Garcia, J.

In our modern digital age, writing for new media has emerged as a dynamic and captivating form of communication. This course offered me such an exciting opportunity to embark on a journey that helped me explore the vast potential of new media writing. By delving into this course, it opens the door to a world where words transcend traditional boundaries and find expression on a multitude of digital platforms. My journey in this course for the whole semester uncovered the nuances of writing for new media; I learned how to harness its power to captivate audiences and shape the narrative landscape.

I experienced some complications at first since it has been a while for me to compose an article in a befitting way for media writing.

When it comes to essays, I have a hard time finding the right words to express the exact thoughts for a specific topic or article; relying on Google is the only choice available at that moment. Although, as the semester progressed, so did my understanding of this course, which breaks down into knowing a lot of principles, requirements, and laws to adhere to.

What I enjoyed the most and also the peak of my knowledge in writing for new media was when we carried out a podcast, which led to our (me and my groupmates) biggest accomplishment in this course. Since I was the one who prepared the script and the flow of our podcast, I had to consider a great deal of things to make it enjoyable and engaging to listen to. The focus of our podcast caters to the LGBTQ+ community, and its situation is recognized as something political. To not press too much on its controversial side, we decided to do an impromptu interview at the very end of the podcast, where we talked about our own experiences of transitioning into our specific sexualities. Throughout the recording, I also did some ad libs to include the audience since that is the main point of the podcast. This activity helped me realize that it is crucial to consider the audience before composing a written statement, especially if it is posted publicly.

Since new media platforms provide for instant response and connection with the audience, keeping the audience in mind helps to develop material that engages and promotes involvement. I understand that, considering the audience, writers can create content that resonates and connects with the intended recipients, ultimately leading to more successful outcomes in the digital landscape.

Contribution

After such a journey in this course, there are a few things that I would like to contribute to new media writing.

User-generated Content

Content creators nowadays focus more on sharing their own lives and giving pieces of advice, hacks, marketing tips, etc. Although it is indeed quite enjoyable to watch, it loses the essence of engagement. User-generated content (UGC) is frequently encouraged on new media platforms in order to increase community participation and engagement. Thus, creators may help by enabling and curating UGC, such as by putting user-submitted tales, reviews, or comments into their writing. This not only adds authenticity and diversity to the content, but it also improves the sense of community and inclusivity.

Ethical and Responsible Content

Next is ethical and responsible content that not only harms the creator but can also involve the whole public. Since new media platforms have arisen, the constant proliferation of misinformation has become more and more destructive as social media progresses. We have to keep in mind that sharing contents also necessitates a sense of responsibility to the audience and society as a whole. Creators shall help by producing work that adheres to ethical standards, protects privacy, and promotes factual and balanced information. They may also contribute to a healthier and more trustworthy new media ecosystem by being cognizant of the impact of their material and following ethical principles.

Writing for new media is a voyage of discovery, creativity, and flexibility. I began on a transformative journey that broadened my grasp of the digital realm and armed me with the skills needed to produce captivating storytelling. I’ve learned to modify writing styles, include multimedia components, and take advantage of the unique opportunities that new media provides. After such progressive and still-advancing technology, let us continue to embrace the ever-changing world of new media writing, harness its potential, and produce material that connects with our consumers, thus defining the future of digital communication.

New possibilities and problems are constantly emerging, most notably the outcome of fast advancement and deployment of artificial intelligence technology. While the widespread use of these technologies may open up new avenues for broadening media offerings, combating misinformation, and improving data-driven journalism— schemes such as algorithmic content selection and user customization, on the other hand, might pose hazards and social concerns.

Digital Artist Opinion

As a digital artist, the new media is our environment; if it is tainted with prolific threats that can surpass our abilities and skills, it’ll feel like our field of expertise is being snatched from us in our domain.

The rapid advancement of AI technology in the digital art world has taken hold of many opportunities that are meant for artists. It also encourages the public that everyone can do what artists can by just typing prompts or lifting a few fingers to click on basic information that can help generate a result on par with an artist’s prowess.

Raising Ethical Dillemas

Furthermore, the use of AI algorithms in art creation raises ethical dilemmas.

Data privacy, bias in algorithmic decision-making, and potential exploitation of AI-generated artwork can impact artistic practices' integrity and moral implications.

As AI technology continually evolves, it considers requiring digital artists to stay updated and adapt their skills to incorporate AI tools and techniques. Making artists succumb to the leverage of AI technology for their creative processes is like throwing away the years of practice and the knowledge they gain in art school.

In my opinion, the only conforming AI has been those that assist in making something improve its quality, help differentiate information and misinformation, discover statistics or knowledge with legal permission, etc.

Soulless Art: Lack of Creativity and Emotion

Although AI possesses possible means that can contribute to artistic practices, it is critical for artists to achieve a balance between using AI technology for inspiration, support, or efficiency and keeping their own artistic voice and personal creative discovery. Artists should be aware of the possible limitations and negative consequences of depending only on AI technology, with the goal of using it as a supplementary tool rather than a total replacement for human creativity.

