UNIT #5: Media and Information Sources

Lesson 1: Sources of Media and Information

Information refers to facts and figures acquired from learning, research, or

communication.
Information sources refer to people, groups, and records from which data is gathered.
Informant is someone who provides details about his/her language, values, beliefs, or
culture to a researcher.
Library - One of the many places to look for sources of media and information.
- where collections of books, periodicals, and other resources are organized
through a classification system.
Librarian is a professional who manages the library. He/she also organizes and
evaluates books and other resources stored there
Libraries are classified into four groups–
● Academic
● Public
● School
● Special
Academic library supports the curriculum for universities and other educational
institutions. It is also a research arm for scholarly papers and related works.
Some academic libraries in the Philippines:
- Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University
- Miguel de Benavides Library of University of Santo Tomas
-
Public library is generally supported by taxes and the government. It is accessible to
everyone, and its purpose is for the public interest. Likewise, basic library services here
are offered for free.
The Public Library in the Philippines is The National Library of the Philippines.

School library caters to both students and educators.

- Teachers can find audio-visual materials suited for a specific grade level and
subject area.
 - Students are also provided with books and other resources appropriate for their
age and level.
- Sometimes, teachers may conduct activities in the school library.
- Schools such as Manila Science High School, Arellano High School, and
Araullo High School have school libraries for their students and teachers to
use.

Special library serves a specific group of people, usually based on a discipline.

Collections are focused on a specific area of interest. They are maintained by a certain
business organization, professional association, or government agency. Some special
libraries are accessible to all while others require a certain type of membership.
Types of special libraries
● corporate libraries,
● law libraries,
● medical libraries,
● music libraries,
● and theological libraries.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines Library and Archives is a special
library which houses a collection of
● manuscripts,
● artbooks,
● musical compositions,
● and memorabilia.

Internet refers to a global system that links computer networks under the same set of
communication protocols. Some scholarly articles that are not available on print are
already accessible online. Without a doubt, it becomes a faster alternative for users to
find specific information than browsing through printed books. However, it poses a
challenge to identify which sources from the internet are of quality.
Five criteria for evaluating resources.
● Authority
● Accuracy
● Objectivity
● Currency
● Coverage

Authority - Identify the author of the content. Know his/her credentials. For scholarly
works, check if he/she has other publications, experience in the industry or topic,
professional affiliations, and educational background.
Accuracy - . For journals, make sure that it is peer-reviewed. This is when the
information has been checked by other known researchers or organizations. Verify the
names, dates, figures, and places mentioned. Additionally, check the grammar, format,
and other writing mechanics
Objectivity - Assess if the author is biased or not through how he/she organized and
justified his/her information.
Currency - Look at the date when the material is published. In research writing, it is
better to gather references that are at least six years old before the current year. For
news gathering, check if the news is a developing story. Avoid using “zombie sites” or
a website that failed to update its contents as sources.
Coverage - Know the scope of the information presented. Compare the coverage from
one source to the other. Some sources may cover a part of the topic. It is best to look
for other sources until you find more sufficient information.

Fact-checking is confirming the accuracy of information made in a speech, research,

news article, or editorial. Not everything you see online is worth sharing. Don’t be a
victim, and think first before you post something on social media. Just remember
AAOCC in evaluating sources- authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and
coverage.
Check Your Understanding
A. Recall / Comprehension.
Identify the type of library.

1. Cultural Center of the Philippines Library and Archives

- special
2. Miguel de Benavides Library
- academic
3. Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University
- academic
4. National Library of the Philippines
- public
5. Manila Science High School Library
- School

Lesson 2: Gathering Indigenous Media and Information

Indigenous is synonymous to words such as native or local.
Indigenous knowledge refers to distinctive facts, information, and skills that originate
in a community of people sharing the same beliefs, ideas, and cultures. This is passed
down by word of mouth from one generation to another.
Examples on how indigenous knowledge plays a major role in one’s culture are
seen in
● folk dances,
● traditional medicine,
● and kuwentong bayan or folklore.

Indigenous media refers to the communicative tools and resources of the indigenous 9
peoples. It is also known as community media. Oral interaction and face-to-face
communication are some of the factors of indigenous media.
Forms of indigenous media include folk or traditional media, gatherings and social
organizations, direct observation, records (written, carved, or oral), and oral instruction.
Information sharing is sometimes limited only to the members of the community.

Indigenous communication refers to the information exchange via local channels. It is

a way of culture preservation and adaptation. Tracing back to Philippine history, the
umalohokan are known as the town criers of an ancient barangay or a well-organized
independent village. They announce laws ordered by the datu or chieftain to reach the
community. Today, news and stories typically reach the community through local
meetings such as kapihan, balitaktakan, and kuwentong barbero. It is best to consult
an adult to gain news and information in the community. He/she may be a media
practitioner, a local journalist, a blogger, a social media manager, or a media specialist.

Kapihan refers to a place or a session where community members come together to

share stories over a cup of coffee. Nowadays, a similar practice is done when people go
to coffee shops to meet and chat with their friends.

Balitaktakan refers to a discussion or debate where members are free to voice out their
10 opinions about a certain topic. Members exchange ideas to come up with a feasible
solution to a community problem.
Kuwentong barbero is a Filipino idiom that is often associated with hearsay. Its origin
may stem from local men who go to barbershops not only to get a good haircut but to
listen to the barber’s stories. Thus, a barber’s story is passed down from one customer
to another until it reaches the community.

Indigenous media and information strengthen a community’s identity. It is a platform

for indigenous peoples to express their own perspectives, and to penetrate the social
and political sphere. Indigenous journalists and media producers are entrusted to
establish their own media using their language, and gain access to non-indigenous
media free from stereotyping and discrimination. The role of indigenous media 11 and
information is to educate and inform community members other than what popular
media offers.

In the Philippines, efforts to media recognition on indigenous peoples are done. The
lack of representation is a problem. They are generally shown as victims of conflict and
discrimination. Therefore, sensitivity on how they are portrayed must be practiced.
Glossary
Academic library - A type of library that supports the curriculum and research
Fact-checking - This is confirming the accuracy of information made in a speech,
research, news article, or editorial
Indigenous - A native or local
Indigenous communication - These are information exchange via local channels
Indigenous knowledge - These are distinctive facts, information, and skills that
originate in a community of people sharing same beliefs, ideas, and cultures
Indigenous media - Also called community media; these are communicative tools and
resources of indigenous peoples
Informant - A person who provides details about his/her language, values, beliefs, or
culture to a researcher
Information - These are facts and figures based from learning, research, or
communication.
Information sources - These refer to people, groups, and records from which data is
gathered
Internet - A global system that links computer networks under the same set of
communication protocols
Librarian - A professional who manages the library
Library - These are collections of books, periodicals, and other resources are organized
through a classification system
Public library - A type of library open for all
School library - A type of library for students and teachers
Special library - A type of library for a specific group of people