.  And Alecks Pabico revealed a list of people caught on the tape which includes former Presidential Candidate, Fernando Poe, Jr. who apparently placed a call to Commr. Garcillano, too.

When I learned about PCIJ’s plan to set up a blog, I was very enthusiastic.  I knew they would set the standard for citizen journalism not only because they were excellent and well-respected journalists themselves but that they were not directly or exclusively affiliated to any media outlet.  Loyal only to themselves and their cause and free from the restraints of traditional media, there was reason to believe that the PCIJ blog would do great things and set an example for other journalists to emulate. 

I was expecting a lot. But with everything that’s happened so far, I can safely say they’ve exceeded my expectations.

Posted by JJ Disini at 7:04 am | permalink | comments[2]

Learning to be a Citizen Journalist

Been to busy to blog.  I haven’t found enough time nor material to write.  On Thursday, I was going to try something new — be a citizen journalist.  I would cover an event at the UP College of Law, take notes, take pictures, record the event and write a blog entry.  I  took my laptop up to the Sta. Ana Room at the 3rd Floor of Malcolm Hall to wait for Former Cabinet Members and one-fifth of the “Hyatt Ten” namely Mr. Juan Santos and Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles, former DTI Secretary and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process respectively.  The event was called “The President’s Ex-Men” and was organized by the Paralegal Volunteers Organization (PVO) and UP Women In Law (WINLAW). 

So, I did everything I set out to do. I took 2 photos with my cellphone, placed my MP3 Player near the speaker, and with my laptop, started taking notes.  But even with the best intentions, some things always go awry.  And that was not my day.  First, I didn’t save the file with my notes and just shut my laptop.  It would later crash and take the file with it to cyberspace heaven.  Second, I placed the MP3 player far too close to the speaker that the audio was terrible.  I haven’t had the heart to download the pics but given my luck, they’re probably off focus and not good enough to upload. 

So, being a citizen journalist is hard.  Who knew? 

I’m now waiting for this connection to  . . . . .

Posted by JJ Disini at 6:53 am | permalink | comments[1]