BA Comm research on Lumad Killings qualifies in AJRC 2017

Post date: 30-Apr-2017 09:59:01

“The study on how the media report the Lumad killings is a step to bring consciousness to the readers and this consciousness, I hope, would eventually bring emancipation to the Lumad, to the other indigenous groups, and to the Filipino people.” These were the parting words of Immanuelle Espiritu, a fourth year student of Bachelor of Arts in Communication in Southern Luzon State University, during her presentation in the Asian Journalism Research Conference, held at the University of the Philippines Diliman, April 25. Espiritu’s study entitled "Hunted in the Promise Land: A Discourse Analysis of the News Reports about Lumad killings" analyzed the construction of the Lumad identity, the valence, and the political context present in the online news about Lumad killings published in national online news site, rappler.com and inquirer.net, and online sites of local dailies, sunstar.com and mindanews.com.

“I believe the study will serve as an eye-opener on the issue about Lumad killings and will eventually bring light on the position of the Lumads and other indigenous groups in the society. Hopefully, this may prompt media practitioners to examine the issue more critically, “ said Espiritu.

Espiritu landed second in the competition by only one point from the champion who come from Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU). The researchers from AdMU studied the Visual Representations of Para-Athletes in Elite Para Sports by Philippine Print News Media and the Perception of the Portrayals by Filipino Persons with Disabilities (PWD).

Espiritu competed with seven other research presenters from the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UPD), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), University of Sto Tomas (UST), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Batangas State University (BSU) and University of the Perpetual Help System (UPHS).

AJRC 2017 Research Competition presenters pose for a souvenir shot;

Espiritu is 10th from the left.

“I am still thinking of ways on how my study can reach the media institution and possibly realize the aim of my study to bring consciousness to the reader but I certainly do not want to just let my research sit on my desk and collect dust.” Espiritu shared.

AJRC, with the theme “The Fourth Estate: Revisiting the Normative Ideals of Journalism in a Multimedia Era” is an international conference that seeks to promote Journalism Studies in the Asian region. The conference was organized by UP, UST, and the Universitas Gadjah Mada Yogyakarta.

Ms. Princess Catherine L. Pabellano served as Espiritu's research adviser. - CAS Website Development Team