Role of the News Media

Submitted to: Mr. Gary Mariano Submitted on: August 30, 2012 Submitted by: Ducusin, Natasha Isabela S. Punay, Kieran Adriel O. Villafuerte, Jan Arwin G. A51

I.

FREQUENCY ID Number 107 108 109 110 111 112 GENDER 2 0 5 15 8 0 6% 0% 16% 48% 26% 0%

Male 9 29% Female 21 68%

NEWS EXPOSURE Please select the average number of days you refer to each media for news purposes. In a week, how many times do you read the newspaper? 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 11 35% 5 16% 7 23% 4 13% 1 3% 0 0% 0 0% 2 6%

In a week, how often do you listen to news program on radio? 0 1 2 3 4 5 14 45% 2 6% 5 16% 4 13% 3 10% 1 3%

6 0 0% 7 1 3% In a week, how many times do you watch the news on TV? 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5 16% 2 6% 3 10% 1 3% 2 6% 10 32% 1 3% 6 19% 2 6% 1 3% 1 3% 5 16% 4 13% 6 19% 3 10% 8 26%

In a week, how often do you read or watch news via the internet?

Taking your most often used media for news, why do you use this type of media? For the respondents, the internet is the most used medium because of its accessibility and convenience. Majority said that the information is readily available. News is presented in different forms making it more interesting than traditional media.

NEWS ATTENTION Rate each media according to the attention in terms of news consumption. 0 = None 1 = Hardly Any 2 = Some Attention 3 = A Lot of Attention Newspaper

0 - None 6 19% 1 8 26% 2 12 39% 3 - A Lot of Attention 4 13% None Radio A Lot of Attention

0 - None 5 16% 1 12 39% 2 12 39% 3 - A Lot of Attention 1 3% None TV A Lot of Attention

0 - None 1 3% 1 1 3% 2 12 39% 3 - A Lot of Attention 16 52% None A Lot of Attention

Internet

0 - None 1 3% 1 1 3% 2 9 29% 3 - A Lot of Attention 19 61% None A Lot of Attention

What are the reasons you give attention to news? Interest in politics 18 60% School related (e.g. POLSCI, CITIGOV, etc.) 12 40% Passing time 19 63% Natural calamities 24 80% Celebrity news/ Gossip 13 43% Sports 13 43% People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%. POLITICAL EFFICACY The Philippine government is an effective government.

0 - Strongly Disagree -4 13% 1 -12 39% 2 -14 45% 3 - Strongly Agree -0 0% Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Expound on your rating. Disagree The larger percentile of the respondents disagree that the government is effecting. Most feel the Philippine government is not effective citing examples such as the rampant corruption. A few mentioned the lack of transparency and weak moral values. Budget allocation are not properly imposed therefore progress is not attained.

Agree The rest of the respondents believe that change occurs slowly and that there is evident, although not profound, progress in the country. They give a positive regard to the fact that the government is taking action.

There is hope for the Philippines to progress in the future.

0 - Strongly Disagree 1 3% 1 2 6% 2 13 42% 3 - Strongly Agree 14 45%

Expound on your rating. The majority of respondents believe that progress can be in the future of the Philippines if values are changed. Our culture of never taking the blame hinders us from growing. Some believe that utilizing our business knowledge can further the progress we are already experiencing. Many also cite, if corruption is eradicated then progress will soon follow. And as long as the citizens work hand in hand with the government there will be a better future. There is also praise given to the Aquino government as it helped the countrys economic and political progress. I can participate in politics.

0 - Strongly Disagree 9 29% 1 7 23% 2 8 26% 3 - Strongly Agree 6 19% Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Expound on your rating. Disagree

For those who disagree, many stated that politics is not of their interest or they dislike it. Agree Those who agree answered that politics is everywhere, the simple act of voicing ones opinion is already under it. I am well informed about the government and its current situation.

0 - Strongly Disagree 4 13% 1 11 35% 2 12 39% 3 - Strongly Agree 3 10% Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Expound on your rating. Disagree Those who disagrees states that they dont have time to update themselves with political issues. Although, they state that they are not completely ignorant of the nations state. Agree They believe that being well informed is an important role of a good citizen. Similar to the situation of those who disagree, they are not completely informed. I am very interested in politics.

