1.

Campus Journalism Act of 1991

Approved on July 5, 1991, the Campus Journalism Act or CJA seeks to uphold and protect the
freedom of the press even at the campus level, as stated in the laws Section 2 (Declaration of Policy).
The law also aims to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of
strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character
and personal discipline of the Filipino youth (Sec. 2).
The law states that it is optional at the tertiary level. At the elementary and high school levels, the duly
appointed faculty adviser is even part of the editorial board (Sec. 3d, Editorial Board). Nevertheless, the
campus publication has a say in the selection of its faculty adviser. According to Sec. 6 (Publication
Adviser), he or she shall be selected by the school administration from a list of recommendees submitted
by the publication staff.
The function of publication adviser is limited to technical guidance (Sec. 6), and that he or she should
not interfere with the contents of the campus publication. From an editorial standpoint, technical guidance
refers to nuances in media production like checking the grammar of articles and ensuring adherence to
professional standards when it comes to the design and layout of the pages.
His or her role is limited because autonomy should be given to campus publications. The CJA, after all,
recognizes that a student publication is published by the student body through an editorial board and
publication staff composed of students selected by fair and competitive examinations (Sec. 4, Student
Publication). It adds, Once the publication is established, its editorial board shall freely determine its
editorial policies and manage the publications funds (Sec. 4).
From this provision, it is clear that the law seeks to uphold the editorial independence of campus
publications. This independence is defined not only in terms of editorial content but also in terms of dayto-day operations, particularly fund management. The law explicitly states, In no instance shall the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports or the school administration concerned withhold the release
of funds sourced from the savings of the appropriations of the respective schools and other sources
intended for student publication. Subscription fees collected by the school administration shall be
released automatically to the student publication concerned (Sec. 5, Funding of Student Publication).
2. History of Campus Journalism in the Philippines
High School Publication- A Brief History
The school paper is so much part of a students life that he seldom considers how many student writers
and how much cooperation and technical skill are necessary, before he receives from them the latest
news, comment, feature stories and literary articles promptly.
In the city schools of Manila, at least six issues a year, or one per grading period, is put out by selected
staff members in both elementary and high schools.
High school student publications are almost as old as the Philippine Public School system itself.
For instance, the first Manila High School, now the Araullo High School, then under the editorship of
Carlos P. Romulo, started putting out a mimeographed student paper named The Coconut in the school
year 1911-1912.
As an extra- curricular activity in the early Philippine public high schools, student publication was
introduced in the country shortly after its wide adoption in the American high schools and colleges.
It is believed that the first high school paper in the United States was published in 1851.

However, it was not until the early 1920s that student journalism had gained acceptance in the American
high schools.
LA UNION TAB- the first regularly issued printed high school paper. It was published in 1923. Since
then, pioneer high school papers came out after the other.
Among these school organs were:
The Pampangan Pampanga High School, 1925
The Leytean- Leyte high School, 1925
The Rizalian- Rizal High School, 1926
The Coconut- Tayabas High School, 1927
The Toil- La Union Trade School, 1928
The Samarinian- Samar High School, 1928
By 1931, there were 106 high schools in the country
Since then, although there had been no regulatory memorandum or circulars urging high schools to put
out a school paper, newly organized high schools followed suit.
Out of those 106 high schools, only 30 had school papers registered with the Bureau of Public schools.
By 1950, this increased to 169; by 1954, to 253; by 1975, to 500, and by 1986 to more than 900 English
and Filipino secondary school papers.
Circular Letter No. 34, s. 1929- the first significant regulation governing the putting out of high school
papers which set down certain requirements based on the Service Manual.
Issued by the Bureau of Education (now DepEd) signed by Director Luther B. Bewley.
Among the requirements were:
1. Capable teachers be available to supervise carefully all steps of the papers production
2. That finances be sufficient to avoid seeking subscriptions and to prevent financial
embarrassment to the faculty
3. That a printer who has equipment to produce a creditable paper be available.
*The circular objected to the publication of school papers containing undesirable materials, poor printing,
and faulty English.
* OCTOBER 22, 1945- Acting Executive Officer John H. Mcbride Jr. Of the Department of Instruction and
Information sent a letter to all division superintendents quoting provisions from the Service
Manual stating that the school papers should consist chiefly of articles treating of school activities, that
they should be free from advertisements, from questionable jokes and cartoons and from worthless poetry
and prose.
It is stated further that articles purporting to be written by students should be solely the product of their
efforts, the assistance of the teacher being limited only to criticisms.

