N.B. – This was published in Asian Correspondent (July 19, 10:20 p.m.) where I write a column (Philippine Fantasy).

A student from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman emailed a few questions about my involvement with the community press. Below are my answers.

What community presses have you been affiliated with? What positions did you occupy?

If we loosely define “community press” as media organizations that cater mainly to a defined area and therefore has a defined audience, my affiliation with the so-called community press started as early as college in the late 1980s: I was a reporter for the Philippine Collegian, official student publication of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, where I eventually became its news editor.

Contrary to the popular notion that my “Konteksto” (Context) column started with Pinoy Weekly, it actually started in 2004 with the defunct community-based tabloid Alam ng Cagayan Valley which is based in Tuguegarao City. This publication did not last long.

In 2006, I decided to revive “Konteksto” when I was offered to write more regularly for Pinoy Weekly, which is technically not community-based given its broader Filipino audience in the country and abroad.

What sets a community press apart from a local newspaper or other forms of media?

A local newspaper is part of the community press. Strictly speaking, the word “press” refers to the print media, particularly newspapers and magazines. Through the years, however, “press” has become synonymous with “media” and therefore includes not only print but also broadcast and new media. This would explain why a journalist’s identification card is now usually called “press ID.”

What is the structure of the editorial staff of a community press? Does it differ from the editorial staff of newspapers/magazines?

Just like other media organizations, the community press has a defined hierarchy of publishers, editors, writers, photographers, graphic designers and layout artists, among other positions. Low-budget media organizations in communities, however, normally have journalists who take on various tasks. It’s not surprising to encounter community-based print publications that have only one or two people who do all the work.

How are the issues released? Are there any routine tasks you need to perform every day for that particular newspaper?

From my experience at the Philippine Collegian, the weekly issues were always on time as the work had a defined system. Despite our heavy academic load and other extra-curricular activities, most of the editors and staff were very committed to see an issue through and normally went the “extra mile,” so to speak, to make sure that certain tasks were done. Brownouts, computer breakdowns and other technical problems sometimes happened but these were not used as convenient excuses not to finish the job.

What makes working for a community press different from working for a commercial newspaper/publication?

Those who work for the community press, provided the media organization is not commercial in character, do so out of serious commitment instead of mere employment. They use their journalistic skills and knowledge to inform their community, without expecting to be compensated for their services.

What are the usual  problems encountered in the production of the newspaper?

Financial constraints normally plague the community press and this is primarily the reason many community-based publications come and go.

Being a “community press,” what role does the community perform in the production process?

The community residents do not only serve as audience of a community-based media organization. They are actually mobilized to provide leads with regard to issues that must be covered. Skills training may also be conducted in communities so that residents would eventually become part of the community-based media organization.

Is there any advantage in particular that made you enjoy working for a community press?

Editing and writing for the community press gave me the opportunity to deeply analyze social reality. My interaction with different kinds of people deepened my social consciousness. For me, journalism becomes not a career that one must develop but a commitment that one must pursue.