UP revives Graciano Lopez Jaena workshop for community journalists

The University of the Philippines College of Media and Communication (UPCMC), in partnership with the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), is reviving the Graciano Lopez Jaena Workshop for Community Journalists, scheduled for June 3 to 6 in Iloilo City.

First launched in 1985 by former UPCMC Dean and UP Regent Dr. Georgina Encanto, the workshop has long been recognized as a pioneering initiative in strengthening community journalism across the Philippines. Its revival forms part of the 60th anniversary commemoration of the College of Media and Communication, which was originally established as the Institute of Communication in 1965.

Named after Graciano Lopez Jaena, a national hero and reformist journalist from Iloilo, the workshop honors his legacy by equipping community journalists with the skills and perspectives needed to amplify local voices in the face of disinformation, digital disruption, and shrinking press freedoms.

The 2026 edition will convene 20 community journalists from diverse regions for four days of intensive training, mentorship, and collaborative learning. Sessions will focus on strengthening reporting and editorial skills, navigating digital tools and platforms, upholding press freedom and media accountability, and covering issues of environment, democracy, and community empowerment.

The workshop is open to practicing community journalists working outside Metro Manila who demonstrate commitment to ethical, community-centered journalism. Iloilo City, Panay, and Western Visayas will have 10 fellowship slots combined.

Applicants are asked to submit a brief curriculum vitae of no more than two pages, two samples of published work in print, broadcast, or online, and a 300-word statement on their vision for community journalism.

The deadline for applications is April 10, with notification of acceptance set for April 20. Submissions and inquiries may be sent to cmcdean.upd@up.edu.ph. Updates will be posted through the UP College of Media and Communication.

Lopez Jaena, born in Jaro, Iloilo in 1856, was a prominent propagandist and orator who founded the newspaper La Solidaridad in Barcelona, Spain in 1889. The publication became a key organ of the Philippine reform movement, advocating for political representation and civil liberties for Filipinos during the Spanish colonial period.

The UPCMC is the country’s premier institution for media education, research, and advocacy. The college marks its 60th anniversary in 2025 to 2026 with programs that reaffirm its legacy of excellence and its commitment to inclusive, accountable, and community-driven journalism.