Vancouver, Canada — Pia Ranada, the 2024 Marshall McLuhan Fellow and community lead for Rappler, wrapped up a successful series of speaking engagements in Canada, concluding with a back-to-back session at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House in Vancouver. This tour, part of her McLuhan Fellowship, brought together media professionals, journalists, academics, and civil society members to explore the role of journalism in building stronger communities and ensuring democratic accountability in the face of emerging challenges.
The Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House event on March 5, 2025, began with a registration and networking session, followed by welcome remarks from Luthfi Mawarid of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines – BC. Avie Olarte of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC then delivered opening remarks. At the same time, Carlo Figueroa from the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines provided insight into the significance of the McLuhan Fellowship.
Ranada’s keynote lecture focused on the current state of Philippine media and how journalistic efforts can combat polarization, the unreliability of big tech platforms, and the growing influence of AI. She presented innovative approaches employed by Rappler, such as membership programs and AI-driven public consultations, to strengthen community trust and support the newsroom’s sustainability.
“These initiatives aim not only to provide citizens with critical information but also to foster civic engagement when traditional journalism faces immense pressure,” Ranada explained during her talk. She also highlighted the importance of creating spaces where journalists and communities can collaborate for mutual benefit.
The session concluded with a lively open forum, during which attendees engaged with Ranada on topics ranging from media freedom in the Philippines to the challenges journalists face in an increasingly polarized digital landscape. After the discussions, participants were invited to a networking session to explore ideas further and build connections. The Office of Mable Elmore, BC MLA for Vancouver-Kensington, awarded Ms. Ranada a plaque of appreciation.
The following day, March 6, 2025, saw Ranada speaking at the University of British Columbia’s Liu Institute for Global Issues, addressing the theme of “Building Journalism Around Community.” The event brought attention to how focusing on community-driven journalism could help news organizations survive and thrive in the current media climate, where misinformation and corporate control of news are rampant.
Ranada’s journey as the McLuhan Fellow has allowed her to share her experiences with international audiences and discuss strategies that could strengthen democratic discourse through responsible journalism. Awarded for her exemplary commitment to media and investigative reporting, particularly during her coverage of the Duterte administration, Ranada’s work exemplifies how journalism can serve as a powerful tool for societal change.
The Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House event on March 5, 2025 was organized and presented by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), University of the Philippines Alumni Association in BC (UPAABC), ICHRP Canada, BC MLA Mable Elmore for Vancouver-Kensington, AnakBayan BC, Gabriela BC, Sulong UBC, Migrante BC, SFU, and Tim Hortons. At the UBC, the Centre for South East Asia brought the event to students and academics in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
As the McLuhan Fellowship program continues to inspire future journalists, Ranada’s tour marks a significant step in deepening the relationship between media and the public, offering hope for a more engaged and informed global community. (MBB)
