BACOLOD, Lanao del Norte -- Thanks to Joe Felicilda and Dr. Maria Eva Edon of Department of Education’s Division in Lanao del Norte, I was invited to judge and impart the things I learned from experience relating to television broadcasting, as it turned out that this is now on its second year being part of the competition in schools press conferences.
Radio and television broadcasting competitions are only a few of the additional contests in the annual gathering of schools from division level in cities and municipalities, up to the national level. Schools press conferences have become an annual event organized by the Department of Education as this was mandated by the Republic Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.
The law acknowledges the importance of campus press as manifestation of the country’s Constitutional provision on freedom of expression and the press. Hence, schools are supposed to promote utmost tolerance in exercising democracy, however, this might turn out off in reality as there are issues surrounding as to what extent of press freedom can the campus press exhibit in their outputs without the fear of being pressured by school officials and administration.
Another issue was how well are these students are trained, the same way how journalists in the media applied what they have learned on the field. The usual contention was that not all school teachers have equal capacity in training students, especially in elementary, in a manner and practice the same way with journalists. That is why it depends in every region or division on partnering with “actual” media practitioners to help them with the task in improving the journalistic skills of these budding students.
But perhaps the sadder part of this campus journalism journey in schools are the students themselves. Some who joined the schools press conference were pre-selected by their school teachers, believing they have potential to excel in the craft, some were chosen to participate because there are no other better choice, and for exposure purposes; while there are some who genuinely eager to be part in the world of journalism, seeing themselves to be working in the media world someday.
And yet, reality and adulthood will dawn upon them. They would realize that the passion working in the media and become journalists will no longer interest them, more so after seeing the ever-consistent less-compensated work environment in the country – especially when you are based in the regions.
That is why journalism is not only a profession and a vocation, not to mention that it requires utmost adherence to ethical standards in order to maintain credibility in handing out stories for public scrutiny. It was never also a ticket to fame and comfort living as most people would perceived it, because your physical and mental endurance are tested to the core, let alone dealing with threats as you are doing your job.
Among thousands of students join schools press conference every year, perhaps only few of them would become practicing journalists in the future after college. If that is not passion dictating them to work in the field they love, then maybe it’s a calling – a destiny.
nefluczon@gmail.com
