IDEALS capacitates youth in communities for human rights reporting to strengthen defense for truth and press freedom.
‘Dignidad’ microsite, a repository for human rights stories created by community journalists, is set to be launched this June to foster civic engagement, raise pressing local issues and defend the truth.
At least 27 stories by youth advocates will be featured in Dignidad which will tackle the right to education, overcoming poverty, effects of Duterte’s “drug-war” campaign, teenage pregnancy, human rights defenders and many more.
“Itong mga kwento na ito ang tutulong sa atin para i-safeguard ang truth. We just need to communicate hope, not fear,” Media and Communications Program Manager Mikhaela Dimpas said.
The organization believes that stories by the community, for the community, are best told by people on the ground, who hold personal and firsthand experiences of such issues. With support from Bread for the World, IDEALS started the Mulat: Youth for Community Media and Human Rights Fellowship program that seeks to empower the youth to become human rights advocates and community patrollers through multimedia storytelling.
Fellows underwent lectures on human rights, community journalism, solutions journalism, mobile journalism and paralegal training. Workshops were also conducted to enhance their media production skills such as newswriting, photography, videography and graphic design.
Philippine media has been under attack for years. During the past Administration, journalists experienced red-tagging, harassment and attacks. Now under Marcos Jr. administration, threats of massive disinformation, historical distortion and safety of journalists. Social media is being weaponized for political agenda and personal interests especially of those who are in power.
“We continue to believe that press freedom is the cornerstone of our democracy. That’s why we need to keep on capacitating our communities to defend their truth and amplify their voices because it’s every Filipino’s right,” Media and Communications Program Manager Mikhaela Dimpas said.
IDEALS started its community media in Marawi City through the S’bang Ka Marawi community radio which provided news and updates that are crucial after the Marawi siege. To date, there are over 500 community journalists trained in the BARMM area including women, campus journalists, and peace actors.
Stay tuned for other community stories that will be uploaded in the microsite.
