Campus Journalism Act of 1991

(Republic Act 7079)

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT

AND PROMOTION OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
 Journalism

 The production and distribution of reports on the

interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are
the "news of the day" and that informs society to at
least some degree (Wikipedia).
 “Literature in a hurry” – Jose A. Quirino
 Something that embraces all forms in which and
through which the news reach the public. All that
happens in the world, if such happenings hold
interest for the public, and all the thought, actions
and ideas which these happenings stimulate become
the materials for the journalist – F. Fraser Bond
 What is Campus Journalism?

 is “that enjoyable activity of the staff of

the campus paper in collecting, organizing
and presenting news, writing editorials,
columns, features, and literary articles,
taking pictures, cartooning, copy reading,
proofreading, dummying & writing
headlines”.
 Origin of Campus Journalism

 On a 4” x 6” sheet of paper, Samuel Fickle Fox

penned the first issue of The Students Gazette on
July 11, 1777 at the William Penn Charter School in
Philadelphia, USA. Published continuously until
August 1778, when the British soldiers closed the
school, The Gazette is recognized as the first student
publication in the English-speaking world.
 Origin of Campus Journalism

 In the Philippines, The University of the Philippines

started publishing its magazine College Folio in
October 1910 and printed the works of the first
promising writers in English. In 1912 the graduates
of Manila High School published their English
writings in The Coconut. In the same year, the
Philippine Normal School introduced its publication,
The TORCH.
 Origin of Campus Journalism

 The UP Writers Club which was organized in 1927

had its literary organ, The Literary Apprentice which
became the most prestigious college literary
publication in the country. At about this time UST’s
Varsitarian began to see publication.
 Legal Bases of Campus Journalism

 Bill of Rights of the Phil. Constitution

 Article 3, Section 4:
No law shall be passed abridging the freedom
of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of
grievances.
 Legal Bases of Campus Journalism

 Campus Journalism Act of 1991

“ANACT PROVIDING FOR THE

DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF
CAMPUS JOURNALISM ANDFOR OTHER
PURPOSES “
 Republic Act 7079

 One of the most powerful laws

that promote the rights of the
youth, yet also one of the
most disregarded laws
 Trains students on journalism
 Provides students an avenue
to practice truth, fairness and
balance
 Safeguards democracy in the
campus level

(Masajo, 2007)
 Republic Act 7079

 A consolidation of Senate Bill

1103 and House Bill 22658
 Approved on July 5, 1991
 Approved during the term of
Pres. Corazon C. Aquino
 Declaration of Policy

 To uphold and protect the freedom of the press even

at the campus level
 Aims to promote the development and growth of
campus journalism as a means of:
 Strengthening ethical values
 Encouraging critical and creative thinking

 Developing moral character and personal

discipline of the Filipino youth
Declaration of Policy
 Declaration of Policy

 The State shall undertake various programs and

projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of
students concerned and promoting responsible and
free journalism.
 DivisionSchools Press Conference
 Regional Schools Press Conference

 National Schools Press Conference

 Definition of Terms

 SCHOOL
 An institution for learning in the elementary, secondary
or tertiary level comprised of the studentry,
administration, faculty and non-faculty personnel
 STUDENT PUBLICATION
 The issue of any printed material that is independently
published by, and which meets the needs and interests
of, the studentry
 STUDENT JOURNALIST
 Any bona fide student enrolled for the current semester
or term, who passed or met the qualification and
standards of the editorial board. He must likewise
maintain a satisfactory academic standing.
 Definition of Terms

 EDITORIAL BOARD
 TERTIARY LEVEL: Composed of student journalists
who have qualified in placement examinations

 BASIC EDUCATION: Composed of a duly appointed

faculty adviser, the editor who qualified and a
representative of the Parents-Teachers' Association,
who will determine the editorial policies to be
implemented by the editor and staff members of the
student publication concerned.
 Definition of Terms

 EDITORIAL POLICIES
 A set of guidelines by which a student publication is
operated and managed, taking into account pertinent
laws as well as the school administration's policies.

 Said guidelines shall determine the frequency of the

publication, the manner of selecting articles and
features and other similar matters.

Once the publication is established, its editorial

board shall freely determine its editorial policies
and manage the publication's funds.
 Editorial policies

 Internal rules and policies of the newspaper

 The school paper’s implementing rules and
guidelines
 Set of principles consistently pursued and
regularly reviewed by every batch
 Security of Tenure

 A member of the publication staff must maintain his or

her status as student in order to retain membership in
the publication staff

 A student shall not be expelled or suspended solely on

the basis of articles he or she has written, or on the
basis of the performance of his or her duties in the
student publication.
Who can be a school
paper adviser?
(Sec. 3d , Editorial Board)
At the elementary and high school levels ,
there is a duly appointed faculty adviser that
forms part of the editorial board.
At the tertiary level, it is optional to have a
publication adviser.
(Sec. 6 , Publication Adviser )
He or she “shall be selected by the school
administration from a list of recommendees
submitted by the publication staff”
To what extent does one
act as a school paper
adviser?
 The role of a publication adviser is limited to
technical guidance (Sec . 6) and that he or she
should not interfere with the contents of
the campus publication.
 His or her role is limited because autonomy
should be given to campus publications.

