Functions of the Campus Paper

 A campus paper is a publication, either mimeographed or printed,

put out by staff members whose names appear in the masthead or
editorial box.

 The campus paper has many functions. The traditional roles of the
campus paper were specified by Harold Spears and C.H. Lawshe Jr.
in their book, An Introduction to Journalism.
 Aid to the students

1. Provides an opportunity for interesting writing.

2. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers.
3. Acts as stimulus to better work.
4. Develops students’ powers of observation and discrimination concerning relatives merits of
news article.
5. Serves as an outlet and motivation of journalistic writing.
6. Offers training in organization, business methods, commercial art, salesmanship,
bookkeeping, and business management.
7. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility, and leadership.
 Aid to the school and community

1. Informs the community on the work of the school.

2. Publishes school news.
3. Creates and expresses school opinion.
4. Makes known the achievements of the school.
5. Helps unify the school.
6. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.
7. Develops right standards of conduct.
8. Provides on outlet for students suggestions for the betterment of the school.
9. Develops better interschool relationship.
10. Develops school spirits.
11. Develops cooperation between parents and the school.
The modern campus paper has
evolved other functions.
Briefly explained, they are:
 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 the
features, editorials, and other sections of the school
paper.
 Opinion function

 Through the editorials and editorial columns, the

editor interprets the meaning of the news,
especially of the banner news, and gives opinion of
important matters or of significant events of the
day.
 Educational 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. Sex education and family
planning which used to be taboo in classrooms are now
topics of discussion by student writers in their school
organs.
 Watchdog function

 The school paper acts as the guardian of the

students’ rights. It serves as the eyes of the readers.
 Laboratory function

 It serves as the teaching tool for the budding journalists.

After they have learned, for example, how to write straight
news stories, they cover school activities and write the
news for publication.
 Documentary functions

 Important school events and worthwhile students

accomplishments and achievements and are recorded in
the school paper for posterity’s sake. Most present-day
histories have been researched on from old files of
newspapers.
 Entertainment function

 The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the

reader company especially when he is alone. Most human
interest stories are very interesting to read.
 Developmental function
 In developing country like the Philippines, scholastic as well as
commercial journalism has been given nobler significance. The
young writer who use to spend more time reporting on club
activities like elections and parties, and writing lines to Delilah, has
graduated into development journalist. As such, he has included his
community in his beat, and sometimes touches on topics of national
significance. He has been encouraged to write on increasing
agricultural productivity, land reform, expanded health, medical and
other social welfare services, population education, rural
electrification, nutrition education, and promotion of a deeper
culture consciousness among people.