The Birth of Manila City Schools Newspapers

1911-1912

* The first school paper in Manila public high schools and incidentally in the country was born. (The
Coconut)
*2nd- Torres Torch of Torres High School- September 1930
*3rd- Mapazette-Mapa High School
The Chronicler- Arellano High School
(both in 1940)
All the rest were born after World War II.
The lists of Manila High school publications with their Filipino paper counterparts, as of 1967 are hereby
listed in chronological order:
*1911- The Coconut (mimeographed) later renamed The Wall in 1937, Araullo High School: Ang Moog,
June 1957
*1930- The Torres Torch, Torres High School: Ang Sulo, June-July 1956
*1940 (Sept.) - The Mappazette, Mapa High School: Ang Gabay, 1946
*1940- (Nov.) - The Chronicler, Arellano High School: Ang Tambuli, November 1945
*1946- The Power, EARIST: Ang Lakas
*1947 (Sept.) - The Gazette, Abad Santos High School: Ang Tinig, June 1957
*1954 (July) - The Evening Progress, EARIST
Formal Introduction of Journalism
Although the first school paper in the City schools of Manila was published in School Year 19111912, formal classroom instruction in high school journalism began in 1952.
Mrs. Sarah England, an American teacher of Mapa High School, experimented the teaching of
journalism.
Since, it proved successful, the other four existing high schools in the city followed suit ( Araullo,
Torres, Arellano, and Abad Santos).
They formally offered journalism as a vocational subject holding classes on a daily period
throughout the school year.
Since then, journalism has been under the supervision of English supervisors, but the grades are
considered vocational subjects.
1964- Mrs. Clehenia San juan, then the department head of English in Araullo high School, was
appointed journalism supervisor.
3. Definition of Campus Journalism
What is Journalism?
It is the activity, or product, of journalists or others engaged in the preparation of written, visual, or
audio material intended for dissemination through public media with reference to factual, ongoing events
of public concern. It is intended to inform society about itself and to make events public that would
otherwise remain private.
The word journal comes from the Latin word diurnal which means daily. In ancient Rome, short bulletins
of battles, fires and elections compiled by government officials were posted up in public places. These
were called acta diurna which meant daily events (Noah Webster).
Webster defines journalism as the activity or job of collecting, writing and editing news stories for
broadcast journalism.
Fraser F. Bond, on the other hand, defines it as something that embraces all forms in which or through
which the news and comments on the news reach the public. According to him, all that happens in the

world, if such happenings hold interest for the public, and all the thoughts, actions, and ideas which these
happenings stimulate, become basic materials for the journalist.
4. Function of Campus Journalism
Functions of Campus Papers
A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed published or released by an organization or school
whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial box.
The campus paper like any other media has functions.
AID TO STUDENTS
a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing.
b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers.
c. Acts as stimulus to better work.
d. Develops students power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of news
articles.
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts, salesmanship, bookkeeping
and business management.
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility and leadership.
AID TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.

Informs the community of the work of the school.

Publishes school news.
Creates and expresses school opinions.
Makes known the achievements of the school.
Helps unify the school.
Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.
Develops right standard of conduct.
Provides and outlet for students suggestions for the betterment of the school.
Develops better interschool relationship.
Develops school spirit.
Develops cooperation between the parents and the school.

The campus paper also has these following functions:

INFORMATION FUNCTION: This is the news functions of the campus paper: to inform. Since information
dissemination is the maid purpose of the campus paper, this is the function most likely performed by any
campus paper. It gives the readers information concerning the things around the community and within
the school.
OPINION FUNCTION: Through the editorials and editorial columns, the editor has the chance to post his
opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community. The main purpose for this is to
persuade to reader toward a certain point of view.
EDUCATION FUNCTION: Tabooed topics such as sex, sex education, family planning and the like are
extensively and intensively discussed by writers of campus papers. This is one of the most important
functions of the campus paper: to educate.
WATCHDOG FUNCTION: The school paper serves as an eye for the readers to see what is happening in
the school and to guard the right of the young ones.

LABORATORY FUNCTION: It serves as the teaching tool for budding journalists. Neophytes pattern their
new experience from the existing and past papers.
DOCUMENTATION FUNCTION: Important school events and worthwhile student accomplishments and
achievements are recorded in the campus paper for posteritys sake. Most present day stories are
researched from old newspapers.
ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTION: The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the reader company
especially when he is alone. Most human interest stories are stimulating to read.
DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTION: In developing a country like the Philippines, scholastic and commercial
journalism has been given greater and nobler significance. The sources of new journalists are school
also. Journalists in campus publications are most likely to be the journalists of the future. The young
journalist whose news deals with club activities, school elections and campus activities will eventually
become a better one whose news deal with activities of the nation, national elections and national
concerns. The developmental function of the campus paper doesn't only have implications on the young
one himself but also on the school as a whole. School administrators and staff may reflect their
performance on the school paper and see what improvements must be done.