FPA capacitates report officers on news writing, photojournalism

Written by Information Section  l   Published: 20 December 2021

December 20, 2021 | Quezon City. Designated Report Officers of Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) from the Central and Regional Offices have undergone a Communications Training on December 15 – 16, 2021 at the FPA Multipurpose Hall, BAI Compound, Visayas Ave., Quezon City.

Paul Joseph Nuval, an Educator and Researcher at the Department of Development Communication (DevCom) in Benguet State University, served as resource person. He discussed about the fundamentals of news writing and photojournalism.

News Writing

Explaining what particular activities of FPA would be ‘newsworthy’, he said that the participants must consider those that have social relevance and addresses current issues.

“News articles would help FPA to document its activities; educates readers by walking them through how a process or an activity is done; serves as future references; and allows the agency to comply with report requirements,” he said.

He added that news articles needs to be factual, objective and well-researched.

Photojournalism

On the other hand, Mr. Nuval explained that photojournalism is the visual documentation of newsworthy events and subjects. He said that photos should be action-oriented, people-centered and has composition.

“The greatest subject in the world will not automatically make great image,” he shared.

He encouraged the participants to consider mobile phones that are sensor-based and has high resolution cameras to produce quality images.

FPA Communication and Information Policies and Guidelines

Moreover, the participants have undergone orientation of the FPA Communication and Information Policies and Guidelines. Ivan Layag, Information Officer III of the Planning, Management, and Information Division (PMID), served as the presenter.

In line with this, the training will serve to improve the draft policies and guidelines.

“Such guide document sets the appropriate messaging, communication strategies and channels that would promote a vibrant information and communication exchange between FPA and its stakeholders; build up agency’s network; empower employees and the public; and enable policymakers to have informed decisions,” explained Layag.

He added that the guidelines would put in place a process on how the various public information activities of FPA shall be efficiently managed. “Communication-related outputs may put the reputation of an agency at risk. Accuracy, truthfulness, and error-free contents shall be observed before publication or dissemination,” he ended.