BMN Successfully Conducts Multimedia Literacy Seminar-Workshop for OJT MSU Islamic Studies Students
COTABATO CITY (July 2, 2025) – As part of the capacity-building program of the Bangsamoro Multimedia Network (BMN) for on-the-job trainees (OJT) from academic institutions partnered with BMN, a seminar titled “Multimedia Literacy: News and Script Writing Workshop” was conducted for 20 Islamic Studies students from Mindanao State University – Maguindanao. The event took place at the BMN Office Studio in Tamontaka Mother on June 30.
The workshop was facilitated by BMN Chairman Tu Alid Alfonso and co-facilitated by Faydiyah Samanodi Akmad, the BMN Executive Director.
In her message, the BMN Executive Director shared the background behind the establishment of BMN, including its vision, mission, goals, programs, and services. She mentioned that BMN was formed after the Bangsamoro General Assembly, which was attended by one million people, including former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in November 2017 in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte.
“Pagkatapos nyan, nabuo ang team na nag cover sa programang ito para makatulong sa pagtutok ng usaping pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Gobyerno at MILF,” she said.
Following a series of meetings among the team assigned to cover the event, they convened on January 1, 2018, in Kusiong, DOS, Maguindanao, to officially design BMN’s direction.
BMN has been involved in significant peace events in the Bangsamoro and has witnessed the deliberation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in both the House of Representatives and Congress.
On May 20, 2021, BMN was officially registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission during the pandemic. It has partnered with ministries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), including the Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS). BMN also serves as technical staff for the program “Mga Panduwan nu MBHTE” of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE); these includes Office of former MP Atty. Mary Ann M. Arnado and MP Mohammad Kelie U. Antao.
Akmad proudly noted that BMN received an award as 2nd Place in Southeast Asia and the WPS for its documentary film titled “Babaeng Bangsamoro na Nanindigan.” This documentary was created with a small grant from Probe Media Foundation (PMFI) and supported by the Asia Foundation (TAF).
The latest engagement of the BMN she said is the TAF Activate Bangsamoro Phase 4 Project on Voters Education through Community Roll-Out for Moro Islamic Liberation Front-Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILF-BIAF) combatants and their families in the six MILF major camps in Mindanao.
She emphasized that BMN aims to promote peace and development through storytelling based on accurate, reliable, and truthful information.
The seminar workshop began with an opening du’a led by Binladin Salik Nungga, one of the participants, followed by a presentation by BMN Chairman Alfonso. He discussed audience profiles, news values, writing leads, news writing techniques, and elements of good writing. He highlighted that before writing news, it is essential to know the target audience, ensure the information has an impact, prioritize the most important information, and use effective writing techniques for better news output.
(Contributors: Saripa L. Talib, Rosmina D. Nanding, Aslia B. Dalanda, Samsaida M. Blaim, Rayyana A. Alamada, Noraisa K. Mohamad, Haifa M. Manan, Mohaimen P. Atuan, Benladin D. Mantulino, Faisal G. Said, OJT MSU Islamic Studies Students, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
