Download - Pio Verzola The Nmin Nordis Experience
By PIO VERZOLA JR.Presentation at the e-Bario Worskshop
6 December 2007
The NMIN-Nordis experienceand the Asian IP perspective
1. NMIN-Nordis backgrounder Northern Media and Information Network
Operates in Northern Philippines (especially among Cordillera IP’s) since 2002 Emphasis on grassroots journalism – ensuring that IP’s and other rural peoples have
optimum access to modern media technology, and combining the advantages of both modern media and traditional communication channels
Northern Dispatch (NORDIS) From 1989 to 1999, a news and features information service mostly focused
on coverage of Cordillera IP’s concerns and affairs; printed news packet In 2001, revived as Northern Dispatch Information Service, still a news and
features service but adding email-based and Web-dissemination to printed packets
From 2002 until now: a regional weekly newspaper, with its associated website www.nordis.net
About me: PIO VERZOLA JR. (NMIN executive director)
2. NMIN-Nordis achievements Advocacy of grassroots media
Prioritized coverage and projection of IP affairs, issues and concerns from the grassroots level (communities, basic organizations) upwards
Practical proof that IP’s can set up, operate and sustain their own media channels when given the opportunity and support
Experiences and lessons gained that could be shared with others
Sustained operations of Nordis the newspaper and website Growing circulation of newspaper, covers most Northern Luzon provinces Still wider reach to a global audience through its website
Expanding network of readers, correspondents, volunteers and other supporters
3. Issues and challenges Financial viability, business model
Non-profit non-commercial vs profit-based corporate model Internally generated sources vis-à-vis external funding Circulation sales vis-à-vis ad sales
Capacity building of staff and local support network Emphasis on training of grassroots media practitioners among IP’s
themselves Special focus on developing media skills among IP youth
Spread of media platforms Focus on newspaper and Internet, but also efforts in community radio, video
and databank-archiving
National and regional networking
4. Lessons learned The valuable concept of grassroots media The need to combine both internally-generated resources
(human, financial) and externally-mobilized resources through extensive networking within both IP-focused and media-focused organizations and groups
The need to focus on the most practicable media channels while gradually developing work in long-term media facilities and resources
5. Wider significance The valuable experiences of NMIN-Nordis, and insights and
lessons gained, are offered for other IP groups to consider Since Cordillera IP organizations are among the better-
developed formations, we have a modest capacity to share these lessons among other IP groups not just in the Philippines, but in other countries
We see the immediacy of NMIN-Nordis networking with other Asian IP formations in the field of media and information, particularly in print, Internet, and broadcast