CEBU ONLINE NEWS PRESS CORPS: BLUEPRINT FOR VERIFIED ONLINE NEWS TO COMBAT FALSE INFORMATION

Cebu Online News Press Corps, a group for independent online news content creators and social media influencers, is ready-prepared to assist Cebu by providing verified online news to support the fight against the spread of false information.

The group is organized by RMA News founder Robby M. Alugar and had its launching and induction of the 26 founding members last Saturday, September 17, 2022, at Golden Prince Hotel and Suites.

The Cebu Online News Press Corps is composed of content creators, journalists, bloggers, and media influencers. It is driven by the desire to achieve professionalism and enhance skills among social media and online content creators as well as influencers. The organization also aims to promote responsible social and traditional media use by sharing accurate information.

In his speech, he underscores the importance of delivering factual news especially since social media, a prominent source of information, is bombarded by means of faux information. He stressed that online platforms have a role in nation-building and economic development, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With our cumulative vision, we can set forth a blueprint to move forward, improve the way we deliver news en masse, and be a noble instrument of economic progress,” Alugar said. 

He stressed the importance of promoting responsible use of traditional and social media, and solidarity in order for the organization to attain its goals. 

Alugar disclosed that Cebu Online News Press Corps will initiate training and activities that would help enhance the group skills, such as news gathering and photography. The group is also open to brand partnerships, especially in promoting homegrown Cebuano products and services.

Despite its early conception, Cebu Online News Press Corps is already connected with premier Cebu-based business organizations such as the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the Cebu Business Month 2022 and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry for Mandaue Business Month 2022.

The group is currently working with its media partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. for the “Gabii sa Kabilin.”

An AVP was shown to officially launch the organization, followed by the presentation of the founding members of the Cebu Online News Press Corps. The group has 26 founding members coming from diverse platforms. Some members work for TV, Radio, Print, and independent online news websites as well as those who are also members of different digital organizations.

The newly-established organization will work closely with its members to continuously monitor and help ensure the implementation of their respective bylaws, which they will form soon after its launch.

The Region 7 Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Melanie Ng, administered the oath of commitment of the members. The dynamic Governor of PCCI also gave her congratulatory statement to Cebu Online News Press Corps.

According to Governor Ng, the group’s formation is relevant and timely now that digital consumers are able to receive information at lightning speed. “Keep up the good, responsible, and accurate work that you do because we all need that,” Ng said.

She lauded the group’s vision and reminded them of the value of unity. “There is always strength in numbers. If we do things as one, we can do things faster,” Governor Ng added.

Philippine Information Agency Regional Director Ms. Fayette Riñen gave an inspirational message to the organization. She highlighted the communication practitioners’ role in the age of the Internet. Dir. Riñen said that news presenters, regardless if they belong to the traditional media, have the capacity to empower people by sharing relevant, timely, and accurate information beneficial to the local community. She added that it is especially true now that the same platform, the Internet, is being used to sow disinformation.
   
Cebu Online News Press Corps founding member, Minerva Newman, introduced Consul Virgilio Espeleta as the event’s keynote speaker. The honorary consul general of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh began his speech by congratulating the group for its plans and initiatives.

He reminded Cebu Online News Press Corps to anchor their group with its purpose which is to deliver truth by adhering to the principles, tenets, and code of ethics that every journalist must follow. “The purpose of journalism is thus, to provide citizens with the information they need to make the best possible decision about their lives, their communities, their societies, and their governments,” Espeleta stated. “Without journalism, the world would be ignorant,” he added.

Consul General Espeleta also noted that media can be the bearer of truth or lies which is evident in the existence of trolls and various selective news reporting and advertisements.
     
Founding Members Robby Alugar, Abigail Caruana, and Noreen Tormis awarded PIA Regional Director Ms. Fayette Riñen, PCCI Region 7 Governor Ms. Melanie Ng, and Consul General Virgilio Espeleta a token of appreciation. To end the event, Ms. Noreen Tormis, founding member of the Cebu Online News Press Corps, delivered the closing message on behalf of the group. The celebratory program came to an end with a fellowship among its founding members.     

Prior to the launching of the group, the founding members of the organization joined the Cebu Press Freedom Week Invitational Mixed Volleyball Tournament organized by the Cebu Media Volleyball Club at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym.

The grand launching and induction ceremony of the Cebu Online News Press Corps is made possible through the generosity of the following major sponsors: Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, GT Cosmetics Manufacturing Inc., and Office of Senator Imee R. Marcos.

MWell PH Health App by Metro Pacific Health Tech Corporation (MPHTC), SM Supermalls, Seda Ayala Center Cebu, NUSTAR Resort & Casino, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., Globe Telecoms, PR Works and RMA News served as the group’s minor sponsors. The group also expressed its gratitude for Ng Khai Development Corp., Oi Taho –  your all-time favorite classic taho and San Miguel Brewery. | WITH PR