Topics in Campus Journalism

Week 1
CHAPTER I: Overview of Campus Journalism
1. Introduction to Journalism

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 law’s 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
publication’s 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 student’s 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 1920’s 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

paper’s 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.

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. Informs the community of the work of the school.

b. Publishes school news. Creates and expresses school opinions.
c. Makes known the achievements of the school.
d. Helps unify the school.
e. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.
f. Develops right standard of conduct.
g. Provides and outlet for students’ suggestions for the betterment of
the school.
h. Develops better interschool relationship.
i. Develops school spirit.
j. 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 posterity’s 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.

Source: https://docu.tips/documents/campus-journalism-5c127500e9697

2. Common Media Forms

News media (earned media). News media takes mass media elements and uses them to deliver news
to a target audience or the general public. It’s any material or content that is written about you or your
company that you didn’t create or pay for yourself. For example, your company can earn a story in Forbes
as opposed to paying for advertising. In today’s world, earned media can come in a variety of new forms,
such as being featured in a review (even bad yelp reviews) or through a tweet about your business that
was liked and retweeted.

Social media (shared media). Social media is a digital tool, such as a website or app, that allows
users to quickly and easily create and share content with the public. It’s the “evolving” media because the
definition of it is constantly changing. Shared media is best defined as content posted to social media
regarding your brand, such as posts on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. This is also
known as the most cost effective platform for PR.

Web media. Web media is a form of communication that uses audio, text, and visuals on the web.
Some examples of web media are videos, photos, and graphics. It’s content you own by personally creating
it. Some examples of owned content that are popular today include podcasts, websites, blog posts, and
videos. Owned media can also be content your employees created as long as that content is put into a
contract signed by both parties.

Print media. This is the media that your parents grew up with, and it’s still around today. Also
known as traditional or even “old-fashioned” media, print media includes magazines, newspapers, books,
and comics. In more recent years, print media is used with desktop publishing software and electronic book
reading technology, such as the Amazon Kindle.

Other forms of media. Television is a form of entertainment that has been catching the attention of
Americans for more than fifty years. Originally, there were limited options for TV channels, and audiences
had to watch programs at a specifically broadcasted time. Now with streaming apps, you can watch a
variety of movies and television shows on demand. Movies are the oldest form of entertainment; back in the
day, you could only watch movies at the theater. But now with new technology, you can stream or rent
movies to watch on the television, your phone, or the computer.

Source: Ellicott , A (2021). “What are the different types of media?”. Retrieved from
https://www.axiapr.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-media

Overview/Review on Media Literacy

What is media literacy?

‘Media’ (and its singular form ‘medium’) is from the Latin medius, meaning ‘middle’ or ‘between two
things.’ The Canadian Marshall McLuhan (1911–80) was the first to use this term to mean ‘means of mass
communication.’ Media literacy is defined by the Trent Think Tank on Media Literacy as ‘the ability to
decode, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms.’1 According to the Information
Competence Project at California Polytechnic State University, a person who is media literate:

 has the ability to assess the credibility of information received as well as the credibility of the
information source;
 has the ability to recognize metaphor and uses of symbols in entertainment, advertising, and
political commentary;
 has the ability to discern between appeals to emotion and logic, and recognizes covert and overt
appeals;
 is sensitive to verbal as well as visual arguments;
 has the ability to use critical faculties to assess the truth of information gleaned from various
sources.2

The empowerment approach was advocated by Johnson, in ‘Digital Literacy: Re-Thinking

Education and Training in a Digital World’:
 o Media literacy is essential for citizenship.

 The media are powerful social and cultural forces.

 The media are social constructions.

Audiences are active creators of their own meaning. The Ancient Greeks believed it was vital for a
democratic society and government to have literate and educated citizens. According to the empowerment
approach, it is equally important in the digital information age to be media literate – to be able
to understand, evaluate, and use digital, multimedia information. As McLuhan noted, the new media
are new languages and one must be fluent in those languages to be considered media literate.

Source: Teresa S. Welsh, Melissa S. Wright, in Information Literacy in the Digital Age, 2010. Retrieved
from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/media-literacy

RA 7079 – Campus Journalism Act and the Press Conference

Republic Act 7079.pdf https://www.google.com/search?q=RA+7079+
%E2%80%93+Campus+Journalism+Act+and+the+Press+Conference&oq=RA+7079+
%E2%80%93+Campus+Journalism+Act+and+the+Press+Conference&aqs=chrome..69i57
.4388j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
(Please click the link)

The Editorial Board

Chief Editor – The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper.

