IT is evident that social media plays a big role when it comes to delivering the news. So much more is the amount of consumption made by the current generation—who not only use the digital media as a form of entertainment, but also with news. 

The use of social media holds a lot of impact on mass media and through the use of innovation, RepublicAsia was able to blend them beautifully and creatively for the platform that not only delivers the current happenings but also along with accurate details and information. 

While RepublicAsia’s site and social media continues to be updated on a daily basis, has it ever crossed your mind on how the team is able to work in order to make the stories come alive?   

Before RepublicAsia became a platform dedicated for the current and younger generations to be updated regarding the current happenings, there’s newsrooms that were constructed for people to work as a team. 

The office is designed to be a co-working space where people get to collaborate and express themselves individually. Even though the work department station is separated from the writers, producers, and social media team–the desks are designed to be connected in order to make the group collaborative. 

Republic News Asia Inc. proposed floor plan

For Alexis Guevara—a Senior producer and Production lead for RepublicAsia video production, she stated on why working for RepublicAsia is unique. “I feel like what’s unique about RepublicAsia is that since our office space is such a co-working space type of office space—everybody gets to collaborate, everyone gets to input their ideas in some way. Like that’s the best thing about working here.”    

As for Imelda Evangelista–RepublicAsia’s Social Media Lead shared her favorite part of her job. “My favorite part is brainstorming with these people. Because everybody has something to say, everybody has something to bring on the table–which I really love.” 

Upon tackling the daily steps on how the stories are pitched and produced—we interviewed the heads of the Editorial, Productions, and Social Media heads to share their experience regarding the procedures they witness on a daily basis. 

“As a Gen-z storyteller, what happens to us is that  I feel like we’re heavy consumers of media. We’re like sponges, we’re very impressionable–we get a lot of inspiration from everywhere around us. I think the one that is most apparent to me is that I get inspiration from people–from their stories. That’s how I get ideas for the stories.” Guevara shared.   

From getting ideas, to writing it down, to sharing it to your audience. As the Senior Producer and Production Lead, Alexis breaks down the stages on how she manufactures the story. “From papers to pitching to platforms—that’s how the process usually goes when we put out the story.”   

Meanwhile the production of stories doesn’t just start from ideas and story pitching as for the case of Joanna Deala—RepublicAsia’s Multimedia Journalist shared that they also conduct research and interviews with case studies and research persons.  

As for the Social Media post productions—Imelda shared the two essential things to remember upon creating a story. “Two things when it comes to pitching: viral and timeless. Everyday we produce both things. We get approvals from the leads and it goes to the platforms.”  

Since RepublicAsia aims to target the younger generation, Imelda also stated the importance of keeping the story fresh and relevant. “Always stay relevant.” She emphasized.   

Keeping the stories fresh and relevant is often associated with the value of news writing, however—what exactly made it for Gen-Z to share their stories differently? 

“Gen-Z storytelling radiates Gen-Z vibes. RepublicAsia has unconventional story-telling techniques, because what we have here in the newsroom is that we combine fresh ideas from these young individuals in the newsroom and the advanced technologies that we now use in this ever-evolving digital world. It’s very innovative. We don’t just produce one content, it’s not just a text, an image, or a video–it’s a combination of all these elements in one story.”  Joanna shared.  

As for listening on what one’s have to say Alexis stated on how people tend to listen more when they can relate to the story that’s being narrated. “I always believe that people listen more when stories are about them. When they see themselves in the stories that we put out, when they see a part of themselves in the content—a TV show or a book—when it’s relatable, when it’s something that’s familiar with everyone, I believe that people listen more.” 

Meanwhile as for Imelda–she explained how the Gen-Z writers are connected to its audience. “Us Gen-Z we understand each other on a different level. We kinda get what works and what doesn’t work.”     

While RepublicAsia continues to aim for the stories that interest the younger generation—the team remains to stick with their values when it comes to the principle and values of journalism. 

For Joanna, she shared that accuracy is the most important value in journalism. “One of the most important values in storytelling is accuracy because while we deliver these stories in a way that the young audience can easily relate and digest, we of course have to strive to deliver the facts accurately because this is where our credibility as journalists depends.”  

In Journalism—Journalists are often told to keep their biases off, but in the case of Alexis, she stated how biases are important and will always exist.”In Journalism, in newsrooms—we’re always told to let go of our biases. And as a journalist, as a production lead, as a storyteller I feel like this is not always the case. I believe that biases are important and will always exist.” 

“However the biases that should be valued the most is the bias for the interest of the public. The value that is most important to me is knowing who I’m doing this for.” She added.   

Even if RepublicAsia never fails to update their audience regarding the current happenings, encountering problems in the newsroom is inevitable.  

“One of the challenges we see is that sometimes we run out of ideas on what to produce or stories to share for this day, for tomorrow, and for the following week. It’s a challenge to find a story to pitch but with the help of these young individuals in this newsroom we further understand our audience and learn more about their interest.” Joana shared.  

While running out of ideas is one of the common problems that the newsroom encounters, Alexis stated on how the hectic pace in the media can make you sacrifice some things in your personal lives. “The newsroom is very fast paced and very hectic, it’s something that I find challenging. You have to make a lot of sacrifices in your personal life, in personal well-being, or in your personal sleeping schedule.” 

But even if the problem arises—there’s a solution to every problem.  

“With our teams, we already have a process and systems that are familiar. If those problems arise, we know how to deal with it–we know how to handle it.” Imelda stated.  

Despite hearing the struggles and steps that the team encounters every day—there will always be a reason for the team to continue thriving in order to deliver the news for the audience.  

“I believe I’m a natural storyteller and I know that I’m doing this for the people that matter the most. For the audience that will carry the future.” Alexis stated.