It was just a few days ago when news spread on the internet that PNoy’s aide and speechwriter, Mai Mislang, had posted on her Twitter account insulting comments about the official banquet hosted by the president of Vietnam. It spurred different reactions from the media, bloggers and ordinary people as well. In this week’s episode, Journo features four columnists and bloggers and their thoughts on Mislang’s controversial tweets. Journo tries to look into the possible implications of Mislang’s “mis-tweets” to PNoy’s administration and the Philippines’ diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Watch Journo on November 9, Tuesday, after ‘Aksyon Journalismo’ on TV5.

What is one thing that has become a natural instinct for us nowadays?

Making sure we do not leave home without  our  cellphone.

There was a time when all we were concerned about was not missing an important call when our cellphones rang.  Today, with technology constantly upgraded, we have  cellphones that can take pictures, shoot video and upload our shots to the internet seconds after we have pressed the stop button on our phones.

No need to bring film to be processed, no need to ask someone to air our story.  We have become citizen-journalists with the freedom to choose what story to tell, when and from where we find something with an interesting story to tell.

Big, bulky cameras and the long tedious process of crafting a story has now been reduced making it accessible to anyone who has a keen eye, a genuine interest in news as it happens where you are and most importantly I think, a commitment to seek the truth, verify and be fair to all concerned.

With the elections just days away, we are faced with the challenge of observing and recording a first in our country and in Asia.  The automated election process needs to be watched carefully.  This is the first time since 1907 that the “mano-mano” way of counting our vote will be replaced by machines that will do the count for us.

Let’s be active participants. Make a difference by participating. Be a citizen-journalist.

— Cheche

(you can upload your videos about the campaign, elections or just about anything that affects you on probetv.com, click here.)

Register and become a member of probetv.com. Don’t forget to verify your email address as soon as you get a verification email.

Once registered, log in the website.

Click SHARE on the menu bar.

There are two easy steps in uploading video.

Step One, type in the information about your video:

TYPE in your TITLE.

Then type a DESRIPTION of your video – Please tell us when the video was taken or made and the location. It would be great if you can give a short background of the topic or issue. You can also tell us about your experience in making the video. Share with us what happened behind the scenes and something about yourself, if you want.

CHOOSE the MAIN CHANNEL – choose Citizen Journalism from the dropdown menu

CHOOSE OTHER CHANNELS – choose other channels that you think your video or report is related to. Is it about environmental issues? Is it election related? does it cover art and culture or technology? You can relate it to 5 more categories.

ENTER the TAGS – don’t underestimate the TAG! Viewers who are looking for specific topics and video can type in search words in the probetv search box. So type in tags that will make your video more searchable by your friends and future fans!

CLICK ADD.

Step Two,  choose your file and upload.

Click the BROWSE button to select the video you want to upload.

Find you file (from your computer or external hard drive)

The allowed video formats are mpg, mpeg, avi, divx, mp4, flv, wmv, mov, asf, vob, 3gp, mkv

The maximum file size is 200MB

Once you’ve chosen your file, click UPLOAD.

Then your done. Just give the site a few minutes to convert and post your video in the Citizen Journalism Channel and other channels you clicked.

We cant wait to watch your videos!

Email us if you have any questions at inquiry@probetv.com

- Team ProbeTV

After six months of tested patience, sleepless nights, and arduous assignments, our efforts finally paid off.

Last November 29, 2009, Probe Profiles bagged two awards from PMPC Star Awards for Television for Best Public Affairs Show and Best Public Affairs Show Host for Ma’am Cheche Lazaro. For my part, I believe it was an unexpected win for the team, even though we were very much hopeful that the show will be recognized by the award-giving body. It was an understatement to say that I felt elated that time walking past the stage
and receiving the award with my fellow Production Assistants. Of course, giving our acceptance speech in front of the camera (knowing that we will be seen on TV numerous times after the ceremonies) proved to be nerve wracking yet pride-boosting.

But for me, getting there was not easy after all. The invitation said the dress code should be formal, so I was obliged to follow. There was also pressure from our producers for us to look decent for the occasion. I, for one, had my hair groomed. In addition, I also bought a new pair of jeans, top and shoes just for the occasion (I believed it won’t be a waste of money if we lose, because I can consider it as an investment for the next awards night. By the way, thank you to my coPA, Paterno, for borrowing his father’s suit for me). Jen and Elsie (my fellow PAs) were elegantly dressed in their best cocktail dresses too. We tried to look our best to represent our company, our show and our program host for the event. (I think we did a pretty good job, with the comments we have received after the show was aired over ABS.)
To close this blog, we would like to thank PMPC for giving us the Public Affairs awards. The same goes to our avid viewers and supporters who spent sleepless nights waiting for our show to air. Thank you very much for your continued patronage, and we hope that you will continue to join us every Wednesday night after Bandila for more of Probe Profiles this coming 2010 and beyond. We assure you that we will continue to give you
the brand of reportage that you have seen over the past 23 years.

- Fern Mascariñas, Probe Profiles