The importance of campus journalism does not only stem from its effect on young student journalists, but its effect on all students and on the youth as a whole. Republic Act 7079, also known as the Campus Journalism act of 1991, is the declared policy of the State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level, promoting the development and growth of campus journalism to strengthen and encourage values, critical thinking, moral character, and personal discipline of the Filipino youth. 

 

However, to students who are not campus journalists, campus journalism seems to be either of low importance or irrelevant. Many talented writers are unable to showcase their skills in order to focus on their academics due to academic gaps produced by distance learning during the pandemic, student journalists being unavailable in classes during their training for School Press Conference, and the diminishing interest of most students in traditional media outlets of journalism, such as newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio, are greatly affecting the relevance of campus journalism in the youth’s lives. 

 

Nevertheless, campus journalism and its importance would not exist if the voices represented by journalism pay no heed and if its target audience is not reached.  

 

Campus journalism is where the voiceless would be heard, as student journalists provide a platform where the issues that the students face would be expressed and conveyed. Moreover, campus journalists see issues through the eyes of students, shining light on the issues and experiences that are not told and covered by national media outlets and pushing for an action that the school should act on. Hence, campus journalism is by the people and for the people. 

 

Being an important aspect of empowering students by being informed, campus journalism conveys local, national, and global news. Local news outlets, such as the school publication, play a vital role in informing fellow students or the school faculty about issues that the outside media may miss or not have focused on. With the rising lack of interest in traditional media, campus journalists have adapted by delivering news and fighting misinformation through social media platforms. Take the case of The Golden Harvest, the official student publication of Tarlac Agricultural University, and The Tillers, the official student publication of Tarlac Agricultural University-Laboratory School, with 10 thousand followers and 550 followers respectively on Facebook. Both student publications have provided updates and information regarding Tarlac Agricultural University that you may not see in national media outlets such as PTV, RPN, and IBC and have been made accessible through the social media platform Facebook. 

 

To the student journalists, campus journalism is their avenue for honing their skills and creativity, developing their discipline and integrity, expressing the voice of the students, and covering the issues relevant to the students. To all students, campus journalism is their platform to be heard and to be informed.