Campus journos challenged: Share correct info

The author is Teacher I at Sta Tereza 2nd High School Jocelyn R. Tablada

Share correct and truthful information – that is what the Department of Education (DepEd) is challenging campus journalists to practice. At the conclusion of the first-ever virtual National School Press Conference (NSPC) 2021 recently, DepEd officials said the learners’ success as journalists will greatly rely on their firm grip on values and faith. Their talent must be used to communicate and deliver the good news, positive attitude and spread the love for honesty, veracity, and integrity. The objective of NSPC, DepEd officials said, is to demonstrate understanding on the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches, and promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media. They noted that young journalists should not forget the “deepest why” they are writing and expressing themselves and why they want to be heard and understood. In line with this, learners are challenged to be responsible, credible, and equip themselves with the know-how on scrutinizing disinformation from a real one: SelfIdentity, Perspicacity, and Credibility. Self-identity is being aware, mindful, and responsible of own dignity and esteem, and Perspicacity is knowing to identify what is fake from real, while Credibility is being responsible and paying attention to the world. DepEd has been conducting the NSPC yearly to leave a lasting impact on the development of aspiring journalists, sustaining advocacy on social consciousness and environmental awareness, and enhance journalistic competence. The three-day virtual NSPC 2021 was headlined by multi-awarded veteran journalists and speakers including Howie Severino, Malou Mangahas (Investigative Reporting), Susan Enriquez (Radio and Script Writing Fililipino), Stanley T. Chi (Editorial Cartooning), Randolph B. Leongson (Sports Writing), Jeff Canoy (Mobile Journalism), Mark Z. Saludes (Photojournalism), Prof. Danilo A. Arao (Editorial and Column Writing, and Prof. Yvonne T. Chua (News and Feature Writing). In addition, Timothy James Dimacali spearheaded the Science Discovery category, Rupert Ambil, Vino Lucero, and Voltaire Tupaz (Advocacy Journalism), Michael Francis Andrada (Campus Journalism Vlog), John Clifford Sibayan (Online Publication), Maricel Halili and Gerg Anrol Cahiles (TV Scriptwriting and Broadcasting), Mirinza Boncan (Radio Scirptwriting and Broadcasting English), Dale De Vera (Infomercial), Prof. Stephenie Ong Busbus (Development of Instructional Materials in Campus Journalism), and Prof. Jeremaiah Opiniano (Teachers’ Research on Campus Journalism).