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What is Journalism?
The word “Journalism” is derived from the Latin word, diurna, which means daily. With this, Journalism is the communication of
information about daily events packed into few words, sounds or pictures.
Journalism is a form of writing that informs people of things that happened, but they might not have known yet.

People who write Journalism are called “journalists.”

While a historian records what happened in the past, a journalist reports on current events and the latest news.
They work either in newspapers, magazines, for TV or radio stations and websites. The most important characteristic shared by good
journalists is being curious.

Good journalists love to read and explore about the world around them.

Journalism comes in several different forms:

I. News
A. Breaking news: Telling about an event as it happens.
B. Feature stories: A detailed look at something interesting that is not
breaking news.
C. Investigative stories: These are stories that uncover information that
only few people know.

II. Opinion
A. Editorials: Articles that express a publication's opinion.
B. Columns: These includes articles or stories that express the writer's point
of view, interpretation.

III. Features
A. Human Interest Stories
B. Reviews: Such as play, concert, food or movie reviews.
C. Entertainment: puzzle, comic strips

IV. Online, journalism can come in the forms listed above, as well as:
A. Blogs: Online diaries kept by individuals or small groups.
B. Discussion boards: Online platform on question and answer where
anyone can participate.

What is Campus Journalism?

High School Journalism has been defined by school paper advisers of the City Schools Manila as “that enjoyable co-curricular activity
of the school paper staff in collecting, organizing, and presenting news; in writing editorials, columns, literary articles and features;
in copyreading, proofreading, dummying, and writing headlines – all for the purpose of putting out a school organ.” (Basic Campus
Journalism by Ceciliano-Jose B. Cruz)
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A. Aids to the students

1. To provide an opportunity for interesting writing.
2. To give students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspaper.
3. To act as a stimulus to better work.
4. To develop students’ powers of observation and discrimination concerning
relative merits of news articles.
5. To serve as an outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.
6. To offer training in organization, business methods, commercial art,
salesmanship, bookkeeping and business management.
7. To develop qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance,
responsibility, and leadership.

B. Aids to the school and community

1. To inform the community as to the work of the school.
2. To publish school news.
3. To create and express school opinion.
4. To make known the achievement of the school.
5. To help unify the school.
6. To encourage and stimulate worthwhile activities.
7. To develop right standards of conduct.
8. To provide an outlet for student suggestions for betterment of the school.
9. To develop better interschool relationship.
10. To develop school spirit.
11. To develop cooperation between parents and the school.
OTHER FUNCTIONS

A. Information function – It informs the readers of events that happened,

that are happening, or that will happen. This is its news function. But
information may also come from features, editorial and other sections of
the school paper.

B. Opinion function – Through the editorials and editorial columns, the editor interprets the meaning of the news, especially of the
banner news, and gives his opinions on important matters or on significant events of the day.

C. Education function – One of the most important functions of a modern campus paper is to educate not only the students but also
the people in the community or the stakeholders.

D. Watchdog function – The school paper acts as the guardian of the students’ rights. It serves as the eyes of the readers.

E. Laboratory function – It serves as the teaching tool for the budding campus writers.

F. Documentation or record-keeping function – Important school events wherein worthwhile student accomplishments and
achievements are recorded in the school paper for posterity sake.

G. Entertainment function – The school paper, like an interesting book keeps the reader company especially when he is alone. Not
everything in life is serious. Some wants comic relief with comic strips.

H. Developmental function – Students are updated with current technological advances inside and outside the walls of the school
premises. It also provides information about available products and services.