For more than three decades now, Filipinos have gone overseas in search of better lives and opportunities. At present, there are about eight million Filipinos scattered all over the world. This number is expected to increase as more and more Filipinos see migration as an option to improve their quality of life.

The Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) was organized to encourage the recognition, protection and fulfillment of Filipino migrants’ rights, both in the Philippines and abroad during the entire migration process. It works with various sectors, such as the media, in order to advocate the issues of migrants.

The media is a significant sector in the society. They have the capacity to make the smallest voices be heard. Through media, migration can be seen as more than just an opportunity to improve the quality of life. Media can educate the people. It can be a medium to communicate the risks and realities of migration.

However, there are instances when media’s interest on the issue seem to be lacking or some migrant cases tend to be sensationalized. To clear such view and to strengthen advocacy work with media, the PMRW organized a forum on June 28, 2006 at the Bayview Park Hotel Manila with the theme “Media and Migration.”

Mr. Jeremaiah Opiniano, President of the OFW Journalism Consortium and the first presenter, gave an overview of the tri-media coverage on migration. The coverage on the migration phenomenon, according to Mr. Opiniano, has evolved so fast. Media approach and outfits responded to the increasing number of OFWs. Various media outfits now have sections and programs dedicated to the OFWs. However, migration is still not openly talked about.

Mr. Cito Beltran, one of the top names in the local media industry, said that the reason why migration has taken a back seat and why the media is detached from the issues of migration is money. According to him, media covers migration issues because “it’s sensational, it’s political, it’s emotional and because viewers like them and viewers will give money”. It is about economics, he said. Mr. Beltran also talked about the importance of connectivity by having a more personal relationship with the migrants and being there for them. He likewise encouraged the participants to be more active and to approach the media in a creative way.

The other presenters are representatives of various media outlets. Ms. Susan Andes of Pilipinas Online: Bantay OCW with Susan K shared the format of her radio and television programs and how each one provides various services to migrants. Ms. Veronica Uy of INQ7 discussed her experiences with covering migration issues. “When sensational news arises”, she said, “media pays attention to it to respond to the public’s natural curiosity.” Like Mr. Beltran, Ms. Uy acknowledged that media is foremost a business. The last speaker, Mr. Leo Santiago of Buhay Marino, focused his presentation on the work they do with Buhay Marino Media, Inc. He said that their programs aid not only seafarers but land-based workers as well.

After the forum, PMRW hopes that media and all other sectors of society will realize and live up to their responsibilities -- to give focus to what is truly important and see migration as more than just remittances and sensational stories.

By: Maria Celeste Marasigan