Just came back from the office of Newsbreak Magazine in Ortigas to discuss details of the blogging/podcasting workshop I’ll be doing for them next month. I got the chance to chat with Carmela who wrote a piece on “Blogging About the Elections” and asked me to comment about the blogging atmosphere in the Philippines. (Check out the front page of their website for the story and a picture from our Christmas Meet-up last December.)
At the same time, I also got the news that Newsbreak (the magazine) will be finally put to rest next month:
Let me give you the bad news and good news in one blow. This is our second-to-the-last hard copy edition. Yes, what you’re holding in your hands, our 179th issue, will soon be part of history. But we will continue our work online, the platform that is transforming journalism by opening the doors of our profession to citizens all over the world and, at the same time, forming tightly knit communities and audiences in cyberspace.
However, they will continue to exist as the online magazine (e-zine) as they try to find more funding to revive the print version. Maybe that’s why I was asked to help their staff familiarize with the online version as well as give focus on blogging and podcasting as new media tools to enhance their interaction with their readers.
As for the business model, well, there’s online advertising and paid subscription. And yes, it will be a huge challenge to go from print to RSS. :)
Ay di ako nasama sa pic. Hehe. Their website is still buggy… 4/10 gives Database error :(
here’s some speculation about Tonyboy Cojuangco’s ventures losing money.. or bending to political pressure?
i hope this gets a lot better and longer lifespan.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Just got to the Newsbreak site… Kuha ko pala yun, yipee (feeling proud hehehe)! Pero Yugz, yung apelyido mo kulang sa R)…At least they can correct it in the online edition… =)
Since they are going fully online, will they be creating the first Filipino blogging network? I hope they will ask for contributions from bloggers, even editorial or opinion pieces (like guest or multi-author columns like YoungBlood of PDI.) It would be great if someone from their team could give even a 5-minute spiel on their decision, direction at the Parteeh. What better way to open their gates to bloggers than there?
ahh I am there!
Hmm..this could be like a great “test run” for other media outfits in the country. See how Newsbreak Magazine fares in the online world.