International Center for Communication Studies (ICCS)

      Last Sunday, September 1,2013, We attend the ICCS held at AFP theater Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines. We were given lectures on Investigative Journalism from the guest speakers. The guest speakers are Ms. Marites Danguilan Vitug, Mr. Ed Lingao and Ms.Rowena C. Paraan.

     Some Lectures I learned at the International Center for Communication Studies.

     Be curious, Research, online and office, old-fashioned leg work and always get the other side even if they snub you. It was the lesson given by Ms. Marites Danguilan Vitug. If you want to be a journalist you should have curiosity. You should be curious. You should explore and observe. You should experience something new that you don't usually do. Editors should be very strict in observing and implementing ethical standards.You should be prepared to write about anything. Once you write a story, make people enjoy reading it or listening. You should check your spellings and grammars once you write stories.

     Research, online and office. Don't just read newspaper. Watch television, listen to radio news or read magazines. See all the stories, it can help it to make your new story. Journalist should make the public understand that bribes are a no-no. The stories should be well searched. The stories should rich in context and perspective. You talk to people and you listen to them. Always get the other side even if the snub you. Don't be afraid to ask "stupid" questions. You should ask and don't be afraid to ask. Ask people to know what they felt about on the event. Let them explain their words and their story. It gives you more ideas to your story or news.
 
     According to Mr. Ed Lingao, The usual perception are the bulaga camera, hidden camera and confronting camera. Hidden camera is to film people without their knowledge. Bulaga camera makes people surprise.Confronting camera is to entertain people. In reality, Investigative reporting is document and researched based. Investigative reporting is well searched. Investigative reporting is reached in context and perspective. Investigative reporting answers the who, what, when, where, HOW? WHY? SO WHAT ? and WHAT NEXT? The TV element: The pros and the cons is wider or more populist reach. The pros and the cons has a bigger audience. The pros and the cons is potentially stronger impact.