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