THE PHILIPPINE Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) has awarded a grant to The Flame, the official student publication of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters, as part of its efforts to promote awareness about the West Philippine Sea row.
The Flame associate editor Gabriel Oliveros will receive P8,000 for the project, which aims to counter false information about the longstanding maritime dispute.
PCIJ executive director Carmela Fonbuena said the reach of campus publications and the delivery of digestible reports play a crucial role in the public’s understanding of the issue.
“Student journalists can help localize complex geopolitical issues, making the West Philippine Sea dispute more accessible and relevant to students and communities,” Fonbuena said.
“These resources help not only UST students but also the general public better understand the issues,” she added.
The Flame will explain the Philippines’ legal basis for its maritime claim through its man-on-the-street interview segment Vlog Populi. The segment sought Thomasians’ views on how they can help fellow Filipinos gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding the Philippines’ rights in the strategic sea lane. It will be published on The Flame’s social media pages.
PCIJ is offering grants to text reports or multimedia content that tackle key aspects of the West Philippine Sea row, including international diplomacy, national security, foreign influence operations and economic diplomacy.
“There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the West Philippine Sea dispute. Engaging explainers on fundamental issues, such as the legal basis of the country’s claims, are essential in clarifying the facts,” Fonbuena said.
Last month, the PCIJ held a three-day training titled “Under the Depths: A Training on West Philippine Sea Reporting,” to discuss recent developments in the area, including China’s expansion and aggressive actions against other claimants.
Training participants interested in availing of the grant submitted proposals aligned with the topics of the workshop, which took place in Quezon City.
Reports produced and published by the program’s grantees would also be republished on PCIJ’s website and social media accounts.
Founded in 1989, the PCIJ is a nonprofit media agency specializing in investigative reporting in the country and the Southeast Asian region. It also provides financial assistance for in-depth projects in both broadcast and print media. F
