By NATANIA SHAY SOLON DU
Before my internship at Rappler even started, I learned something new about journalism — a term called ‘uniques’.
“That’s what we call stories that go deeper than breaking news articles,” my then interviewer-turned-supervisor said. “You’re familiar with the stories on Newsbreak, right?”
What she didn’t know was that I stayed up late the night before to study their latest stories on Newsbreak. What I didn’t know was that it was only the start of everything new I had to learn as a research intern at Rappler.
As a mass communication student and former editor-in-chief at different student publications, my relationship with journalism had been primarily ruled by fear. I knew it was an unhealthy dynamic, one filled with more questions of “Do I even know what I’m doing?” than genuine moments of “Wow, I did that.” But perhaps it was a natural reaction to the growing skepticism toward the media—no thanks to rampant misinformation and constant attempts to discredit journalistic work.
It was because of these doubts that I had initially been dead set on going for advertising, public relations, or corporate communication companies for my internship. But when I saw the Rappler internship application was still open an hour before the deadline, I decided to try my luck. Even the unit I chose—research and data, which handles Rappler’s in-depth and investigative side—was on the riskier side that I had initially talked myself into staying away from.
The first of many crises stemming from this decision came around quickly in the form of the screening exam Most of the test was doable, but when we were tasked to write a data-driven news article from topics that mostly involved numbers, I became stumped.
I was sure I flunked it. But when I received the acceptance email a week later, I forgot about my plans to go to a non-journalism company, and decided to go to Rappler.
Two months after that decision, I have not only learned so much about journalism, mainstream media, and how it works in the modern digital era, but I discovered confidence and skills in myself that I didn’t know existed.
A future in journalism no longer seemed something to be feared, but one brimming with so many possibilities that would benefit from the unique perspectives that the younger generation can offer—if they were only willing to take the helm.
Fact checks
One of my first responsibilities as a research intern at Rappler was to fact check false claims online. On the surface, the task seemed straightforward—find a false claim, debunk it using a few pieces of information, and move on.
However, I quickly discovered that fact-checking is far more complex and nuanced than it initially appears. It’s not just about confirming whether a statement is true or false; it’s about understanding the context, evaluating the credibility of sources, and considering the broader implications of the information.
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where misinformation can spread like wildfire — and spread deliberately at that– fact-checking is a crucial yet underrated task that protects people.
I learned at Rappler that the process of fact-checking goes beyond a simple search for correct data; it involves a meticulous examination of the details, cross-referencing multiple sources, and even questioning my own biases.
One of the most memorable fact checks I did was debunking fake tweets supposedly posted by Carlos Yulo, his mother, and his girlfriend. I had initially paid no heed to them as I was looking for some piece of news to fact check, thinking they were just regular parts of the ongoing drama. But when I paid closer attention, I realized that the posts were obviously fake, if I just took one more second to look at them. It showed me how easily people can fall victim to fake news, so it is even more important for fact checkers and journalists to stay vigilant.
Another important lesson I learned is that fact-checking isn’t just a task that happens in isolation. At Rappler, it is integrated into every stage of the journalistic process, from the initial research to the final edits before publication.
Fact checks themselves also go through reporters assigned to the beat related to the false claim. This integration highlighted the importance of collaboration in journalism—working closely with reporters, editors, and other researchers to ensure that every piece of information stands up to scrutiny.
A frustrating mirror
Another significant task I encountered during my internship was working on Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth trackers.
The SALN is a document required from government officials in the Philippines to promote transparency and accountability. While the purpose of the SALN is clear, the process of tracking and analyzing these statements is anything but straightforward.
My work with the SALN trackers was both fascinating and frustrating. Seemingly simple enough, we emailed and went to government offices to submit a document request for these SALNs then followed up as needed. Going to opulent city halls, and seeing so many streamers with politicians’ faces plastered at every street corner only made the importance of this task more apparent.
The challenge stemmed from the lack of responses, contact information, and transparency in how supposedly public documents are made available to the public.
While the law says the SALNs should be free for the public to access, we were directed to go through bureaucratic processes in backed-up government offices when these documents should be on-hand for the government officials themselves.
In many ways, what happened to these SALN requests reflected my own experience with interview requests as a student journalist. Not many people understand the mandate of a journalist, and the public’s right to information, with conflicting schedules and hesitant attitudes only making processes even more lengthy and detrimental for news stories.
Despite the challenges, my work on SALN trackers taught me the importance of perseverance and attention to detail in journalism.
It reinforced the idea that investigative work, though often frustrating, is essential to uncovering the truth and fostering transparency.
It also deepened my understanding of the dynamic between journalists and public figures they write about—one strained by differing interests, but that requires equivalent cooperation to keep the public informed and aware.