0 - Strongly Disagree 8 26% 1 9 29% 2 9 29% 3 - Strongly Agree 4 13% Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree

Expound on your rating. Disagree For the majority that disagrees, there is an evident lack of interest in terms of political involvement. Agree Those who agree, they are the respondents who are extremely interested with politics.

POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE Please answer this portion truthfully, avoid searching for the answers. If you do not know the answer, simply state so. When is the next election? Majority of the respondents answers were either incorrect or they simply did not know. How many senators are to be elected in the next election? Only 11 out of the 30 respondents answered correctly with 12 senators to be elected this coming election. How many party list representatives are to be elected in the next election? Only a single respondent knew the answer, the rest admits to not knowing. What is the primary function of the vice governor and/or vice mayor in local government? Majority answered that the role of the vice is simply assist the mayor or governor as well as relieve the latter of their duties in case they cannot perform. What legislative district do you belong to, and who is the House Representative from that district? Out of the thirty respondents, twenty are not aware of either their district or their representative. POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Are you a qualified but not registered voter? Do you intend to register and vote on the coming election? Majority of those who are qualified or are already registered intend to vote. The number of respondents not planning to vote is minimal.

If you are a registered voter, have you voted in the previous election?

YES 5 16% NO 12 39% NEWLY REGISTERED 13 42%

If you answered NO in the previous question, why didn't you vote in the previous election? While 42% are newly registered, the 39% of the remaining registered voters did not vote on the previous election. There was one who answered that the line was too long and another that did not know what to do during the election. And yet another that did not know who to vote.

Do you intend to vote regularly? Why or why not? Twenty of the respondents plan to vote regularly believing that their vote counts. One said that it is his duty as a responsible citizen. Some states that somehow through their vote change will occur. Have you ever contacted your House Representative?

0 1 2 3

28 90% 1 3% 0 0% 1 3%

If you have, what was the intent? The intent of the two that contacted the house representative was school related.

Have you ever contacted a city/municipal official?

0 1 2 3

24 77% 2 6% 3 10% 1 3%

If you have, what was the intent? Similar to the House Representatives case, the intent was purely academic. II. ANALYSIS OF DATA NEWS EXPOSURE In the news exposure part of the survey, we gauge how much the respondents use the different kinds of media for news in a week. Based on the results regarding news consumption through newspaper, one could see that not much people still read the newspaper. Perhaps, with the rise of new media and technology (which provide quicker and fresher news), people are slowly abandoning this old and somewhat slow medium. Surprisingly, more than half of the respondents still listen to the radio for news considering the fact that the respondents are students. Radio news nowadays are usually intended for those on the road the likes of jeepney and taxi drivers. However, it is likely that the news consumed by these students would come from FM radio rather than the more news comprehensive AM frequency. For television, the larger percentile of the respondents is exposed to this medium for news purposes compared to the radio. In this case, it could be said that visual news are more stimulating than plain audio. Arriving to the last medium, the data suggests that the internet has the highest percentile of usage. The internet being the medium with most number of daily users is not a surprise. We live in an age today where almost everything is found in the internet, which is why it is the best medium to use to be up to date with the news. And unlike the other three media, information in the internet is quick to access and mobile. To support the groups claim an additional question was given in the survey, wherein the respondents are asked what was their most often used media. All of the respondents replied that their most often used media is the internet. The collective reason for this is because the internet is very accessible and convenient for them. Some respondents also replied that they use the internet because of the wide range available. Another respondent said that she spends most of her time in the internet

