THE United States Embassy in the Philippines has partnered with the Cebu Citizens Press Council (CCPC), University of the Philippines-Cebu, and a group of Filipino journalists for a conference that aims to promote and strengthen independent co-regulation of the media in the country.

The "Media Citizen Councils: For the Media and Citizens, By the Media and Citizens" conference will be held on March 13, 2024, at the UP-Cebu Performing Arts Hall from 8 a.m to 4 p.m.

On top of discussions on self-regulation, the conference will also focus on the challenges faced by community journalists in the current information environment.

Davao-based journalist Amy Cabusao, vice chairman and trustee for Mindanao of the Philippine Press Institute, will keynote the event.

The morning highlights of the conference include the introduction of CCPC, the local media situationer in Cebu, and familiarization with self-regulatory mechanisms with other media councils in the country.

The afternoon session will include workshops on newsroom operations in a digital setup, digital safety and security, and ethical considerations when using digital platforms.

A workshop on Media Self-Regulation in the Digital Space will cap the day's activities.

This conference is a Change Initiative of a group of journalists who joined a fellowship in Sweden hosted by the Swedish International Development Agency and Niras on media self-regulation.

The team includes Catherine Valente of The Manila Times, Francis Allan Angelo of Daily Guardian, Lita Jane Cadalig of the Kordilyera Media-Citizen Council and Baguio Midland Courier, Janvic Mateo of University of the Philippines Diliman, Paul Soriano of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Mia Embalzado-Mateo of Cebu Citizens-Press

Council and University of the Philippines Cebu, Bea Cupin of Rappler, and Arlene Burgos of ABS-CBN. Prof. Gary Mariano is the team's national facilitator.

The conference is jointly organized by the CCPC, the US Embassy in Manila, and UP Cebu.