LLOYDLUNA Digest

Campus Journalism in the Philippines: Mind the Gap

By Lloyd A. Luna
Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines
Website: www.lloydluna.com
Mobile: +639186258951

The dramatic growth and transition of campus journalism in the Philippines has been a
big story recently. The Philippines today has tens of thousands of young writers who
write for the school newspapers and become the most fragile components that are
prone to corruption and harassment

Despite the existence of Republic Act 7079 otherwise known as the Campus Journalism
Act of 1991 provided for the development of campus journalism, about 30% of the
operating campus publications in Metro Manila alone are not technically capable of
producing well-verse and quality newspapers; 25-40% cannot exercise press freedom
because of threat from the school administration; another 30-40% is involved in radical
activism.

Do these figures mean that Campus Journalism in the Philippines has truly joined the
good-to-nothing sectors of the society? Can these be one of the reasons why there is
corruption in Philippine media? Or do these scenarios connote immature exercise of the
freedom of expression? Do these numbers indicate campus media going backwards?

The new NCJP Report, Campus Journalism in the Philippines: Mind the Gap, shows
that behind the what is known, another interesting story is unfolding a rising neglect and
priority gap between school papers and school administration and the non-political
groups revolving around it with serious implications for development in Philippine media.

Consider the following:

· By the end of 2005, another 20-30% of the total existing publication today will be
closed
· In all parts of the country, non-mandatory collection of publication fee may be
implemented in more than 100 schools
· In the National Capital Region, 35-45% may still exist through advertisement revenues
· In Northern Luzon, roughly 10-20% may not be supported by the school
administration; in the Visayas, 15-25% and in Mindanao 20-30%

Has the Philippines entered the not-so-good quality media arena with a bang? After all,
rising number of depressed campus publications indicate drifting, discouraging national
media trends where communications play a vital role.
Blipping off the Radar: The Need for Focus

On the surface of the gloomy circumstances may look like a worsening story. But when
some student leaders and campus editors find an opportunity to unite and move for
proactive approach in solving some miseries, a number of NGOs and concerned groups
have reasons to be interested, particularly those covering business, economics, print
media and information and Communications Technologies.

Still, the issue gains greater urgency in light of the growing harassment cases of
campus journalists. The ending of immature battle between the school organs and the
school administration is meant to lead to more efficient services to the students and it
does so especially in the imperial Manila where unpredictable tallies and protests are
prevalent.

Some school administrations don’t see the very crucial role that these young writers
play. In the promotion of the development of students, for example, campus papers do
the talking. They act as mirrors of the school as a whole as they portray the reflection of
the institution of learning. This simply means people outside the campus consider these
papers as references. Some of the administrators lose sight of potentially serious long-
term positive impact that these papers can produce.

Campus Publications and Development

Why is campus journalism an important issue? Simply because communication in its

very essence is central to development.

Campus Publications are vital tools for the development of the school not only for the
administration but also for the students and every other personnel working in the
institution. In a national perspective, student publications have become a major effective
tool of communication while the country is yet to liberate in the Information Society.
Something few schools can afford to do without whether in private or public schools.

Students need channels of communication for a variety of reasons, including access to

education, information, livelihood and probable employment ahead of their schooling to
mobilize its community members and maintain connections and social networks and to
actively participate in democratic politics.

The Old Ways

Prior to Marcos regime when the Martial Law was implemented, newspapers were
shutdown. The only channel that “nationalists’ can use were student publications. The
Philippine Collegian was known to be most courageous school paper that went against
the government along with other member publications of the College Editors Guild of
the Philippines.

But after “those days are gone”, it seems that student publications are still living the old
ways. Sour-grapping and culture of bitterness remain to be a barrier that separates
administration and publication. Students show that more than 30 percent of the total
school organs are in disparity.

Misunderstanding often results to radical activism, rallies, chaotic campus politics,

sensationalized journalism.

What are we called to do…

Campus journalist should act in accordance to the challenge of his time. Modern
roadblocks need modern-day solutions. Instead of focusing on projects and programs
that are national in nature, why not reach the grassroots and localize actions.

Grassroots media training means empowerment of journalists down the line. It means a
boost to their morale and spirit to focus on their strength and plans for their
communities. Through this, they would realize their potentials as potent tools in
community building rather than radical activism and sensationalism.