because she can read and watch whatever she likes, unlike when watching the news on television. Finally, to rank the mediums with the frequency of usage, the internet comes first followed by the television, newspaper, and lastly the radio. NEWS ATTENTION In News Attention part of the survey we asked the respondents to rate each medium according to the amount of attention they give to the medium in terms of news consumption. Regarding news attention, the data supports the ranking of the mediums for news consumption still having the same ranking as the latter. Most of the respondents give attention to each medium. However, radio still comes in last in terms of capturing its audience attention, while the internet garnered 60% of the respondents attention. The internet is the most stimulating out of all the other mediumsthe sense of sight and hearing as well as interactivity can be employed. In this part of the survey, we also asked the reasons why the respondents give attention to the news. Most of them responded that they give attention to the news for safety purposes from natural calamities. We all know that the Philippines is no stranger to calamities; which is why we Filipinos cling to the latest news we can get during calamities to keep safe. The second top reason why students give attention to the news is to pass time, intentionally and unintentionally. The respondents also give attention to the news for celebrity gossip, latest sports happenings, politics, and of course for academic related assignments. Everyone is hungry for information (as the saying goes: knowledge is power) which is why people still give much attention to news. However, the generation today does not just want news, but they want it as quick as possible, as soon as they can get it. This is the primary reason why the internet is the medium that has been given most attention to when it comes to news, and that has the most number of daily users. With the internet, not only does the audience get to keep updated with the latest news, they also get to know more information about that certain news because of the vastness of the internet, unlike the other mediums in which the information delivered is very limited. POLITICAL EFFICACY For the Political Efficacy part of the survey, the respondent is given a statement about various aspects of Philippine politics and will rate it accordingly if they agree or disagree. More than half of the participants disagree that the Philippine government is an effective government while some believe that it is somewhat effective. Most of the

participants stated that the reason why they believe that the Philippine government is not effective is because of corruption. Some of the participants said that there is no such proof that the Philippine country is progressing/improving thats why they still dont believe that the government is effective. Although this is the perception about the government, most of the respondents are optimistic about the countrys future. One of the participants answered that the press or the media is not really showing anything that the government is doing something to solve the problems of the country. Thats why almost all of the news that is being aired is mostly just problems of the country and not solutions. It is evident that media plays a key role on shaping the perception of the youth about the government. In Philippine media, the government is usually portrayed in a bad light such as rampant issues of corruption and abuse of power. News regarding the countrys progress is very minimal and even questioned. As a result, there is a lack of confidence towards the government. In addition, as the data suggests, majority are not well informed about government issues and current status. The blame cannot all be placed on the medias portrayal of the government but with the audiences ignorance as well. There is also the lack of interest on politics coming from the respondents. Majority believe that they cannot participate in politics although in reality politics is applied in the simplest act of voicing ones opinion. The lack of interest can root from the negative perception of the government. One would not want to involve himself in a world that one believes to be chaotic and morally corrupt. However, as previously mentioned, ignorance following lack of interest will further the tarnishing of the governments image. POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE Political Knowledge aims to gauge the knowledge of the respondents about the government specifically the LGUs. The group noted that they must answer truthfully and not really on searching the answers online, if they do not know the answer they may simply state so. Based on the survey majority of the participants only have very minimal knowledge about politics. It is quite disappointing especially since the questions are basic and should have been learned from elementary. Not many know when the upcoming election is, as well as how many senators are to be elected per election. It came as a surprise that the participants have more knowledge when it comes to the local government units (LGU) than the government as a whole. The results of the political knowledge can be connected to the data on the political efficacy, the apparent lack of interest coming from the respondents affects the amount of knowledge they have about the government. Politics is not on the mindset of the younger voters. The data is quite alarming. They are the voters that give power to the leaders. Their ignorance can affect the nation and the future generations.

POLITICAL PARTICIPATION In this part of the survey, Political Participation aims to find out the respondents participation as voters as well as citizens. Most of the participants are qualified but not registered voters. On the bright side most of them are planning to register and are looking forward to participate on the upcoming elections. For those who dont want to register, reasons such as the process to become registered is too tedious, as well as voting will not change the way how the government runs the country were given. Despite the number of those who dont want to register, majority of the participants believe that their votes are important if they want change for the betterment of the country. They believe that every vote counts and it is their right to maximize it. Although there is conflict in the results, the data for this part of the survey give relief to the alarming data of the political knowledge. This could be because of their exposure to international news wherein recently calls for change in governance all over the world are shown.

III.

METHODOLOGY A. Research Proper The group conferred to decide the most convenient type of survey. It was between manual or online surveys. The first being surveys printed on paper to be given out personally and manually tabulated while the latter is, as taken from its name, online. The group decided to have the survey done online using the program Google Docs seeing it as it was the most convenient; wherein the data will be automatically tabulated on a separate spreadsheet. Using an online survey will also allow the group to work outside the university in their own time. It was also accessible by anyone who has the internet, and the storage of the data is directly to the computer as well. To identify the respondents, the group relied on their own networks. The members personally contacted their colleagues that are marketing students to ensure the surveys will be answered once the link is sent. After accomplishing the survey, the respondents were asked to refer the group to other marketing students. The quota for the respondents was met within a week. There were no problems faced on the course of the research however there was a minor setback during the summary of the data. There was one respondent who did not cooperate and treated the survey as a joke. However, overall the research went well.

