MEKONG MEDIA FELLOWSHIP EXPERIMENT VIDEO DOCUMENTARY PRODUCTION FELLOWSHIP BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINE MEKONG REGION JOUNALISTS

Philippine media enjoys a reputation of superior broadcast communication skills and talent. The key positions of international and regional news agencies like CNN, Reuters, CNBC, Channel News Asia and ABN are held by Filipinos. Philippine press is free, hard-hitting and bold, while media in most of the other ASEAN countries is still heavily controlled by their governments. Philippine media also has its share of practitioners who abuse the freedom and power of the press and are vulnerable to bribery, blackmail, corruption, etc.. It is in these strengths and weaknesses that may provide our Asian neighbors with excellent samples for learning. With the financial support of the Rockefeller Foundation, the Probe Media Foundation, Inc. took up the challenge of organizing a cross-cultural Asian fellowship on documentary production for development. The targeted media practitioners were from the Mekong Region (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand and Yunnan Province, China) thus naming it the Mekong Media Fellowship Experiment. From June 2 to 24, 2002, the ten participants or fellows received hands-on training in all aspects of documentary production -- script writing, videography, camera handling, directing, reporting and editing, with emphasis on journalistic ethics and social responsibility. The sessions were held in various areas in Luzon, namely Laguna, Manila, Baguio and Hapao, Ifugao province. Though the lectures and activities were important, the most valuable lessons were from the sharing of cultures and media experiences of the fellows. Distinguished journalists, broadcasters, filmakers and artists Cheche Lazaro, Howie Severino, Chichi Fajardo-Robles, Luchi Cruz-Valdez, Booma Cruz, Fruto Corre, Kidlat Tahimik and Joey Ayala took time off their busy schedules to impart their talents, knowledge and experiences with fellow Asian media practitioners and artists. The fellows left the Philippines on June 25, 2002 carrying with them freshly produced documentaries, new ideas, experiences, friendships, and a sub-grant to create another documentary in their home countries. This fellowship will conclude in November 2002 in Bangkok, Thailand for the viewing of their documentaries and media forum. The fellows who joined the training were: Phan Thanh Vu, Reporter, Kien Giang Television and Radio Station, Vietnam Co Van Tai, Reporter, Kien Giang Television and Radio Station, Vietnam Hoang Van Long. Media Staff, Department of Agriculture, Dak Lak Province, Vietnam Heng Chanthol, Researcher, Reyum Institute of Arts and Culture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Lim Van Chan, Director-Art School, Reyum Institute for Arts and Culture, Cambodia Vannaphone Sitthirath, Producer/Director, Lao National TV, Vientiane, Lao PDR Phiphat Phamouang, Cameraman/Editor, Lao Youth Media Board, Vientiane, Lao PDR Sancha Hansana, Cameraman, Lao National Film and Video Archive. Vientiane, Lao PDR Peter Yan Jadie, Reporter, GMA Network News, Manila, Philippines Libay Linsangan Cantor, Freelance writer and videographer, Manila, Philippines