Grueling perfection
Prior to my internship, I had been amazed by the approach Rappler’s Newsbreak arm had to journalism. Instead of the straightforward news reports most people are used to, Newsbreak stories break down these news stories, and explain them in a way that helps readers understand their context and impact.
Coming from a weekly student publication at Silliman, this approach was eye-opening. Based on our observation, straight news stories often had dwindling engagement—only controversial or dramatic stories would get people to read, even just the headline. Comprehension was a whole other can of worms.
The use of fast facts, explainers, in-depths, timelines, and data visualization stories changed my perspective on stories that journalists can and should write—especially in a time of low attention spans, and social media dominance.
Teamwork, vigilance
One of the most intense and collaborative experiences of my internship came during the 2024 State of the Nation Address. For Rappler, it was an all-hands-on-deck situation, with the team working tirelessly to ensure that every claim made during the speech was accurate, substantiated, and contextualized.
My role in the SONA coverage involved contributing to a promise tracker—a tool that monitors the President’s promises over time to see which ones have been fulfilled, partially fulfilled, redirected, or unfulfilled.
I was tasked with fact-checking information provided by Rappler’s partners, cross-referencing their data with independent sources, and adding my own researched information.
On the day of the SONA, the intensity ramped up even further. I was part of the team that conducted live fact-checking as the President delivered the speech. This real-time verification was crucial, as it allowed Rappler to provide immediate feedback to the public on the accuracy of his claims.
Working alongside seasoned journalists and researchers, I had to be quick, precise, and vigilant, ensuring that every statement we published was backed by reliable evidence.
Through this process, I gained a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of journalism, especially in high-stakes situations like the SONA. The teamwork involved in producing the promise tracker, and conducting live fact-checking was a powerful reminder that journalism is not just about individual contributions—it’s about working together to uphold the truth and serve the public.
Hidden talent
Creating videos wasn’t part of my original job description as a research intern at Rappler. However, this unexpected opportunity arose from a simple “day in the life” vlog I made during my internship.
Initially, I created the video for my student organization, and sent it to my supervisor to make sure I hadn’t breached any confidentiality agreements.
To my surprise, my supervisor encouraged me to make more videos. She mentioned that I had a natural talent for video production, something I hadn’t considered as part of my journalistic tool kit.
Encouraged by her feedback, I was given the chance to explore video production further. My supervisor suggested that I start making video derivatives of my articles—short, engaging videos that could reach audiences in ways that traditional text articles might not.
These videos allowed me to combine my research and writing skills with new creative techniques, like visual storytelling and sound design.
It was a challenge to distill complex information into a format that was concise yet impactful, but it was also an exciting new way to engage with our audience.
Beyond just creating videos for my own articles, I also took the lead on a small TikTok project within our unit. This involved organizing the project from start to finish—writing a script, filming content, and editing the final video. The TikTok platform presented a unique challenge, as it required content to be both informative and entertaining in a short span of time.
Taking on this project pushed me to develop new skills in video production and social media strategy, areas that are increasingly important in today’s digital journalism landscape.
It also opened up new opportunities within my role, allowing me to contribute to Rappler’s multimedia efforts in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
This unexpected detour into video production was a valuable addition to my internship experience. It not only allowed me to discover hidden talents but also expanded my understanding of how journalism can evolve in the digital age.
Whether through written articles or engaging video content, I learned that storytelling is at the heart of journalism, and that there are many different ways to tell a story effectively.
The skills and confidence I gained from these projects are something I will carry forward, broadening my horizons as I continue to pursue a career in journalism.
End of the road, start of a new one
In an age where journalism is threatened by rapid technological advancements, and the differing interests of those that need to be held to account, my internship at Rappler taught me that a “unique” approach to journalism is a necessary—and exciting—opportunity.
As a young aspiring journalist, my initial perception of journalism being constrained by strict rules and formats was proven wrong. Journalism can and should adapt—but it also needs young minds to take the lead.
I have several skills and interests that I thought would be irrelevant to media work, but have now realized would be crucial to making journalism more digestible for the modern audience.
Instead of being scared of what I didn’t know about journalism, I am now excited about what I can offer and apply from my own unique arsenal of experiences and capabilities.
Now that my internship is over, and I have returned to my College with so many new realizations, I am excited to bring what I have learned to my school and community.
Beyond the surface level of journalism lies so many new possibilities waiting to be discovered—but it takes the realization that there is always more to do when it comes to keeping the public informed and aware.
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Shay Du is a senior at the SU College of Mass Communication, and vice governor of the Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators. She served as editor-in-chief of the Weekly Sillimanian during her junior year.