B. Sample Survey Senatorial Elections Survey for Marketing Students This is a survey for a majors' finals project of Communication Arts students. Our target respondents are those from the Marketing Course who would be eligible to vote in the Senatorial Elections next year (meaning that the respondent should be 18 years old and above come election day.) Please take time to read instructions carefully. Your cooperation is much appreciated. -----------------------------------------------------------------------* Required LAST NAME: * ID Number * GENDER * NEWS EXPOSURE Please select the average number of days you refer to each media for news purposes. In a week, how many times do you read the newspaper? * In a week, how often do you listen to news program on radio? * In a week, how many times do you watch the news on TV? * In a week, how often do you read or watch news via the internet? * Taking your most often used media for news, why do you use this type of media? * NEWS ATTENTION Rate each media according to the attention in terms of news consumption. 0 = None 1 = Hardly Any 2 = Some Attention 3 = A Lot of Attention Newspaper * 0 1 None Radio * 0 1 None TV * 0 1 None Internet * 2 3 A Lot of Attention 2 3 A Lot of Attention 2 3 A Lot of Attention

0 1 None

3 A Lot of Attention

What are the reasons you give attention to news? * Check as many boxes applicable. * Interest in politics * School related (e.g. POLSCI, CITIGOV, etc.) * Passing time * Natural calamities * Celebrity news/ Gossip * Sports POLITICAL EFFICACY The Philippine government is an effective government. * 0 1 2 3 Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Expound on your rating. * There is hope for the Philippines to progress in the future. * 0 1 2 3 Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Expound on your rating. * I can participate in politics. * 0 1 2 Strongly Disagree Expound on your rating. * I am well informed about the government and its current situation. * 0 1 2 3 Strongly Disagree Strongly Agree Expound on your rating. * I am very interested in politics. * 0 1 2 Strongly Disagree Expound on your rating. * POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE Please answer this portion truthfully, avoid searching for the answers. If you do not know the answer, simply state so.

3 Strongly Agree

3 Strongly Agree

When is the next election? * How many senators are to be elected in the next election? * How many party list representatives are to be elected in the next election?* What is the primary function of the vice governor and/or vice mayor in local government? * What legislative district do you belong to, and who is the House Representative from that district? * POLITICAL PARTICIPATION Are you a qualified but not registered voter? Do you intend to register and vote on the coming election? * Simply put 'N/A' if this question does not apply to you. If you are a registered voter, have you voted in the previous election? * If you answered NO in the previous question, why didn't you vote in the previous election? * For those who answered YES or NEWLY REGISTERED, simply write N/A and proceed to the next question. Do you intend to vote regularly? Why or why not? * Have you ever contacted your House Representative? * 0 = Never, 1 = Once, 2 = Twice/ Thrice, 3 = More than 3 times If you have, what was the intent? * Have you ever contacted a city/municipal official? * 0 = Never, 1 = Once, 2 = Twice/ Thrice, 3 = More than 3 times If you have, what was the intent? * Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/a/dlsu.ph/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHVscVd4VE lJMDhQS1U1QVptY3lXLVE6MQ IV. DISCUSSION The first part of the research shows the reality the media are facing. There has been a shift on how information is transferred to the audience. Newspapers, radio and television are experiencing a steady decline on how much attention they are receiving. With the new age, people want their information in an instant which these

three media are limited in doing. The internet not only delivers information quickly, it is also accessible and more stimulating in comparison to the old media. Todays generation is an internet generation; most of their lives are already based online. The research only further proves that news will be more effective if disseminated online. The second half of the research mirrors the youths perception (specifically marketing students) of the government and how it affects their interest in politics. The media play a role in shaping an individuals disposition in taking part and exercising their right to vote. As mentioned in the analysis, a negative perception will dishearten the youth to vote because of the feeling of helplessness while the opposite will encourage them to make a stand.