GMA-7, UST tie up to promote responsible use of social media, election advocacy

With social media becoming a part of people’s everyday lives, GMA-7 and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) through the Office of Public Affairs sponsored a forum where the ethical and responsible utilization of online platforms were discussed by GMA 7 personalities before UST students at the Civil Law Auditorium on March 1, 2013. 

 

The Social Media Seminar in UST is the first of a series that was conducted by GMA-7 in different universities and colleges to raise awareness on the accountability of netizens. This is GMA-7’s commitment to educate the people about social media ethics after having been hailed as the first media organization in the world to practice the responsible use of social media and to take a stand against cyber-bullying.

 

Ivan Mayrina, one of GMA-7’s top male broadcast journalists, expounded on Internet protocols and the TV network’s “Think Before You Click” (TBYC) campaign. In his discussion, he enumerated seven do’s and don’ts in social media and showed samples taken from various social networking sites which went “viral.” Meanwhile, the TBYC campaign urges people to be cautious with the content they post on websites and to avoid  “spur of the moment” posting, as Mayrina said, because everything on the Internet is indelible. 

 

The seminar also promoted “Dapat Tama,” GMA-7’s advocacy for an informed 2013 Elections. He said, “We take fairness very seriously as a broadcast philosophy” and also added that the network takes great lengths for unbiased news. The GMA team also presented an AVP to the audience to highlight citizens’ critical judgment in choosing candidates. 

 

Mayrina also stressed the huge impact of ordinary people on politicians through the use of the Internet especially these upcoming elections, he said: “This is a very unique time for you to participate in the elections because you have direct access to the candidate (through social networking sites).”

 

Pia Faustino, Social Media Manager of GMA News Online, discussed Citizen Journalism with the integration of social media. She said that with social media, “the practice of journalism is becoming a two-way process” wherein journalists report to the public while people report back to the media through the comments that they tweet or post. 

 

“With the rise of social media, citizen journalism intensifies as the people are empowered to report news in their immediate circle,” added Faustino. 

 

Faustino also gave a background on news segments for citizen journalists like YouScoop and SaksiAko, which has become an integral part in news operations since 2009. Faustino also mentioned successful media campaigns that evoked the curiosity and awareness of the people by using the Internet as a medium of sharing. 

 

Meanwhile, Jasmine Shewakramani, Social Media producer of GMA-7’s News and Public Affairs, discussed how to be a “YouScooper.” She encouraged the students, saying they “should play an active role in relaying the news. This is our engagement, involvement and empowerment.”

 

Shewakramani also said that the key to having a successful social advocacy is to “create conversations” and use social media to send a message by posting smart content online.

 

Closing the seminar, Chyndy Liberia, manager for Production Services and Special Products of GMA presented an agreement to the audience who she called “Kapusong Tomasino” that they become responsible users of social media, engage everybody to do what is right, be Thomasian Youscoopers to shape the future of the country, not just during the elections but as a way of life. Press release and photos from University of Santo Tomas