Credits to the rightful owners of the selected pictures.

Reference

Habana Et. Al.'s works received an underwhelming amount of sales, while respondent Robles profited from them without authorizing their material or acknowledging them as one of the references. The petitioner also spent a costly amount to take legal action against the respondent for hiring legal representation (a lawyer) and the associated expenses for filing the lawsuit, conducting investigations, and presenting evidence in court.

Newsweek, Inc. vs. Intermediate Appellate Court

A libelous act can be determined when there's strong evidence of a defamatory statement that is directed at an individual. Another circumstance is when the complainant successfully demonstrates that the defendant acted negligently or with actual malice in publishing the false statement. In the view of the complainants, the petitioner’s article portrayed that the island of Negros Occidental is dominated by landowners and planters that exploit their workers and that they tend to brutally evict them with impunity. The complainants then allegedly stated that the article is to publicly ridicule them, that it contains falsehood, and they demand the petitioners pay them P1M, which later led to court, where Newsweek, Inc. successfully defended their side against the members of the sugarcane planters (complainants). The judge ordered "dismissal" in this case as it does not appear to be a libelous act when the article does not mention anything particular regarding the allegations of the complainants.

NPC reminds media: Balance freedom of press, right to privacy

Privacy is a fundamental human right recognized by international treaties and numerous national laws. It refers to a person's right to regulate the acquisition, use, and disclosure of their personal information, as well as their right to be free of unwelcome interference in their personal life. There are reasons why privacy protection is crucial:

Personal well-being comes first and should be respected and guarded. It enables people to keep portions of their lives private and away from public scrutiny, safeguarding their emotional and psychological well-being.

Individuals are protected from harm in a variety of ways by privacy laws. It contains safeguards against stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraud, and other hostile actions that could compromise personal information.

Privacy is essential for maintaining trust in personal relationships, professional interactions, and societal institutions. The ability to share information in confidence, such as with healthcare providers, lawyers, therapists, or journalists, relies on the expectation of privacy. Protecting privacy promotes trust and encourages individuals to seek assistance, engage in open dialogue, and access essential services.

Importance of ethical principles in examining the content published on new media

Ethical principles are essential for responsible and trustworthy journalism, information dissemination, and online interactions. These principles emphasize accuracy, transparency, accountability, privacy, diversity, inclusivity, sensitivity, and avoidance of harm. Accuracy and truthfulness are essential for combating misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. Transparency builds credibility and fosters a relationship of trust between media outlets and their audiences. Privacy and consent should be respected.

Any changes made to the content of a piece of textual or multimedia material refer to content changes. Some examples of content changes are: changing or updating the information to the current and accurate one, adding and removing content (adding new information to the consisting content or removing irrelevant details), rewriting or rephrasing sentences to make them more concise, clear, and engaging, etc. These types of modifications are essential when creating content.v

Before posting content on social media, the user should be aware of the possible reactions of other users that may see it and must be in a stable mental state, precisely if the post implies the need for feedback; this is why making use of adjustments to appeal to the audience is crucial. Some netizens may constructively criticize you; some may stoop so low and reply with words that are considered an attack toward you and not to the content anymore. Despite the pros and cons, we’ll lean more on the positive side.

Feedback assists us in developing and maintaining healthy connections; also forming a better understanding of how others see us and our behavior by giving and receiving feedback. When it comes to professional development, it is a tool for assessing performance and a history that shows what is needed to improve in terms of skills or mindset. The significance or insignificance of feedback depends on several factors, including its context, quality, and whether it acts upon it or not.

Pasig City, Philippines – In a show of support for workers' rights, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has asked Regent Foods Corporation (RFC) to drop the charges against the protesting workers arrested last week.

The workers were arrested and charged with illegal assembly, resistance, and disobedience to authorities while conducting a peaceful demonstration outside the RFC factory in Pasig City.

"I urge Regent Foods to reconsider their decision to press charges against their workers who were simply exercising their right to protest peacefully," Mayor Sotto stated. "We stand with the workers in their fight for better working conditions and fair wages."

RFC, however, responded to Mayor Sotto's demand by defending its choice to charge the protesting workers. RFC cited disruption to corporate operations and employee safety as reasons for pressing charges.

The corporation also claimed that it has been in talks with the workers' union for months and has previously offered various benefits and incentives to employees, including a 5% raise in salary and increased health coverage.

Regardless, the workers' union has maintained their protest, claiming that the company's proposals are still insufficient and that they are fighting for a livable wage and better working conditions.

Mayor Sotto's appeal for RFC to withdraw the charges has received backing from several labor organizations and people, who have also urged the company to address the workers' concerns.

The Pasig City government has also offered to mediate a settlement between the employees' union and RFC.

The situation of the protesting workers remains a critical issue in Pasig City as the debate continues, underlining the need for better labor policies and equitable treatment of workers in the Philippines.

