Our Story

Founded in August 2011, the Journalism for Nation Building Foundation (JNBF) Inc. is an offshoot of Newsbreak, a hard-hitting news and investigative magazine which operated from 2001 to 2011.  It is the foundation arm of Rappler, the Philippines’ top digital native news organization.

Originally launched in 2001, Newsbreak was sustained by a core group of journalists after the original venture capitalists decided to close down Newsbreak Publishing Inc., in 2006. This core group, which formed The Public Trust Media Group, Inc. (PTMGI), included Marites Vitug, Glenda Gloria, Chay Hofileña, Roel Landingin, as well as Miriam Grace Go, Aries Rufo, Gemma Mendoza, Lala Rimando and Carmela Fonbuena . 

The group continued the work under the Newsbreak brand, mainly publishing through its website, books, and through special thematic print issues.  Then in 2009, Marites and the other journalists of Newsbreak / PTMGI agreed to work with ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs, then headed by former CNN Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, in order to overhaul the management and content of the broadcast giant’s news website, www.abs-cbnnews.com. Glenda Gloria, then managing editor of Newsbreak / PTMGI, was also appointed to head ANC, the news channel of ABS-CBN. 

When Newsbreak became part of Rappler in 2011, the people behind it—founding editors Marites Dañguilan Vitug, Glenda Gloria, and Chay Hofilena, board members Roel Landingin and Maan Hontiveros—decided to set up a non-profit organization to continue other worthy endeavors. Since then, the foundation has initiated a number of note-worthy programs that support in-depth journalism in communities all over the Philippines. 

JNBF seeks to promote in-depth journalism that provides context to important issues and pushes for greater transparency and accountability of officials and institutions.  It provides fellowships for journalists and internships for students aspiring to be journalists. With partner institutions, it conducts training on themes and issues that are of significant interest to the public.

Who We Are

Below are JNBF’s current set of officers:

  1. Chairperson Emeritus – Marites Dañguilan Vitug 
  2. President – Gemma Mendoza
  3. Treasurer – Miriam Grace Go
  4. Secretary – Carmela Fonbuena
  5. Board Member – Maan Hontiveros