|
ICT Journalism
Gets Its Due
By Michael Alan Hamlin
May 13, 2002
One of the concerns of the Information
Technology and E-Commerce Council (ITECC) is disseminating factually
accurate information about the Philippines' information and communication
technology (ICT) sectors to key publics like investors, entrepreneurs,
and investment analysts. That includes getting this information
out regularly, so that awareness of the Philippines' emerging ICT
sectors builds among those constituencies. In other words, ITECC
wants the Philippines' ICT sectors to be top-of-mind among people
who matter most.
There are several reasons why it's sometimes difficult
to disseminate information that has to do with technology. The most
important reason now is that technology has lost a lot of its luster.
The average technology stock has lost 75 percent of its value since
the tech meltdown began two years ago. Another reason is that technology
isn't easy to write about. For one thing, technology can be very
complicated, and so it's difficult to understand. And, it's always
changing. Taking a subject that is inherently complicated and is
constantly evolving and explaining it in a way that non-techies
understand is a huge challenge.
But it's also a challenge that must be met. Despite
the lost luster, technology drives product and service innovation
in every company and every industry. When it comes to economic development
in general, technology is an efficient creator of value-added jobs.
It's not a fast ticket to development, but it certainly is a faster
ticket to development than traditional development models. That's
still true, and it will be for a long time. Probably forever.
There are a number of ways to disseminate information
about the Philippines ICT sectors. But of all the communication
channels available media is probably the most effective and timely.
For this reason, it's important to have journalists not just assigned
to ICT beats, but journalists that have an interest in technology,
understand it, and are enthusiastic about reporting its development.
Philippine ICT journalists understand this. In an effort
to strengthen ICT reporting they formed a kind of press club, called
the CyberPress six or seven years ago, according to Jerry Liao,
the producer and host of InfoChat. The club is an informal switchboard
for trading information, but also organizes and attends seminars
on both writing and technology. It provides a means of continuing
education and skills and knowledge enhancement.
Many in the ICT sectors appreciate that effort, which
the ICT journalists took upon themselves, and have looked for a
way to acknowledge the work and role of ICT journalism. And so this
year, for the first time, Microsoft and IBM have formed an alliance
to present what will be called "The Excellence in ICT Journalism
Awards." The project is being conducted in cooperation with
the Asian Institute of Journalism, which is administering the awards
process and supervising the evaluation of submissions. (Full Disclosure:
Microsoft and IBM are clients of my firm, TeamAsia, and we have
been retained to organize the awards.)
There are three main objectives for the awards. First,
the program is intended to encourage ICT journalists in popularizing
and humanizing ICT. Even in this day and age, there are lots more
people who shun talk of technology - and enjoy only an uneasy relationship
with their keyboards - than embrace the next big idea. Second, the
awards will recognize ICT journalists who excel in their field.
Finally, the program is expected to promote the development of online
journalism (I am consistently surprised at the number of people
who tell me they have given up on hard copy reading in favor of
"surfing" the news.).
There are five different categories encompassing both
print and online journalism, and news, feature, and column writing
(No, I wasn't allowed to submit. Unfortunately.). And there are
even cash prizes. Not big prizes, but worthwhile prices, ranging
from P10,000 to P25,000. The real prize, though, is the honor of
being judged by impartial, expert evaluators, and having your work
held up as an example of the product of professional journalism.
That sets a standard for others to aspire to, and to surpass.
Our firm has quite a lot of experience with rigorous,
respected awards programs, and we've seen how they can energize
both individuals and entire organizations. Seeing that impact is
one of the most important benefits of the work we do. And so we're
delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of this program.
We think that others will also find the program a project that deservers
their support.
And I have good news. There's room for other organizations
that share the interest of Microsoft and IBM in supporting ICT journalism
to participate. If you represent one of those organizations, you
know where to contact me (See below.). But you'll have to hurry.
The first awards ceremony will be conducted on June 20. Submissions
for this first year are already in, and the evaluation process is
beginning.
There are a lot of noble and worthy projects to invest
in that give something back to the country and the market that supports
our businesses. This is certainly among the most important.
(Michael Alan Hamlin is the managing director of consultancy TeamAsia
and the author of three books on Asian economies and companies.
His latest book is Marketing Asian Places, of which he is co-author.
His e-mail address is mahamlin@teamasia.com.ph.)
|
