DAVAO CITY (March 21) — Student journalists from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)–Davao lit candles at Freedom Park on Friday night, turning a quiet vigil into a pointed protest against what they describe as a continuing pattern of attacks on campus press.
The demonstration was sparked by a recent incident involving Primum Publication of the University of Mindanao, which the group said reflects broader threats faced by student publications nationwide.
Holding candles and placards, participants condemned what they called a culture of impunity surrounding violations against campus journalists.
“Not an isolated case”
For the group, the attack is not an anomaly—but part of a long-standing trend.
CEGP-Davao cited more than 1,000 documented cases of campus press freedom violations since 2010, ranging from:
- Censorship of content
- Defunding of publications
- Administrative interference
- Harassment and intimidation
These incidents, they said, reveal systemic weaknesses in protecting student media, even within academic institutions meant to uphold free expression.
Law exists—but enforcement questioned
At the center of the issue is the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, a landmark policy designed to guarantee the independence of student publications.
More than three decades after its passage, student journalists argue that the law’s promise remains only partially fulfilled.
“The protections are there on paper,” one protester said, “but enforcement and accountability are where it breaks down.”
Advocates point to recurring patterns:
- School administrations exerting editorial control
- Budget allocations being withheld or delayed
- Student editors facing pressure over critical reporting
Expanding the fight: a push for stronger safeguards
The protest also widened its scope beyond campus concerns, linking student press issues to the broader state of media freedom in the country.
Media and youth groups continue to call for the passage of the proposed Campus Press
Freedom Bill, which seeks to:
- Strengthen legal protections for student journalists
- Penalize violations by school authorities
- Ensure editorial independence and financial autonomy
Supporters argue that without stronger legal teeth, campus publications will remain vulnerable to the same pressures that affect the wider media landscape.
Why campus press matters
For many student journalists, campus publications serve as their first—and sometimes only—space to practice independent journalism.
They often cover:
- School governance issues
- Student welfare concerns
- Local community stories overlooked by mainstream media
