SunStar website celebrates 25th anniversary, highlighting its evolution from basic static pages to a dynamic, social-powered platform embracing AI for news delivery.
The SunStar website is commemorating its 25th anniversary. The website was initially launched on May 10, 2000, during a period when websites were relatively basic and internet speeds were slow. SunStar was branded at its inception as “the home to the only network of community newspapers in the Philippines,” and its website initially featured stories from at least 12 major areas across the country. This commitment to community-rooted journalism has reportedly remained steadfast 25 years later.
The SunStar website is now described as a dynamic, responsive domain that not only allows readers to access news and information but also to connect with others anytime, anywhere. It is social-powered and is slated to soon become an AI-assisted news platform, representing a significant evolution from its early static versions. As it marks this milestone, the organization reflects on how it has embraced three major disruptors that have reshaped the media industry: social media, mobile technology, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Navigating the Social Media Shift
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (now known as X) began transforming the way people consume news starting in the mid-2000s. SunStar reportedly recognized and acknowledged this shift by establishing a social media presence to meet readers where they were. While the SunStar website itself began real-time reporting of big events as early as 2004, including live coverage of the presidential polls, the organization officially launched SunStar Philippines on Facebook in 2009. In that same year, in January, SunStar was reportedly the first in Cebu to broadcast live via the internet, transmitting the Sinulog Grand Parade from the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Center through its website and social media pages.
This innovation is credited with having since brought major news events about Cebu to the rest of the world. Mildred Galarpe, SunStar Cebu editor-in-chief, commented on social media’s impact, stating, “Social media has transformed how news is consumed; it has even reshaped how news is gathered, reported, and shared, allowing journalists to engage audiences, find sources, and experiment with storytelling. We realized early on that we need to be on social media if we want to keep our readers.” SunStar is now reportedly active on major social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Threads, in addition to Facebook and X, with Facebook Live broadcasts having become part of the newsroom’s daily routine.
Embracing Mobile-First News
Adapting to mobile technology has been another critical aspect of SunStar’s digital evolution, particularly as over 70 percent of the SunStar website’s audience reportedly uses mobile devices to access news and information. To cater to this mobile-first audience, the website domain has undergone several redesigns to become fully responsive, ensuring optimal viewing and usability on smartphones and tablets. In 2015 alone, the website reportedly underwent three major design modifications specifically aimed at making it more user-friendly on mobile devices.
The design was simplified and made more visual to facilitate easier navigation and content consumption on smaller screens. The way stories were written was also adapted for mobile readers, with digital writers now reportedly aiming for shorter paragraphs and tap-friendly formats to enhance readability on touch-screen devices. The website now also features push notifications, a capability that helps ensure readers receive the latest news as soon as it breaks directly on their mobile devices.
Integrating AI and Usage Policy
In recent years, SunStar reportedly began experimenting with AI-driven tools to assist the newsroom in various tasks. Areas where AI tools are being explored include transcription, translation, data analysis, search engine optimization, and even story ideation. While AI tools can reportedly help streamline and speed up workflows within the newsroom, SunStar has reportedly committed to maintaining human editors as the final decision-making authority for all content. Under its AI Usage Policy, “human verification” has reportedly been made a mandatory requirement to ensure the accuracy of published content.
The policy explicitly states, “SunStar will not publish content that does not go through the editors’ eyes,” reinforcing the commitment to human oversight in the age of AI assistance. Mildred Galarpe commented on the integration of AI, stating, “AI is here to stay, and we need to make use of it in the most ethical way. We will continue to innovate to engage with our audience and deliver the best stories to tell,” suggesting a commitment to responsible innovation.
Enduring Commitment
As the digital media landscape continues to evolve and present new challenges and opportunities, SunStar’s fundamental commitment reportedly remains the same. The organization aims to deliver relevant, community-rooted, credible journalism to its readers. This enduring commitment underpins its efforts to adapt to technological changes while staying true to its core mission as a network of community newspapers in the Philippines.
