Election propaganda

Three weeks into an election reporting training and I feel so pumped for the upcoming polls next year. As a young journalist, I feel like the election is an event that I couldn't quite fully grasp for a number of reasons. Based on my experience, I used to be always assigned to Bohol. I felt like I needed to push myself for better stories to get past whatever is happening in Cebu. To be in a regional newscast needed a lot of uniqueness and creativity when it came to story angling. It has to be different and non-redundant.

Photos sent in by my colleagues were more or less the same with what was happening in my area. I realized the key was to dive in and be more local. I recently learned that the election isn't just about the day itself but the events leading up to it and after. Right now, Comelec said we are about two months or less to the filing of the certificate of candidacy. That event is the most awaited as we are to know who will be running as our next leaders.

Many of the politicians are now scouring the field, looking for potential funders of their campaigns. Take note, this will not be an ordinary campaign but one that will heavily rely on online machinery with platforms which pegs an end to the pandemic. Premature campaigning will be hidden in the guise of donations for those affected by quarantine restrictions, hospital equipment donations, vaccination policies, and whatnot. The most creative person gets a better hand at winning. Welcome to the Philippines.

Also by now, we should be wary of mudslinging between politicians. It is very obvious; stories about political parties and their change in leaderships without even highlighting the principles and objectives of that said party. It also includes stories that could hurt or damage one's reputation. It has become so easy now to hide under the cloak of anonymity and claim false information to discredit a person.

As a journalist, this is where we exercise our standards in ethics and fact-checking. I remember a national desk used to tell us to "vet, vet, vet", verify before breaking it first on any platform. It pays to have the right information rather than having a ton of engagement on social media. I'm not perfect either, I've had my hiccups in my storytelling but I managed to acknowledge these mistakes and make sure I don't do them again.

The next few days will be visited by politicians who want to woo vote-rich Cebu. They will call it a courtesy call, a personal visit, a merriment, a philanthropic event, or whatever. By then we must keep our ears and eyes open to their presence. Then again, it is up to our judgment on what we want to call it. But we know for a fact that the votes next year will greatly affect the future.