Blog Watch was conceived from lessons learned in 2004 elections through PCIJ traning of 3 bloggers, where focus of traditional media was on celebrity, scandals, election violence,mudslinging & scandals- exchange of accusations between parties and politicians becomes “entertainment”, campaign becomes talent show, candidates being contestants etc
Blog Watch is hosted by Vibal Foundation’s Philippine Online Chronicles and will be launched on November 24, 2009, from 11 am to 2 pm at the Max’s Restaurant in Bel-Air, Makati City
Blog Watch intends to cover underplayed stories in various formats (podcast, video, articles, commentaries) that will complement traditional media, such as stories that promote voters’ education and automated elections, campaign fund sources and expenditures, background of candidates, personal background, political background. This will be different from the past 2004 election where focus was on celebrities, scandals, election violence, mudslinging, exchange of accusations between parties, and where politicians have become “entertainers”, campaigns have become talent show, and even candidates have come in the form of “contestants”.
Blog Watch hopes to give a good caliber of media coverage in helping build credibility in the results of the 2010 election. Blogger contributors include:
Cool. Blog Watch is a great project!!