BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU CITY, May 27 (PIA) – Government information officers (GIOs) are told to be “news junkies” to stock their knowledge base on what is happening in their surroundings for them to be effective in anchoring radio and TV programs.
Veteran broadcaster Leo Lastimosa, station manager of radio station DYAB-AM of ABS-CBN who anchors a daily local news program on TV and radio, bared that a crucial part of the preparations before hosting a broadcast program is to know what issues and concerns are circulating in the national and local scene.
“It is important to know the news and to organize the information to be able to have a language mastery of the message the anchor will discuss to the listeners and viewers,” said Lastimosa during the recent training-workshop on ‘Enhancing Communication Skills in Effective Hosting, Digital Photography and Social Media” for GIOs from the different line agencies that was also participated by other government personnel.
Lastimosa who has been in the broadcast industry for almost 30 years told GIOs that preparation is a key to be effective as communicators.
“We need to master the message and substance always prevails. We must have something relevant to say and not just deliver any kind of information,” said Lastimosa.
The broadcast journalist who also teaches a subject on mass communications at a local college in Cebu said nervousness can never be avoided.
“Even if I am in the industry for almost three decades, I still get nervous when facing a crowd. But we can overcome such feelings if we prepare,” disclosed Lastimosa.
Lastimosa further said GIOs must explore creative ways in explaining their programs and highlight the best parts with slogans.
“If there is opposition to the information you are pushing as part of your programs then tackle the strongest contrary arguments,” advised Lastimosa, adding that one must treat opponents as allies because in persistence with your mindset, opponents in the end could be swayed by your advocacies.
According to Lastimosa, even if you are an authority on the subject matter, you should never deliver the information like you are preaching but you must feel the story or message you are selling.
Other tips Lastimosa told GIOs on effective hosting are finding your broadcast voice which is in between your highest and lowest pitch, preparing for ad-libs and package the information in simple and digestible bits.
The two-day training workshop was initiated by the Philippine Information Agency 7 in partnership with the Association of Government Information Officers in Central Visayas with the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health and the National Economic and Development Authority in the region. (rmn/fcr/PIA-7)