[Requested by Gian Paolo dela Cruz]
THE RECENT HEAT, due to El Nino, has made us feel like we’re in a desert, but that’s not the only thing making waves. Our friend is confronting the reality of TV industry in the 2020s, and the Philippines is a key player in this Post-Peak TV era.
He read on 1News (the Kiwi kind, not the Pinas one) about significant cuts and layoffs at TVNZ and Newshub, with the latter shutting down in the second half of the year. (The Newshub’s fate will happen like our CNN Philippines last January.)
For one, Ruth Cabal, formerly of CNN PH, now hosts Frontline Express on TV5 for 15 minutes every weekday afternoon, mirroring her previous work. But for the rest, they are dispersed to life outside mass media or are facing charges.
He requested that I discuss the pressing issue in our global news landscape: news desertification.
What is a news desert?
A “news desert” is an area or community that has little or no access to local news and information sources. News deserts, like the Sahara Desert, are vast and arid, with a lack of nourishment in the form of timely, relevant, and accurate news coverage.
The Significant Factors
Here are few reasons why we have a news desert:
- Media Consolidation: There’s a trend of media ownership consolidation with a few conglomerates dominating the industry. This concentration of ownership could lead to fewer independent voices and reduced coverage in certain areas.
- Shift to Digital: With the rise of digital platforms (including social media and AI), traditional media outlets have struggled to maintain print or broadcast operations (including the expected but disappointingly delayed DTT shift). This shift may result in less coverage of local news as resources are reallocated or cut.
- Economic Challenges: Economic pressures (e.g., recession, pandemic), particularly in smaller communities, can force the closure of local news outlets due to financial constraints. This closure could result in news deserts in those areas.
- Technological Barriers: In rural or remote areas with limited internet access, residents may have difficulty accessing online news sources, exacerbating the lack of local news coverage. (Though this has made better efforts but it can be used to consume disinformation.)
The Philippines’ case
While the Philippines has a diverse media landscape with a large number of news organizations, a news desert is not impossible.
A 2020 news report by Asia Democracy Chronicles revealed that news deserts are growing, particularly during the pandemic. Local newspapers are facing economic challenges, causing many to close, leaving areas like Dumaguete with limited access to timely news. The loss of a national broadcast giant’s franchise renewal due to the influential ego of the then-leader has reduced reliable news sources, exacerbating many Filipinos’ information deprivation.
The pandemic has reshaped journalism, causing job losses and thinner newspapers. However, there was optimism that community newspapers would recover post-pandemic.
With the pandemic over, the number of community newspapers may have increased or reach pre-pandemic levels.
While we have yet to see the figures and studies to be convinced, this scenario is a real possibility for Mass Communication and Journalism graduates whose prospects of a career in the national success have been dashed. Despite its resources and influence, GMA (the undisputed giant) is unable to provide the same regional news coverage as its former rival; TV5 couldn’t get into local news as they value sports. Meanwhile, the former CNN Philippines, which closed in January, had no plans to broaden its regional news coverage or compromise on its high-quality journalism.
However, apart from personal regret, the same prospective candidates may experience fear when they got the job, including the risk of online death threats and attacks by private armies or individuals influenced by those in power.
Have we reach the inevitability?
The phenomenon may seem unusual to you, but it may be unavoidable when learned helplessness prevails.
However, steps can be taken to address the news desert phenomenon. This includes funding local journalism initiatives, investing in community media, promoting media literacy, and encouraging diverse ownership structures in the media industry. Collaboration among government, media organizations, civil society, and technology companies can also help improve access to trustworthy local news and information.
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