Navy reservists join first-ever Military Journalism Training

Photos courtesy of MJPT Class 01-22

by: JIMMYLEY E. GUZMAN

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- A pioneering class of 12 naval reservists has completed the first-ever Military Journalism Package Training (MJPT) that was held via the Zoom platform.

The MJPT Class 01-22, consisting of two officers and 10 enlisted personnel, has "survived" the 10-day "rigid and mind-blogging" journalism training, which was conducted by the Navy's Civil Military Operations staff.

Head trainer retired Navy Captain Gilbert Pacio, led the training and was assisted by Indie director Paolo Pasatiempo as instructor for basic photography and videography.

"The capacity building event helped participants to better understand the media landscape and what makes news. It also allowed them to know what makes a great story and how to engage with members of media to get coverage," Capt. Pacio said. 

"We also believe that the participants gained the confidence to communicate with the media and take control of interviews," he added.

Personnel from the Office N7 and PN CMO School also provided administrative as well as technical assistance while information officers from the Philippine Information Agency-National Capital Region rendered invaluable services during the media interview exercises.

The training, which was conducted from April 22 to May 2; adopted a compressed program of instructions (POI) of the Navy Journalist specialization course, which included, but not limited to, online lectures and exercises on CMO and public affairs fundamentals, military news writing, media engagement, radio and TV news scripting and broadcasting, and the final practical exercise.

The students coming from varied backgrounds, were challenged out of their respective comfort zones.

Even the reservist students who are professional journalists and broadcasters commented that they all had a fruitful learning experience.

The combined face-to-face and virtual graduation ceremony of MJPT was held on May 4, 2022 at the Office of N7 at Headquarters Philippine Navy in Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Blvd., Manila with Capt. Jonathan V Zata, the PN CMO staff officer, as the speaker. (PIA-NCR)