Journalism
Journalism is characterized by an increasing sense of commitment reflected in four
significant factors:
1. increasing association of working journalists,
2. specialized journalism education,
3. rising literature on the history, issues, and methods of mainstream
communication, and
4. growing journalists' perception of ethical responsibility.
Journalism is the presentation of information in periodicals and newspapers
through writing.
Journalism is stimulated by the events happening in the present and depicts the
developing situation.
The Journalists' job is not limited to just covering and publishing the news and events.
They are also responsible for making interpretations and giving opinions on the news
and events.
The word “Journalism” is derived from the word “Journal” which means a daily
register or a diary – a book containing each day’s business or transactions. This
includes newspapers no matter whether they are published daily or weekly.
Scope and Nature of Journalism
Newspapers Journalism. Newspapers contain articles that tell about the current issues
and events that affect the society. Being the oldest and most conventional system of
journalism, newspapers are published on a daily basis to keep its readers updated.
Because of this, it provides great impact on the dissemination of significant information
to the reading public.
Magazine Journalism. Magazines are a special type of publication for readers who
have specialized interests in particular topics. They use traditional journalism methods
of interviewing, background researching, and journalistic writing to produce articles and
stories that are lengthier with much more in-depth exploration of issues, topics, and
trends. Hence, readers find entertainment in reading magazines while at the same time
form their opinions on certain matters elucidated in the articles.
,Radio and TV Journalism. In radio and television journalism, writers are trained on
production techniques and tools, interviewing and communication skills, and research
competencies. So instead of publishing the articles in newspapers, radio and tv
broadcasting become the channel of delivering the latest happenings.
Digital Journalism. Digital journalism or online journalism, according to Poor (2016) is
a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content is distributed via the
Internet as opposed to publishing via print or broadcast.
BRIEF HISTORY OF HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS PAPERS
According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands
(1933) and John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of
campus journalism in the Philippines started when the University of Santo
Tomas published El Liliputiense in 1890.
However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang
Pamahayagan (1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country
started when the University of the Philippines published The College Folio, now
The Phillippine Collegian, in 1910. They also added that The Torch of the
Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila University, and
The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years
later.
Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official
student publication of Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was
published in 1912 and it is now considered the first and oldest high school
newspaper in the country.
In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab,
the first printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since
then, high school newspapers came out one after the other.
Among these high school newspapers 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 Volcano, Batangas
High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928; The Samarinian, Samar
High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The Granary, Nueva
Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Torres High School, 1930; and The
Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.
,LEGAL BASIS OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM
In the Philippines, a law was enacted to provide a legal basis for campus journalism.
Republic Act No. 7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991” was
approved on July 5, 1991.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CAMPUS PAPER
To Inform. Informing the readers is the primary function of any campus paper. School
paper informs the school community particularly the students of the events,
developments and issues concerning them.
To Educate. The school is a place where students learn and campus paper helps
achieve that goal. The school paper also educates the students who absorb the
information presented in the articles they read.
To Entertain. Entertainment comes in many forms and the campus paper is a good
vehicle to deliver that. Readers may find enjoyment in the articles they read. At times,
they take delight in looking at the images. The features page which includes the literary
pieces may present poems, short stories or even serious topics that can students smile,
frown, laugh or even cry.
To Express an Opinion. The campus paper is a tool where the students can air their
stand on specific issues. Editorial and column writers as well as those sending letter to
the editors can talk about their personal views on local and national issues.
To Safeguard. Aside the functions mentioned above, another significant task of the
school paper is to promote the truth and justice not only in the campus but also in the
community. Through the school paper,
students can safeguard their rights to know what is true. Because students have the
freedom to speak their minds, they can use this to uphold the integrity of facts.
To Train Future Journalists. Many great journalists in the country started their careers
as campus paper writers. The school paper simulates the life of professional journalists
so that student writers can acquire the necessary skills and competencies not just in
writing but also in dealing with fellow writers.
Journalism vs. Literature
Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have
relative style. They may be guided by set rules.
Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is categorized into
prose and poetry
, Journalism has main genres that include news, editorial and features. Journalistic
genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs while literature
has a variety of forms and styles.
Tenets of Journalism
1. Responsibility.Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their
readers to write the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be
brave enough to defend facts and the truth behind the news.
2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be
safeguarded by the people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering
heat of the sun may be written so long as there is no infraction to the existing
laws of the land.
3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the
welfare of the general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means
that the services of a journalist should be committed to the interest of the general
public and not driven by the interest of money called "envelopmental journalism."
4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and
information before they are published is an example of being accurate and
truthful. Since facts are the solid foundation of journalism, media men should not
therefore conceal the truth by fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted
statements and erroneous statistics.
Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the treatment
of the articles and on the way arguments and news are written.
5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presenting
information in any journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic
according to the way journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling
the truth and putting information in the right perspective.
Functions and Duties of the Press
1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more
than just a business because it also reflects and influences the life of the whole
academic community.
2. Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.
3. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a moral
responsibility to balance public interest and the gains.
