UPMG affirms print media’s ‘credibility advantage’
In an era when “anyone can post, react, or go viral,” the printed word commanded the spotlight as the United Print & Multimedia Group (UPMG) held its third General Membership Meeting on Sept. 18.
With the theme “Credibility Advantage: How Print Builds Trust in a Digital World,” the meeting held at Kingsford Hotel Manila gathered publishers, editors, advertisers, and industry leaders for a day of dialogue on how trusted journalism can guide audiences amid the information overload.
UPMG president Vivienne Motomal, the concurrent assistant vice president of the Journal Group of Publications, opened the program with a message that both underscored print media’s resilience and noted the challenges faced by the industry in upholding its standards. “It feels good to be gathered in this room with people who share a deep-seated belief in the power of the printed word,” she said.
Motomal acknowledged the swift rise of digital media but stressed print’s enduring role: “In this chaos, what does the reader yearn for? They yearn for an anchor. A source they can trust. When a person holds a newspaper or a magazine in their hands, they are holding a tangible commitment to journalism.”
AI as next disruptor
Credibility remains the industry’s strongest currency, she said. “This is why, even in the digital age, our role is more critical than ever. The future is a credible hybrid where print and digital can work together to build a complete, trustworthy media ecosystem.”
In his keynote address, Lucien Dy Tioco, executive vice president of Philstar Media Group, traced the arc of media transformation, recalling how the once “traditional” press now competes with algorithm-driven feeds.
“Fast forward to the present time, we now live entirely different from how we were 15 years ago,” he said, noting how people scroll for headlines, binge shows, and check influencers for tips without a second thought. But with these conveniences came serious consequences.
“Technology has brought a more toxic conversation on social media, strong political biases that breed divisiveness, bigger and bolder online scams, and worse of all, fake news to help distort public opinion,” he noted.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI), Dy Tioco added, is the next disruptor: “In just over a year, AI technology is quickly being applied in almost everything … We need to fight for our place now.”
But reaffirming the value of print, he said: “We write news with a journalistic edge. We curate news according to national importance. We create content to foster objectivity and calm. That is what the world needs right now. We need to exist because we fight for the truth.”
Safeguards vs fake news
The panel discussion that followed had Angel Guerrero, vice president of UPMG and publisher of Adobo Magazine as moderator, drawing more insights from Dy Tioco and Jack Jacinto, vice president for public and member relations of Pag-Ibig Fund.
Jacinto underscored the public sector’s reliance on credible media outlets: “Our organization knows this and values credibility, which is why we support print.”
The panelists highlighted the meticulous processes behind print—fact-checking, rigorous editorial process, and context-rich reporting—as essential safeguards against fake news.
Science of narrative
They also called on publishers to present a united front to policymakers, again emphasizing print’s permanence and credibility as irreplaceable strengths even as technology reshapes the means of distribution.
The morning open forum tackled AI verification tools and the expansion of media literacy programs, reinforcing UPMG’s shared values that uphold trustworthy content.
The afternoon session shifted the focus to the science of narrative. Von Cruz and Bernz Soriano from The Nerve, a Manila-based narrative intelligence and data-forensics firm, demonstrated how their technology goes beyond social listening to trace how both authentic stories and misinformation move through digital ecosystems. Their investigative platform maps influence networks and identifies the sources of viral falsehoods, insights that can help newsrooms and advocacy groups respond swiftly and accurately.
By showing how narrative forensics can complement traditional reporting, The Nerve presentation perfectly aligned with the meeting’s theme: combining data-driven innovation with journalism’s timeless commitment to credibility.
New members
Also presenting UPMG’s annual report, Motomal cited the group’s latest partnerships and achievements in the publishing sector. Two new member organizations — Simpol.ph and Philippine Graphic — were also officially inducted.
Festivities continued with raffle draws and a warm welcome from Jericho Feliciano, director of sales of Kingsford Hotel Manila, who commended UPMG’s dedication to responsible journalism.
To formally close the event, Roda Zabat, UPMG auditor and The Manila Times vice president for sales and marketing, asserted that print, far from being obsolete, is instead evolving into a powerful hybrid with digital platforms.