Projects to be implemented…

1. Regional/Provincial Leadership Congress for Campus Journalists

2. Kapihan, roundtable forum of writers (school level, consortium, municipal, provincial)
3. Semestral journalism training (per publication)
4. Forge partnership with local newspapers (OJT, practicum, and experience sourcing)
5. Values formation/team building workshop
6. Regional/Provincial competitions ( as per RA 7079 to be requested to CHED)
7. Organize campus journalists exchange programs
8. Mobilize campus journalists at immersion programs to tackle community concerns
rather than national issues
9. Organize dialogue with community leaders, local government officials and NGO’s to
get first hand information
10. Coordinate/network programs with neighbor publications and local NCJP chapters

---
The author is an outstanding Filipino Youth Leader awarded by the President of the
Republic of the Philippines and presently works as Founding Chairman and CEO of the
Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines [CampusJournalism.com].
Journalist’s Code of Ethics (Philippines)
Formulated by Philippine Press Institute and National Press Club

1. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress
essential facts or to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognise the
duty to air the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.

2. I shall not violate confidential information or material given me in the exercise of my

calling.

3. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs
and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press
when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

4. I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation
unless the public interest justifies it. At the same time, I shall fight vigorously for public
access to information.

5. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my

duties; nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature
which may cast doubt on my professional integrity.

6. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

7. I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersions on, or degrade any person by
reason of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

8. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I
shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors and women involved in criminal
cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

9. I shall not take unfair advantage of fellow journalists.

10. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my
profession, invoking the ‘conscience clause’ when duties imposed on me conflict with
the voice of my conscience.

11. I shall comport myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such
manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be
my watch word.

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English News Writing
Exercise: Philippines for
APEC 2015
Posted on September 10, 2012
Here’s an exercise for news writing in english.

INSTRUCTIONS: Write a news article based on the following facts.

Write an appropriate headline for your article.
 The Philippines will host the APEC Summit in 2015.
 “We welcome the offer of the People’s Republic of China, the
Philippines, and Peru to host APEC in 2014, 2015, and 2016
respectively,” said the 2012 Vladivostok Leaders’ Declaration. “We
welcome the invitation from the President of Indonesia to meet again
in Bali in 2013,” it added.
 The 21 APEC members agreed to end by 2015 raising new barriers
for the following: investment, trade in goods & services, imposing
new export restrictions, implementing the World Trade Organization
(WTO) measures with effects to protect members in the face of the
global economic downturn.
 For food security, APEC member economies reaffirmed its
commitment to a 10% improvement in supply-chain performance by
2015, in terms of reduction of time, cost, and uncertainty of moving
goods and services through the Asia-Pacific region.
 The representatives of the summit had a sumptuous dinner with
Cornish Crab Salad on Lemon Blini, Pressed Duck Terrine with Fruit
Chutney, Roulade of Goat Cheese with Caramelized Walnuts,
Assortment of Palmiers and Cheese Straws, Scottish Smoked Salmon
Rose on Beetroot Blini, Miniature Watercress and Asparagus Tart and
Quail Eggs with Celery Salt.
  The environment was given focus with the leaders expressing
concern on trafficking of endangered and protected wildlife species.
A commitment was directed at strengthening efforts in combating
illegal trade of environmental resources.
 Other commitments for strengthening are as follows: drive against
terrorism; improve travel and tourism for job creation and disaster
management.
 Members of the APEC are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada,
Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea,
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines,
Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America, and
Vietnam.
 The news was formally announced at the end of the 20th Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting,
Vladivostok, Russia

Filipino News Writing

Exercise: Smuggling
ng metal
Posted on September 10, 2012
Here’s an exercise for news writing in filipino.

PANUTO: Sumulat ng isang balita, base sa mga sumusunod ng

detalye ng balita. Gawan ito ng ulo/headline.
 Nagreklamo ang mga lokal ng manufacturer ng mga produktong
bakal laban sa umano’y talamak na pagpapalusot ng “finished metal
products”
 Nagtataka ang mga nagrereklamo kung paano nailusot ang mga
steel rods sa presyong mas mababa sa presyo ng scrap metals.
 Ang paliwanag ng Cebu Customs sa mga nagrereklamo ay
“transaction value method” ang ginamit para malaman ang buwis at
taripa sa mga imported products.
 Sa sistema ng “transaction value method” tanging dokumento lang
ng shipment na nakalagay ang presyo at notaryado sa
pinanggalingan ng produkto ang kailangan. Pwedeng tanggapin na
lamang ito ng customs collector kahit na may iba pang prescribed
BOC valuation methods and references para ma-double check ang
deklaradong presyo.
 “Kung seryoso ang BOC na sawatain ang technical smuggling,
madali lang, kung mahigpit nilang i-enforce ang Valuation Procedure
o kaya dapat i-cross reference yan sa Metal Bulletin Weekly, Steel
Business Briefing of London o MySteel ng China kung saan makikita
ang tamang presyo ng bakal o metal,” sabi ng tagapagsalita ng mga
nagrereklamo.
 Ang reklamo ay nagmula sa Philippine Iron and Steel Institute at
Galvanized Iron Wire Manufacturing Association at ipinarating kina
Department of Finance (DOF) Sec. Cesar Purisima at Bureau of
Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ruffy Biazon.
 Ang Philippine Iron and Steel Institute at Galvanized Iron Wire
Manufacturing Association ay may annual sports festival kung saan
nagsasama-sama ang lahat ng mga miyembro mula sa buong bansa
para makipagtagisan ng galing sa iba’t ibang isports tulad ng figure
skating at gymnastics.
 Ang inirereklamo ay isang kumpanya na naka-base sa Mandaue at
mayroong maliit na steel rolling plant. Ang kumpanya ay ang
pangunahing nag-aangkat ng finished steel products tulad ng
‘smaller sized steel wire rods’ na nirorolyo para maging ‘reinforcing
steel bars’ at ibinebenta sa mga hardware store para sa mga maliliit
na construction projects.
 Ang reklamo ay nagmula sa mga local na manufacturer ng mga
steel products sa Cebu.
  Ang mga ‘finished metal products’ ay ibinebenta sa mas mababang
halaga kaysa sa scrap metal.

