BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Panay News clinched three major awards in the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) Community Press Awards at Century Park Hotel in Manila on Thursday, April 25.
The No. 1 Regional Newspaper, which marked its 43rd anniversary just this April 7, was recognized in the following awards categories (daily):
* Best Editorial Page
* Best in Reporting on Migration Issues
* Best in Business and Economic Reporting
The 2023 Community Press Awards was the highlight of the 60th anniversary of PPI, also known as the national association of newspapers and online publications in the country.
This year’s overarching theme, “The Future of Newsrooms: The Viability of Print in an AI Era”, put emphasis on print innovations and sustaining newspaper operations against the backdrop of overwhelming technologies, rowdy social media platforms, dwindling readership and diminishing revenues.
Panay News, a long-time newspaper-member of the PPI, is based in Western Visayas and through the years has expanded its circulation and readership beyond the region, tapping newer technologies such as the internet and social media.
“Panay News is grateful, humbled and inspired by these PPI awards. This recognition is a shot in the arm for us to continue our work and further improve,” according to the Panay News editorial team in a statement.
The annual Community Press Awards recognizes journalism excellence of community publications in various categories: Best in Reporting on Migration Issues, Best in Photojournalism, Best in Environmental Reporting, Best in Business and Economic Reporting, Best Editorial Page, Best Edited Community Newspaper, and Best News Website.
The citations, according to the Panay News editorial team, “validates our mission as a community press in Western Visayas (going 44 years already next year) to inform, educate and move the citizenry to action as envisioned by our founder, the late journalist Daniel G. Fajardo, 43 years ago.”
Here are the other winners:
Daily
* Best in Photojournalism – SunStar Davao (Mindanao)
* Best in Environmental Reporting – SunStar Davao (Mindanao)
* Best News Website – Palawan News (Luzon), SunStar Cebu (Visayas), Mindanao Times (Mindanao)
* Best Edited Community Newspaper – The Freeman (Visayas)
Weekly
* Best in Reporting on Migration Issues – Samar Weekly Express (Visayas)
* Best in Photojournalism – Northern Forum (Luzon)
* Best in Environmental Reporting – Baguio Chronicle (Luzon)
* Best in Business and Economic Reporting – Central Mindanao Newswatch (Mindanao)
* Best Editorial Page – Metropost
* Best News Website – Palawan News (Luzon), SunStar Cebu (Visayas), Mindanao Times (Mindanao)
* Best Edited Community Newspaper – Sunday Punch (Luzon)/PN
