R.A 7079 CAMPUS JOURNALISM

Act of 1991

A lecture presented by :Randel Joy A. GohMAEd Student

OBJECTIVES:To define Campus Journalism

To state what R.A 7079 is To explain why there is an amendment made

in the law To reflect on your practices in school in

connection with the Campus Journalism Act To internalize the essence and impact of the

said law to you as a teacher/school head

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”.

Duties and responsibilities of a Student Journalist• Legal- They should know their rights and the rights of

each individual, and they should be sure they are compliant with legal issues. This will ensure there is no intrusion on matters of confidentiality and privacy.

• Social- It is the duty of a journalist to make sure the information is presented in a fair, balanced and truthful manner

• Professional- A journalist has a professional responsibility to present an accurate portrayal of events as they occur. This usually is accomplished through excellent and thorough research. A professional journalist will present only the facts, leaving out her own opinions.

• Ethical- Journalists are bound to a code of ethics. An ethical journalist will provide the audience with meaningful information, but she also will know when information is too sensitive to be reported.

What is R.A 7079?

• One of the most powerful law that promotes the rights of the youth, yet also one of the most disregarded law

• Train students on journalism• Provide students an avenue to practice truth ,

fairness , and balance• Safeguard democracy at the campus level• Approved on July 5,1991• It is “ An act providing for the Development and

Promotion of Campus Journalism”

What is it for?

It aims to promote the development and growth of Campus Journalism as a means of :

(section 2 )

1. strengthening ethical values

2. encouraging critical and creative thinking

3. develop moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth

The state shall undertake various programs and projects aimed at improving the journalistic skills of students concerned and promoting responsible and free journalism

1. Division Schools Press Conference

2. Regional Schools Press Conference

3. National Schools Press Conference

Who can be part of the student publication?

(Section 4 , Student Publication )

“ 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.”

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 recomendees submitted by the publication staff”

To what extent does one acts 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”

Role of Campus Journalism in NATION BUILDING

The ability of campus journalism in nation-building is in its charisma to compel people

to action and be part of building the Filipino dream. Reach the grassroots and localize actions

• Grassroots media training means empowerment of journalists down the line.

• It means a boost to their morale and spirit to focus on their strength and plans for their communities.

• They would realize their potentials as potent tools in community building rather than radical activism and sensationalism

– (Lloyd Luna, 2004 Outstanding Filipino Youth Leader and CEO of Network of Campus Journalist in the Philippines)

Campus Journalism and Its Response to the Challenge of

Time“Campus journalism is very crucial tool in developing country. In my twenty years of being a school paper adviser, my students and I learned to think out of the box. We learned to dance with cadence of change and our eyes become as sharp as the eagle’s at night. We see what the community needs and what can we cater to the community. We also realized that we need to adapt to the medium in which we can reach our audience more.”

(Alberto Goto, a campus publication adviser for twenty years and proponent of the Special Program in Journalism)

The content of the organ should prepare them to become responsible students in decision making.

Filling the gaps on information unknown to them will teach them to make informed decision on serious national issues at their young age.

They will learn not just to go with the flow and believe in hearsays. They can learn how to weigh things.With the adjustment to the technological innovations, campus journalism is not

only nailed on print publication anymore. In 2003, in response to the

emergence of the social media, online journalism was introduced among campus journalists. Online writing was included as part of individual

competition in the NSPC. Online publications were also encouraged among schools since their audience can also

be found active in the cyberspace.

Weaknesses of R.A 7079 1.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 )

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The Department of Education, Culture and Sports Order No. 94, Series of 1992, the implementing rules and regulations of the law, contains simply guidelines on the implementation of its provisions with the additional rules on jurisdiction over cases that may arise from violations of the said law. As the implementing rules and regulations cannot lawfully narrow or restrict and expand, broaden, or enlarge the provisions of the law, DECS Order No. 1994 naturally carries the weaknesses of Campus Journalism Act of 1991.

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 content4. Withholding of publication funds 5. non-collection of publication fee6. Padlocking of the publication office 7. Closure of the student publication8. Suspension and expulsion of student editors and writers9. Filing of libel charges against them

As of April 2013 , CEGP has documented 230 campus press freedom violations

nationwide from 42 respondent publications.

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.

House Bill No. 4287

•Introduced on February 28 , 2011

•Argues that while the CJA of 1991 has strong provisions, it is “ insufficient and lacking in material aspects to fully maintain the existence of the campus press.”

Fifteenth Congress

Rep. Teddy Casiño Rep.Raymond Palatino

Rep. Terry Ridon

House Bill No. 1493

Sixteenth Congress

An act upholding and promoting Campus Journalism and Campus Press Freedom repealing for the purpose Republic Act 7079, entitled “ An act providing for the Development and Promotion of Campus Journalism” , penalizing violations against Campus Press Freedom , and for other purposes.

Campus Press Freedom Act

Campus journalists – like any other journalist – face the same challenge that is …

PRESS FREEDOM

Features of the proposed Campus Press Freedom Act

Require all basic and tertiary schools to establish at least one student publication

(Sec. 4, Student Publication)Provide autonomy from administrative intervention

“with regards to the handling of its funds , the content of the articles the editorial board chooses to publish , the selection of its publication staff and members of the editorial board.” (Sec. 6, Independence)

It also adds that the operations of the student publication “ shall not be delayed , suspended or closed down in connection with the articles it has published , or on the basis of the conduct or performance of its staff without due process.”

(Sec. 6,Independence)

As regards with the funding , it shall be “mandatory for the school administration to collect student publication / subscription fees during the enrollment period ” even if the members of the student publication could opt to collect the publication funds themselves without administrative intervention .

(Sec. 7, Funding of student Publication )

It seeks to make a publication adviser’s appointment upon the discretion of the editorial board. In case a publication adviser is appointed he /she shall only engage in “technical assistance”.

(Sec.9 , Publication Adviser )

It empowers the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Education, upon due investigation, to impose administrative sanctions for Campus Press Fredom violations like censorship of editorial content and harassment and intimidation of campus journalists.

(Sec. 15 , Administrative Sanctions )

RecommendationsHouse Bill 1493 should be one of the top

priorities in the 16th Congress. It should be passed immediately.

FOI Bill should also be passed and made into a law to adhere to the real essence of the Campus Press Freedom.

The DepEd, TESDA, and CHED should be vigilant enough to protect the interest of the student journalists.

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

Reflection