Reference:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/15/terrorists-isis

The article questions the westernized view of ISIS as terrorists acting out of religious fanaticism or a thirst for power. Instead, the authors claim that ISIS is a complex social organization with a cohesive ideology and a well-organized structure that seems to dissatisfy people worldwide.

The information in this article came from a primary source: interviewing members of ISIS. They also based their argument on analyzing the group’s propaganda and engaging in extensive fieldwork.

The authors argue that ISIS is more than just a terrorist organization; it is also a social movement seeking to establish a new society based on its interpretation of Islamic law. Thus, I concluded that this article is an opinionated one. By experiencing firsthand only one side of the two clashing arguments, it is evident that the authors are implying that ISIS members are not religious extremists but a group of people motivated by a sense of injustice, marginalization, and disillusionment with their current situation. However, there is nothing in the article that stated about the authors engaging and doing research on the areas affected by the ISIS group.

China's role in the Ukraine conflict is complex and multifaceted. It does have implications for EU relations as it will serve as a determining factor for EU-China ties; as stated by the EU President. China has been relatively quiet on the issue of Ukraine but is likely watching events closely and could play a key role in resolving the conflict.

One potential area where China's involvement could be significant is in the United Nations Security Council, where China is a permanent member with veto power. Consequently, China had a responsibility to help advance peace based on Ukraine's territorial integrity and the departure of invading Russian forces. Although China has taken a cautious approach by urging a peaceful resolution and voicing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity while retaining tight economic relations with Russia. This proposition might result in possible implications for the EU’s relations with both Russia and Ukraine.

Eventually, the EU sanctioned Russia for its acquisition of Crimea and assistance for separatists in eastern Ukraine, while also attempting to aid Ukraine's economic and political progress. According to EU President Usrula von der Leyen in a speech in Brussels, “Any peace plan which would in effect consolidate Russian annexations is simply not viable. We have to be frank on this point”.

"How China continues to interact with Putin's war will be a determining factor for EU-China relations going forward".

Reference:

Solitude≠Loneliness

One prevalent misunderstanding about solitude is that it invariably results in loneliness. However, this is not always the case. Loneliness, which involves the feeling of separation or disconnection from people, is not in any way the same as solitude. It does not mean that people who prefer this are friendless; empathy isn’t necessarily needed in this topic. Furthermore, solitude may be a beneficial and fulfilling experience that allows people to contemplate, regroup, and get a better understanding of themselves. This can be good for those who haven’t yet found their true selves or are still having an existential crisis; secluding yourself from others is a step needed. Isolation can also promote mindfulness and creativity, resulting in better mental and emotional wellness. There’s a reason why people spend hours having their me-time. Therefore, it is critical to distinguish between solitude and loneliness and to value the benefits of disconnecting and spending time alone.

I chose this topic because I’m someone who always seeks solitude. I get drained whenever I hang out with friends; that’s why, after going home, I have to spend time doing my hobbies, like reading, to get recharged and bring back a peaceful state of mind. My perspective on solitude has always been positive. Based on my experience, I have yet to encounter any cons or difficulties dealing with being alone, except for the busybodies who always try to give unsolicited advice, trying to act mature without knowing anything. They always ruin it for me. Nevertheless, they are irrelevant to my growth, and I will still pursue the peace I am yearning for.

There has always been a decline in Philippine Education and to unravel this issue, the system needs to meet a qualified standard. The Philippines is a developing country with minimal educational resources. Due to these limited financial resources, the country's education system is constantly battling to deliver the merits of education. This yet-to-be-achieved crisis has long been overdue and is suspending the potential of our students. Although education is still one of the most underfunded areas of government service, basic education remains one of the country's top priorities.

PIDS researcher Adoracion Navarro evaluated the adequacy of the school's infrastructure regarding basic needs, hygiene, and access to information technology. Results of this study are: The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Region IV-A, Region XI, and the National Capital Region all have classroom-student ratios that are higher than the 1:40 target ratio set by the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017–2022. This is according to recent data from the Department of Education (DepEd). This suggested that there were overcrowded classrooms in these areas, according to Navarro (PIDS Study, 2022). This inadequacy disadvantages students and affects their learning outcomes, affecting the country's overall economic and socio-cultural development. According to Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), “Since 2018, governmental spending on basic education has alternated between plateauing and declining, while spending on defense and infrastructure has climbed." PBEd also noted that local governments are not making full use of their education money. In fact, the average Special Education Fund (SEF) utilization rate in 2020 was just 67.8 percent. This causes a downfall in fund management, in which investments are being used inefficiently. 

In spite of efforts exerted by the government to address these challenges, many public schools remain underfunded. Legislators have boosted the education budget in recent years, but it is still insufficient to fulfill the country's education sector's expanding demands. Private institutions continue to provide high-quality education, but only a small percentage of the population has access to them. Therefore, poor school funding and resources in the Philippines remain a concern that must be addressed in order to ensure that every Filipino has access to quality education.

Reference:

Filoteo, M. (Sept. 26, 2021). The Philippine Education Crisis. Philippine Institute for Government Studies. https://pids.gov.ph/details/the-philippine-education-system-in-crisis