Associate Editor – Edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor, he/she may also be delegated to
write editorials of the organ.

Managing Editor – Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles to the press for
typesetting.

Circulation Manager – As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release and
distribution of the paper.

The Reporters. The life of the contents depends on the skills of the reporters. They secure the cold and raw
facts of an assigned event and write articles out of the same.

Section Editors:

a. News Editor- writes news articles relevant to school activities.

b. Filipino Editor- to write the editorial in Filipino section.

c. Feature Editor- gives out assignments to feature writers.

d. Exchange Editor- makes up a list of school papers sent by other schools.

e. Layout Section Editors- assigned to take pictures on school activities.

f. Layout Artists- designs and formats all pages in the paper.

Why is there a need to assign duties to each member of the publication?

– Each member in school publication has its own responsibilities to ensure that they could produce a good
article. Each of them are in charge to do a certain task for them to finish the publication in limited time and
to publicize it for the students in campus will be able to read its content. There’s also a need to assign
duties to each member for the task will be easier to do and to organize everything so things will not be in
chaos.

3. What will happen if one or two of the members of the publication do not fulfil their duties and
responsibilities? Elaborate your answer.

– If one or two of the members of the publication will not fulfill their duties and responsibilities, then their
work and collaboration as a member of publication is not efficient. Negligence and panicking will take over
their organization. And also, production of their publication will be affected since one of their members did
not fulfill his job and they will waste another time in making the task that their members didn’t do. For
example, if layout section editors forgot to do his task to take picture of school activities that happened last
time, then it will damage the whole package of their articles since publishing papers without photos are dull.
Even if news editor writes her articles in a good manner, it’s not worth reading since words are too boring to
scan by the eyes without the glint of photos attached to it. Photos add attractions to the readers in reading
news plus it serves as one of the supporting evidences in your statements. So, it’s not really nice if one of
the members in publication do not fulfill his or her job because it will only ruin the publish article and even
they manage to make a solution still they waste some of their time that they could use for freeing their
selves like enjoying some tea.

Reference: Fernandez, R. “Duties And Responsibilities Of Publication Staff”. (2021). Retrieve from
http://ruelfernandez.com/duties-and-responsibilities-of-publication-staff-2

Sections of a Campus Paper

1.Front Page

Nameplate – The engraved or printed name of the newspaper

Ears – The little boxes on either side of the nameplate

Banner head– The principal headline bearing the boldest and biggest type.

Running Head – The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.

Headline – refers to any title of any news.

Deck – A subordinate headline placed immediately below its mother headline, also known as bank or
readout.

Lead – The beginning of a news story.

Column – they are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts if newspaper.

Column Rule – The vertical line that divides the page into columns.

Fold – The imaginary horizontal line that divides the newspaper equally into two parts

Byline – The signature of a reporter preceding a news-feature

Cut – the cut is a metal place bearing the newspaper’s illustration.

Cutline – The text accompanying photos and other art work, better known as caption. If written above the
photo just like a slug line, it is called an over line.

Box line – any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story.

Over line – it is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.

Kicker – a kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline.

Hammer – a hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer is bigger than the headline.

Credit Line – a credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of the story or illustration printed.

2. News Page

3. Editorial Page

Editorial Proper – the article that is considered to be soul of a newspaper or magazine.

Column – is recurring piece or article of the paper.

Op-ed – abbreviation of opposite of the editorial page (through often believed to be abbreviated from
opinion-editorial).

Letter to editor – letter to editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter sent to a publication about
the issues of concern to its readers.
Editorial cartoon – also known as political cartoon is a caricature containing a political or social message
that usually relates to current events or personalities.

Folio – usually written on top of the pages, this is composed of the page number, date of publication and
name of the newspaper.

Masthead – this is also called flag. It shows the publication’s name, the volume and number of release, the
names of the staff and their respective positions.

4. Feature Page

5. Community Development Page

6. Science and Technology Page

7. Sports Page

The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events like high school sports team.

(Reference: “Parts Of Campus Paper”. (2021). http://www.ruelpositive.com/parts-campus-paper)

Assessment for Week 1:

Deadline: February 23, 2022

In 5-7 sentences. Answer the following:

1. What is the basic purpose of campus journalism?

2. What makes campus journalism so important in the lives of the students?
3. What are the characteristics of a campus journalist?