Research is ... with emphasis in the field of communication

Research is ... with emphasis in the field of communication

Dr Abe V Rotor

Former Professor, Faculty of Arts and Letters

University of Santo Tomas

1. Research is… a historical and comparative study of People, Media and Power, referring to the role of media in people’s revolution such as People’s Power at Edsa, Arab Spring in the Middle East, Occupy Wall Street in the US, and similar contemporary mass uprisings - not to mention, their precursor of French Revolution, and our own struggle of Independence during Rizal’s time.

2. Research is … tracing the “Theories of the Press” (Authoritarian, Libertarian, Social Responsibility, Soviet-Totalitarian, and the latest - Development Communication), how they evolved into dominant movements, and ultimately analyzing their role in shaping our society and our world.

3. Research is … inquiring into Culture and Values, national and universal in a fast changing world as people move from rural to urban centers, cities bursting at the seams, so to speak, and modern living shifting to post modernism.

4. Research is … looking into participatory journalism, and investigative journalism, their increasing importance as tools in carving out excesses and abuses of power on one hand, and anarchy on the other, in pursuit of a peaceful, orderly, and progressive life.

5. Research is … examining and evaluating the modern tools of communication, from print to multimedia, with the vast application of cyber technology and network that can reach the far ends of the earth, carrying information, entertainment, education, heretofore abreast and encompassing.

6. Research is … looking into the flaws of media, violation of the Code of Ethics and Human Rights, and offering corrective measure and setting directions of responsibility and accountability of media practitioners.

7. Research is … investigating the root cause of libel cases, and other media violations, legal and moral, and how these can be avoided through legislation and implementation.

8. Research is … determines what kind of research must be given importance and priority, where developing countries such as ours should aim at applied or functional research, rather than basic research which is expensive and fundamentally - but not functionally and directly - useful.

9. Research is … studying the effective means of distance learning or teaching through media (university without walls, e-learning) whereby students can obtain their education with affordable cost without leaving their home-base and workplace, thus enabling a country to provide mass quality education to its population.

10. Research is … determining the scope and limits of Press Freedom vis-avis Human Rights and state security, among other considerations.

11. Research is … looking into the role of media in crisis situation, on the battle front, or war zones, and under conditions where the media is placed in perilous and sensitive situation.

12. Research is … finding out the effectiveness of many learning instruments such as Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People’s School on Air); Laedza Batani (Let’s wake up!), Sokhothai Thammathirat Open University or STOU (Thailand), Kibbutz (Israel) and commune schools, outreach programs, rural immersion, barefoot doctors, school in Blog, and others.13. Research is … finding out the complementary role of media in the implementation of the new general education under the K to 12 Program, catalyzing the program’s objectives and goals.

14. Research is … preparing the student in working for his thesis (Bachelor’s and Masteral), and dissertation (doctoral), and guiding him in the actual performance of his study.

15. Research is … critiquing Advertisements and Promotions of products and services in order to guide both producer and the public to uphold dignity and decency, and exercise prudence and responsibility in not only on the merits of products, but their educational aspects as well.

16. Research is … consolidating, interpreting and writing implementation guides of laws and rules – international and local – governing media, these include Copyright Laws, the Constitution, Code of Ethics, and those that govern Press Councils, Journalist Associations, Press Conventions.

17. Research is …guiding students in choosing their topics based on practicability (cost, time frame, facility), especially in the research proper, which comprise the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data and findings, conclusion, and finally in drawing out recommendations regarding the findings.

18. Research is … guiding students in the publication of the results of their research in Journals, books, TV and radio broadcast, on the Internet, and in local publications for the information of the grassroots.

19. Research is … linking laboratory findings and field application, technology with enterprise, thus establishing a system whereby findings are brought to people’s use, and therefore contributory to growth and development.

20. Research is … never static, exclusive, and academy-centered; neither a monopoly of a few, and that as the prime mover of invention and discovery, it must address itself to the needs of a a progressive, sustainable society.~