My professor-friend from Ilocos Norte believes that the Mass Communications course is dying in Ilocos Norte because of small enrollees. Here in Vigan, I don’t have the statistics.
Let me limit what I say on just two branches of the course: journalism and broadcasting.
The two may look easy but that is not the case. In journalism, one might have excellent thoughts but if he does not know how to put them in writing, there is a problem. Same is true that something is wrong when an excellent writer has no idea to write. Even if he has ideas, the other to be considered is how to write them.
Broadcasting is not simply talking garbage or senseless commentaries. Wide reading fills up the mind on current national and international issues. It is not enough to rely on the Wikipedia on the computer on top of the console. Stock knowledge on issues is a must.
Same in journalism, in broadcasting, there must be a “Ying and Yang” of knowledge and how to say something to a target audience or the audience as a whole.
Although not necessarily the most important qualification of a broadcaster, he must have a good voice. Other than that, a broadcaster must develop his “on air” personality which can be summed up along the lines of:
a. knowledge on who the audience is
b. method of delivery
c. knowledge of the subject
d. demeanor while on the air
e. professionalism
f. credibility
g. integrity
Hopefully Mass Comm graduate in four years will give Vigan a new aura in broadcasting and in journalism as well.
But how hopeful is our hope?
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