Journalism is characterized by an increasing sense of commitment reflected in four
significant factors:
1. increasing association of working journalists,
2. specialized journalism education,
3. rising literature on the history, issues, and methods of mainstream
communication, and
4. growing journalists' perception of ethical responsibility.
Journalism is the presentation of information in periodicals and newspapers
through writing.
Journalism is stimulated by the events happening in the present and depicts the
developing situation.
The Journalists' job is not limited to just covering and publishing the news and events.
They are also responsible for making interpretations and giving opinions on the news
and events.
The word “Journalism” is derived from the word “Journal” which means a daily
register or a diary – a book containing each day’s business or transactions. This
includes newspapers no matter whether they are published daily or weekly.
Scope and Nature of Journalism
Newspapers Journalism. Newspapers contain articles that tell about the current issues
and events that affect the society. Being the oldest and most conventional system of
journalism, newspapers are published on a daily basis to keep its readers updated.
Because of this, it provides great impact on the dissemination of significant information
to the reading public.
Magazine Journalism. Magazines are a special type of publication for readers who
have specialized interests in particular topics. They use traditional journalism methods
of interviewing, background researching, and journalistic writing to produce articles and
stories that are lengthier with much more in-depth exploration of issues, topics, and
trends. Hence, readers find entertainment in reading magazines while at the same time
form their opinions on certain matters elucidated in the articles.
,Radio and TV Journalism. In radio and television journalism, writers are trained on
production techniques and tools, interviewing and communication skills, and research
competencies. So instead of publishing the articles in newspapers, radio and tv
broadcasting become the channel of delivering the latest happenings.
Digital Journalism. Digital journalism or online journalism, according to Poor (2016) is
a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content is distributed via the
Internet as opposed to publishing via print or broadcast.
BRIEF HISTORY OF HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS PAPERS
According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands
(1933) and John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of
campus journalism in the Philippines started when the University of Santo
Tomas published El Liliputiense in 1890.
However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang
Pamahayagan (1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country
started when the University of the Philippines published The College Folio, now
The Phillippine Collegian, in 1910. They also added that The Torch of the
Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila University, and
The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years
later.
Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official
student publication of Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was
published in 1912 and it is now considered the first and oldest high school
newspaper in the country.
In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab,
the first printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since
then, high school newspapers came out one after the other.
Among these high school newspapers 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 Volcano, Batangas
High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928; The Samarinian, Samar
High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The Granary, Nueva
Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Torres High School, 1930; and The
Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.
,LEGAL BASIS OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM
In the Philippines, a law was enacted to provide a legal basis for campus journalism.
Republic Act No. 7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991” was
approved on July 5, 1991.
FUNCTIONS OF THE CAMPUS PAPER
To Inform. Informing the readers is the primary function of any campus paper. School
paper informs the school community particularly the students of the events,
developments and issues concerning them.
To Educate. The school is a place where students learn and campus paper helps
achieve that goal. The school paper also educates the students who absorb the
information presented in the articles they read.
To Entertain. Entertainment comes in many forms and the campus paper is a good
vehicle to deliver that. Readers may find enjoyment in the articles they read. At times,
they take delight in looking at the images. The features page which includes the literary
pieces may present poems, short stories or even serious topics that can students smile,
frown, laugh or even cry.
To Express an Opinion. The campus paper is a tool where the students can air their
stand on specific issues. Editorial and column writers as well as those sending letter to
the editors can talk about their personal views on local and national issues.
To Safeguard. Aside the functions mentioned above, another significant task of the
school paper is to promote the truth and justice not only in the campus but also in the
community. Through the school paper,
students can safeguard their rights to know what is true. Because students have the
freedom to speak their minds, they can use this to uphold the integrity of facts.
To Train Future Journalists. Many great journalists in the country started their careers
as campus paper writers. The school paper simulates the life of professional journalists
so that student writers can acquire the necessary skills and competencies not just in
writing but also in dealing with fellow writers.
Journalism vs. Literature
Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have
relative style. They may be guided by set rules.
Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is categorized into
prose and poetry
, Journalism has main genres that include news, editorial and features. Journalistic
genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs while literature
has a variety of forms and styles.
Tenets of Journalism
1. Responsibility.Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their
readers to write the truth whatever it costs. For this reason, journalists must be
brave enough to defend facts and the truth behind the news.
2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be
safeguarded by the people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering
heat of the sun may be written so long as there is no infraction to the existing
laws of the land.
3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the
welfare of the general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means
that the services of a journalist should be committed to the interest of the general
public and not driven by the interest of money called "envelopmental journalism."
4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and
information before they are published is an example of being accurate and
truthful. Since facts are the solid foundation of journalism, media men should not
therefore conceal the truth by fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted
statements and erroneous statistics.
Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the treatment
of the articles and on the way arguments and news are written.
5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presenting
information in any journalistic field. Remember, the public will see the topic
according to the way journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercise telling
the truth and putting information in the right perspective.
Functions and Duties of the Press
1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more
than just a business because it also reflects and influences the life of the whole
academic community.
2. Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.
3. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a moral
responsibility to balance public interest and the gains.
