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.)
http://www.teamasia.com/media/2002/05132002.htm