Student journalism might be one of the fields with the broadest gray areas, particularly when it comes to defining the “limits” of what should be reported. Some argue that because student publications are created by and for the students, their focus should remain solely on what is happening within the campus premises.
As much as this argument might have merit, many stories that affect the university’s population, directly or indirectly, are situated beyond campus walls, and are often overlooked—proving instead that there is a need for a student journalist’s duty to extend beyond the institution. This includes addressing issues that impact the university community by incorporating the larger society into the narrative.
In The Angelite, the coverage of external news has contributed to shedding truth about the injustices done amongst the marginalized sectors of Central Luzon, especially as one of the few media institutions covering such issues.
To name an example, through a series of news updates and investigative reports, the publication was able to share the unheard narratives of Sitio Balubad residents, highlighting the lack of local governmental action, violence, and the “baseless” claim of Clarkhills Development Corporation over their lands.
Adding to that, The Angelite’s coverage of disappearances across administrations exposes the oppression faced by activists who are abducted or, worse, slain by the government—issues often sidelined by mainstream media.
Historically, student publications have also played key roles in challenging the status quo of the larger society.
Student journalists’ underground publications during the Martial Law period in 1972 to 1981 were crucial materials in shedding light on human rights violations and in being means of dissent when the Marcos Sr. administration shut down mainstream media.
Similarly, when the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 was passed under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, one of the most staunch critics that attempted to enlighten the masses on the perils of the law were student journalists—especially the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).
These instances demonstrate that our duty as student journalists includes a macro and more comprehensive perspective on society at large; although these stories may indirectly affect individuals within our university, reporting on them helps elucidate parallels between societal issues, such as oppression and press freedom repression, and the realities within our campus.
“As campus journalists, it is our mandate to not only write for us, but also articles that are inclined to the masses—kung saan nagbebenefit [iyong] taong-bayan,” CEGP Deputy Secretary General Marianne de Jesus declared in 2020.
By expanding our coverage beyond the university, we also bridge the academic community with the real happenings in our larger society, illuminating truths that, though beyond the campus, hold significant relevance to the lives of the student body.
Likewise, student journalists are placed closer to, even within, different communities—often the oppressed ones. We experience on-ground what is happening and see the problems of our society upfront. It becomes immensely irresponsible on our part to ignore these issues when we have the capacity to voice the truth.
Choosing to overlook such matters in favor of focusing solely on university-related topics is contrary to our mandate of becoming catalysts of change and sparkers of dialogue.
As Marvin Ang, National Chairperson of University of the Philippines (UP) Solidaridad, stated in 2021, “[Student] journalists will not be cowed into submission, nor shall we abandon our duty to report the truth and expose the ills of our society.”
More so, The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a United States-based organization promoting student free press, mentioned in one of their statements, “Student publications play a vital role in informing students about events and occurrences on campus, and informing the larger community about relevant events.”
Such testimonies and examples affirm that our role as student journalists extends beyond chronicling university events and calling out unjust university policies. We must use our platform to advocate for democracy and genuine liberation for the masses.
Student journalism is also tantamount to service that, while primarily for the students and stakeholders of our university, also serves the larger society. As student journalists who recognize the power of our craft, we should not allow anyone to limit our work to the university alone. Our words should spark conversations that extend beyond the walls of academia, creating real, value-adding change for everyone.
At its core, our journalistic endeavors should incite change and let our words resonate with no bounds.
After all, our mandate is to inform and ultimately stand up for the ordinary masses, and these duties only become achievable when we recognize that our words become truly powerful once we acknowledge the many unheard stories beyond the walls of academia waiting to be told.
Godwin Pring is the editor-in-chief of The Angelite for the Publication Year 2024-2025, and writes opinions under the column “God ‘in the Masses.”
The views and opinion of the editor does not necessarily reflect those of the publication.
