IWMF Launches First-Ever Environmental Reporting Program in the Philippines

Dino Balabo at Angat Dam.

Washington, D.C. – In its inaugural reporting program in the Philippines, the International Women’s Media Foundation will partner with news organizations to transform coverage of environmental issues.

Myriad environmental problems – such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change – directly threaten quality of life in the Philippines, yet these issues receive inadequate news media coverage.  In addition, much of the reporting being done lacks depth and excludes the voices of those most affected by environmental degradation, especially women.

To address this critical coverage gap, the IWMF will offer its first-ever Environmental Investigative Reporting Fellowship.  The IWMF announces the new program today on World Environment Day.

During the year-long fellowship, 10 journalists will receive advanced training and coaching to produce innovative reports about environmental problems and solutions, incorporating women’s role in and perspectives on environmental issues.  Each will complete 3-4 investigations for their news organizations.  Through the IWMF fellowship, these journalists will become environmental reporting specialists.

Selected fellows include: Kristine L. Alave, contributing writer for GMA News Network and reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Keith Bacongco, a journalist for MindaNews; Bernardino Balabo, host of a program on 90.3 FM Radyo Bulacan and correspondent for the Philippine Star and Pilipino Star Ngayon; Riziel Ann Cabreros, producer for “PIPOL on ANC,” a news magazine program on ABS-CBN News Channel; Rouchelle Dinglasan, a producer for GMA News; Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, a journalist for Interaksyon.com; Marilou Guieb, writer for the BusinessMirror and the Women’s Feature Service; Purple Romero, reporter for Rappler, a social news network; Anna Valmero, assistant producer with LOQAL.ph, an online magazine; and Rhodina Villanueva, reporter the Philippine Star.

Read more about the fellows here.

Funded by Dole Food Company Inc., the environmental reporting program will draw on the IWMF’s proven training model, which features long-term, transformative training, empowerment of women journalists and a commitment of institutional support from top management of local media companies.

Founded in 1990, the IWMF is the only nonprofit organization working exclusively to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide.  The IWMF has conducted programs in 25 countries, and its network includes women and men in the media in more than 130 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.iwmf.org.