2023 Annual Community Press Awards

Live Broadcast via Facebook

Philippine Press Institute (PPI)

2022 CIVIC JOURNALISM COMMUNITY PRESS AWARDS

Awarding Ceremonies: April 25, 2023

Winners Citations

BEST IN REPORTING ON MIGRATION ISSUES

WINNER for the WEEKLY: BAGUIO CHRONICLE (Luzon)

The Baguio Chronicle is awarded Best in Reporting on Migration Issues for a weekly publication, given its stories originally produced that captured community-situated realities of its region’s overseas Filipino workers. Its dedicated OFW section or page also helped raise awareness on migration issues with a balance of stories originally produced and published news releases from migration stakeholders. The original stories of The Baguio Chronicle showed how an OFW issue that is both national and international in scope was experienced locally. This approach is the ideal for community newspapers to produce original, community-located migration journalism.

BEST IN PHOTOJOURNALISM

WINNER for the DAILY: SUNSTAR DAVAO (Mindanao)

What made the difference in awarding Best in Photojournalism for a daily newspaper to SunStar Davao is how the photographs were sourced and used. The newspaper employed a photojournalist, be it as a staff or a correspondent, in sourcing the photographs. Having a trusted source of photographs means the paper had little to worry about the vetting process, and the integrity and ethics, of the image. SunStar Davao used handout photos sparingly, which is highly commendable. As for usage, the paper exhibited good practice in its choice of photographs to be used as banner photo, together with its proper placement in relation to the headline. As a community newspaper, the choice of publishing a photograph that has positive but newsworthy content on page one is commendable. The paper also worked on the proper placement of photos in relation to the surrounding stories in the page layout, thus ensuring effectiveness and clarity. It also made sure that all photos had proper captions and were properly attributed to their source.

BEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

WINNER for the DAILY: SUNSTAR CEBU (Visayas)

SunStar Cebu deserves to win the Best in Environmental Reporting for a daily newspaper. Besides having published at least one environment story in about 80 percent of its issues, almost all its pages–from front page banner, to editorials, columns, and spot and features—carried environment stories. They discussed a wide range of topics that have impact on the community, and also global level issues that gave the readers a holistic view. Despite their having been “written in a hurry” for a daily newspaper that requires immediate publication, many stories were explained for the understanding of the readers and provided background and more voices. Also, the follow-up stories highlighted issues that called the attention of local government leaders.

 WINNER for the WEEKLY: LUZONWIDE NEWS CORRESPONDENT (Luzon)

Luzonwide News Correspondent is the hands-down winner for Best in Environmental Reporting for a weekly publication. The 70 percent of the newspaper’s issues that were submitted focused on the environment, with an average of two stories for each issue. Generally well-written with background and multiple sources, especially from the marginalized sector, the stories explained the local community’s and general environment concerns to help the readers have a clear understanding of the issues. With the rich sources of information, each environmental issue could be well understood by the readers, especially those in the communities.

BEST IN BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC REPORTING

WINNER for the DAILY: SUNSTAR CEBU (Visayas) 

SunStar Cebu is awarded Best in Business and Economic Reporting for a daily publication for providing clear, consistent and comprehensive coverage on – and various perspectives that enrich the reader’s understanding of – business activity in and around the province and the region.

BEST EDITORIAL PAGE

WINNER for the DAILY: THE FREEMAN (Visayas)

The Freeman is awarded Best Editorial Page for a daily publication for distinguished editorial writing – readability and clarity, and consistent focus on community issues through daily homegrown editorials and opinion columns, offering readers a diversity of views.

WINNER for the WEEKLY: BAGUIO CHRONICLE (Luzon)

The Baguio Chronicle is awarded Best Editorial Page for a weekly publication for distinguished writing – engaging editorials that focused on a variety of local, regional and national issues, at the same time shining a light inward on the plight of journalism and the community press, and for taking on the task of confronting disinformation through its fact-checking pages.

BEST-EDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

 WINNER for the DAILY: SUNSTAR DAVAO (Mindanao)

For featuring stories that have an impact on the local community, giving a voice to the marginalized, and elevating the reading experience with its beautiful layout and use of blurbs and infographics, the Best Edited Community Newspaper for a daily publication goes to SunStar Davao. SunStar Davao shone the spotlight on issues such as a mushroom project for former rebels, bakuna by the sea initiative, a feature on a ballet school, a feature story on Davao tablea, Tagum’s 1st tribal wedding, basura patrol drive, and Mt. Apo’s temporary closure, among others.

WINNER for the WEEKLY: BAGUIO CHRONICLE (Luzon)

For focusing on stories that have an impact on local readers, prioritizing gut issues, and shining a spotlight on the need for fact-checking and verification, the Best Edited Community Newspaper for a weekly publication goes to Baguio Chronicle. Baguio Chronicle showed consistency in pursuing local issues and serving as a catalyst for community action. Among the stories that it focused on were the following: Cordillera devolution plan, Baguio going above 100 percent COVID vaccination level, a mobile hope program for PWDs, progressive food systems, Cordillera’s spice rack, IP barangays in Apayao pushing for renewable power facility, domestic farm tourism, an increase in suicide incidents, telemedicine as lifeline for isolated patients, a feature story on tobacco farmers, and the mapping of heirloom rice varieties.

Compiled by the Awards Secretariat

Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC)

April 20, 2023