Speaking in front of Campus Journalists from across the country, Archie Bergosa, Editor-in-chief (EIC) and founder of Explained PH, a youth-led community of local scribes, addressed the challenges currently faced by publications locally.
Bergosa emphasized that journalism is under attack in the webinar entitled, “Beyond The Spotlight: The True Impact of Campus Journalism on Community and Society,” which convened via Zoom on June 13.
Bergosa addressed the challenges currently faced by student publications. He then mentioned prevalent issues that journalism faces in the country, such as news avoidance and media distrust, attributing these phenomena to concerns such as libel and red-tagging.
He also pointed out that administrative obstacles impede student publications from disseminating stories that campus journalists would like to share.
The low standing of the country on the press freedom index was highlighted in his talk and he also mentioned the harnessing of campus journalism to improve media freedom ratings. He posited that threats against press freedom undermine democratic processes by inhibiting informed decision-making among the public.
Bergosa harps on the wider significance of campus journalism beyond accolades, stating, “We need to make students realize that campus journalism is more than medals and awards. It should be viewed as a movement capable of driving positive changes within our communities.”
He concluded his talk by emphasizing the societal implications of campus journalism, advocating for the proactive defense of press freedom and the cultivation of constructive dialogue.
Virginia “Virg” Magtira, EIC of The Catalyst Student Publication at PUP Sta. Mesa Manila, shared concerns about journalist safety, citing financial constraints as a significant barrier for campus publications. She emphasized the role of campus journalists in advocating for free expression and promoting critical news consumption.
Magtira shared some of the challenges faced by their publication, The Catalyst, which is unable to circulate hard copies and relies solely on online distribution. She said that despite this effort, the publication has encountered issues with shadow banning, limiting its visibility and reach online.
While journalism is usually defined as objective and fearless, Magtira argued that it is rooted in truth-telling and rigorous investigation, acknowledging its subjective nature in the pursuit of accurate reporting.
The session concluded with John Ray Luciano, secretary of the College Editors Guild, delivering his closing remarks. Following this, the hosts facilitated a Q&A forum where comments and questions were addressed by resource speakers Magtira and Bergosa.
Matthew Vitug of Ang Liwanag, Shaun Jacinto and Xyrel Canonoy of The Quantum, represented Pasay City National Science High School in the webinar hosted by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ College of Communication.
