Wednesday, January 28, 2009

NUJP-Ozamiz changes guards



MICHAEL MEDINA
Online editor

OZAMIZ CITY--The local chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP-Ozamiz) realigns itself by selecting its new chair after incumbent president Jovencio Godoy Jr. was selected to the national directorate in Manila.

NUJP is an organization of almost 800 journalists in 57 chapters nationwide, which aims to advance press freedom and promote professional and ethical journalism.

In a recent caucus and get-together activity attended by various tri-media personalities from the different local and provincial outfits, the media organization voted for the succession of Pdi’s Ryan Rosauro from vice president to president.

Then the group voted former board of director and DxDD anchorman Neptalie Batolenio as vice president and unanimously nominated and voted Romy Macalisang of Patrol sa Kalamboan to take the vacated BOD seat of Batolenio.

The complete set of NUJP-Ozamiz officers for 2009 are: Rosauro, president; Batolenio, vice president; Rey Perocho (Ronda Balita), secretary; Arn Antonette Carollo (DxSY-AM), assistant secretary, Expedita Roxas (Radyo nga Bayan), treasurer; Noel Visitacion (DxOC-AM), auditor; Michael Medina (PBM), designate PIO.

Members of the board are Medina, Macalisang, Wendell Talibong (DxDD-AM), Leoncio Medallo (Ronda Balita) and Gregorio Libor Jr. (DxSY-AM).

Under the leadership of Godoy, the chapter was able to conduct and attend several media trainings like the Media Safety Training for Ozamiz Journalists and the various modules of the “Human Rights Reporting Project in the Philippines,” as partnered by NUJP, tackling on human rights and poverty.

The group likewise expresses solidarity with its national chapter by simultaneously holding tributes for journalists during calendared events.

May and October last year, the city chapter came to the aid of Ronda Balita newscaster Adonie Decena and Carollo after both were subjected to harassments in the line of their duties.

Meanwhile, under Rosauro’s tenure, a one-day seminar focusing on extra-judicial killings will be held on Jan. 25 with the Misamis Occidental journalists as participants.

NUJP Director and commission on education and training chair Rowena Paraan is the invited speaker for the activity.