At the 2010 Civic Journalism Community Press Awards handed out by the Philippine Press Institute last July, jurors commended Cebu Daily News for running the “Siloy is watching” corner.
The daily section is “a triumph of civic journalism, as it encourages citizens to contribute photos of what they see on the road that needs government or private sector attention,” said the panel of judges in awarding the Best Opinion Page trophy to CDN.
The photo corner gets things done by capturing scenes around Metro Cebu where urgent fixing or correction is needed – electric posts about to collapse, leaking pipes, vandalism, jaywalking, overloaded vehicles, rutted roads, street children begging for alms in heavy traffic, and a host of traffic violations.
This year, editors narrowed the focus by placing the names of public officials and department heads in the “attention” line to help make public offices more transparent and officials accountable.
CDN’s photographers—Sam Yncierto, Tonee Despojo, Junjie Mendoza, Lito Tecson and Jay Rommel Labra—take turns photographing subjects .
Many readers also alert the paper.
Some e-mail pictures that they took or text complaints to the news desk. CDN sends a photographer to a site to document the problem.
“Before” and “after” shots are printed when the concerned agency or firm responds to the problem or continues to stall action.
Sometimes this comes with a note of thansksgiving, praise or a reminder that a complete solution is still awaited.
A similar photo corner appears in CDN’s weekly motoring page, “Siloy on the Road” to document traffic violation in Cebu’s streets.
“Siloy is Watching,” however, is not limited to jeers.
CDN also runs photos of noteworthy positive contributions that individuals or groups make for the good of all. Today’s issue is an example. See page 15. /Copy Editor Jason A. Baguia