(Sec.4)
“Once the publication is established , its
editorial board shall freely determine its
editorial policies and manage the publication’s
fund.”
How independent
should a school
publication be?
 The independence is defined
not only in terms of editorial
content but also in terms of day-
to-day operations , particularly
fund management.
(Sec. 5, Funding of Student Publication )

“In no instance shall the DECS 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”
 Weaknesses of R.A 7079

 It legalizes the non-mandatory collection of

publication fee, which is considered as the
lifeblood of most student publications. The law
does not contain any provision that would
mandate school administrations to collect
student publication funds. Instead, it only
enumerates the sources where the student
publication funds may be taken (savings from the
respective school’s appropriations ,student subscription ,
donations).
 Section 7 of the law supposedly gives freedom
and space for student journalists to write
without fear of any threat of suspension or
expulsion, the qualification made by the
Supreme Court on the said provision by
providing exemptions has rendered the security
on tenure provision practically useless. One
notable exemption is “material disruption of
class work or involving substantial disorder or
invasion of the rights of others,” which is too
broad that even a simple factual article may fall
within its application.
 The law does not make it mandatory for all
colleges and universities in the Philippines to
establish student publications. Neither does the
said law require that those student publications
that remain closed until the present be re-
opened for the benefit of students.
 The law does not contain a penalty clause,
leaving erring administrations unscathed.
School administrations are able to commit
offense after offense yet suffer no
retribution due to the absence of a penalty
provision.
College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Based on the cases documented by the CEGP since

1992 , student publications nationwide faced
systematic assaults including the following:

1. Harassment of student writers and editors

2. Meddling with editorial policies
3. Actual censorship of editorial content
4. Withholding of publication funds
5. non-collection of publication fee
6. Padlocking of the publication office
7. Closure of the student publication
8. Suspension and expulsion of student editors and
writers
9. Filing of libel charges against them
Given these flaws in the law , it is no
surprise that the enactment of Campus
Journalism Act of 1991 resulted to even
more campus press freedom violations
that are even more clever and devious in
form.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Selection
 Priority is given to language teachers (English or Filipino)
especially those with previous experience in school paper
advising from other schools or those who were campus paper
staffers during their undergraduate years
 In cases when these teachers cannot assume the role, those
teaching Social Studies can be appointed; as long as such
teachers exhibit potential, enthusiasm and commitment in
handling the school paper
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Tenure
 Every school paper adviser should be appointed/designated
for a minimum of five (5) school years. This is to enable them
to acquire the necessary skills needed in school paper advising,
which in turn, will empower them to train students in various
areas in campus journalism and facilitate the production of
comprehensive school paper
 Upon expiration of the tenure, the School Head can then
decide to appoint a new school paper adviser, or retain the
services of the school paper adviser if they have exhibited
exemplary performance and dedication in the field of campus
journalism.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Workload
 As stipulated in DECS Order No. 94, s. 1992, student
publication advising task/assignment shall be considered as
one teaching/work load.
 No. of School Paper
 There should be a minimum of one school paper adviser and a
maximum of two school paper advisers in a school publication,
one in English and another one in Filipino, when applicable.
 It also follows that if the school has one SPA in English and
another SPA in Filipino, there should be at least two
publications (1 English, 1 Filipino) of the school paper in one
school year.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Functions
 Category 1 – Recruitment and Selection of Editorial Staff
 Prepares guidelines that include the procedure, criteria,
number of staff members needed by student
publication and others on the selection of the editorial
board.
 Formulates and administers the qualifying
examination.
 Interviews the aspirants.
 Determines the basis for performance appraisal,
retention, suspension/expulsion of staff members.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Functions
 Category 2 – Planning and Reporting
 Prepares the school paper development plan supportive
of the school improvement plan/annual improvement
plan.
 Ensures the implementation, monitoring and
evaluation of the school paper development plan.
 Consults the concerned department heads and school
heads on matters pertaining to the supervision and
administration of the school paper.
 Renders periodic reporting to the school
administration as regards its operations.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Functions
 Category 3 - Administering school paper staff, finances and
facilities
 Conducts orientation on the responsibilities and
accountabilities of the staff members.
 Analyzes editorial board and staff’s strengths and
weaknesses.
 Designs and conducts in-house needed trainings.
 Reviews and edits articles of students before publication.
 Approves the page design or dummy of school paper before
printing.
 Ensures that the school paper is delivered on time and
distributed properly.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)
 Functions
 Category 3 - Administering school paper staff, finances
and facilities
 Conducts performance evaluation as basis for
recognition, retention, suspension/expulsion from the
organization.
 Requests for funds and generates needed resources for
the operation of the school paper.
 Manages procurement of needed materials and
supplies subject to the approval of school authorities.
 Prepares financial reports after every issue, and at the
end of the school year.
 Manages the facilities and ensures the safety of the staff
and the facilities.
 Selection, Retention and Function
of SPAs (RM 15, s. 2015)

 Functions
 Category 4 - Establishing internal and
community networks
Involves the community in planning and
implementing the school paper improvement
plan to ensure the support of the community.
Establishes a system of advocacy and
development of campus journalism in the
school and community level.
 Media Ethics

 A school paper, like all newspapers, should

observe accuracy, fairness, and good taste in
reporting events.
 No story should be based on rumor, gossip,
or unattributed opinion.
 Obscenity should be absolutely tabooed
from the school paper.
 Media Ethics

 All forms of biases should be avoided: race, color,

religious beliefs, class, sexual orientation.
 Innocent persons should not be portrayed falsely or
exposed to ridicule.
 Printed pictures should not offend the sensibility of
readers.
 Code of Ethics

 Accuracy, truthfulness, objectivity

 Professional secrecy
 Fairness and honesty in gathering the news
 Protecting juveniles and women involved in sex
offenses
 Respect for privacy or for private reputation
 Decency, courtesy, and good taste
 Honorable and honest means of livelihood
 Personal behavior, manners
I realized that being a school paper adviser
entails great responsibility.
I pondered that campus press violations are
unconsciously committed by most school
administrators and school paper advisers
alike.
I learned that I should value what the student
journalists would want to convey in their
articles. Their voices are important. They
should be heard