http://campusjournkuya.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/filipino-news-writing-exercise-
smuggling-ng-metal/

Question Excerpt
1. What is the Campus Journalism Act of the Philippines?
A. Journalism Act of 1991
B. Journalism Act of 1981
C. Journalism Act of 1983
D. Journalism Act of 1993
2. It refers to the Press' duty of imparting events to our society with a view to present them later
on, in decent manner to the society people.
A. Social Responsibility
B. Legal Responsibility
C. Professional Responsibility
3. It refers to the responsibility of a journalist to have commitment in his work.
A. Professional Responsibility
B. Legal Responsibility
C. Social Reponsibility
 4. It refers to a journalist's responsibility of not intervening or inflicting to someone's privacy or
confidential matter until it is required to be brought notice to the public.
A. Legal Responsibility
B. Professional Responsbility
C. Social Responsibility
5. Make sure that the right facts are there and those facts are right.
A. Accuracy
B. Bias
C. Context
6. Make sure to present all sides, arguments and opinions.
A. Fairness
B. Accuracy
C. Context
7. "Never use the ideas, words and concepts of others without giving credit to sources"- is one
of the Campus Journalism don'ts. It refers to:
A. Plagiarism
B. Bias
C. Sloppy Reporting
8. Don't report a story if you are not completely independent of that story
A. Bias
B. Sloppy Reporting
C. Conflicts of interests
9. Never invent any characters, events or quotations in your story
A. Bias
B. Deception
C. Sloppy Reporting
10. Don't offer news to your readers that are of irrelevant to their interests and lives.
A. Poor News Judgment
B. Bias
C. Conflict
11. Bonus question: Who is the Chief Justice that is currently in an Impeachment Trial?
A. Renato Corona
B. Ruben Corona
C. Ricardo Corona
12. Who was the ARROYO man who died last January 26 due to Cardiac Arrest?
A. Mike Arroyo
B. Iggy Arroyo
C. Mikey Arroyo
13. Who is the current DEpEd Secretary of the Philippines?
A. Armin Luistro
B. Arwin Luistro
C. Alvin Luistro
14. What is the newest slogan of the Department of Tourism
A. It's more exciting in the Philippines
B. It's more fun in the Philippines
C. It's more enjoyable in the Philippines
15. Who is the current date of President NoyNoy?
A. TV Host Grace Lee
B. Beauty Queen Ma.Venus Raj
C. Actress Iza Calzado

In Campus Journalism: Editorial Writing

 Editorial write-ups express facts and opinions in concise,
logical, pleasing order for the sake of entertaining or influencing
opinion, or of interpreting significant news on public issues or
policies in such a way that its importance to the average reader is
made clear. They are usually written in an elegant but understandable
language.
Expressive of the paper’s stand on vital issues, the editorial is
a personal commentary written by any member of the editorial staff who
comments on issues relevant to the public. It’s a critical
interpretation of significant, usually contemporary events so that the
readers will be informed, influenced, or entertained. It’s the voice
of the paper, not of an individual editor. Moreover, it tries to
express the people’s conscience, cause, and convictions in relation to
prevalent issues and events.

Types of Editorial

 Editorial of Entertainment aims to entertain. Short and amusing,

it espouses humor to suggest the truth.
 Editorial of Information seeks to give the facts unknown to the
readers, with minimum explanation.
 Mood Editorial written by two or more editors from different
newspapers which they publish simultaneously in their respective
papers.
 Pooled Editorial written by two or more editors from different
newspapers which they publish simultaneously in their respective
papers.
 Editorial of Interpretation explains the meaning of a news event,
current idea, theory, or conditions.
 Editorial of Commendation, Appreciation, or Tributecommends a
person or organization for worthwhile deeds accomplishments.
 Editorial of Criticism points out both the good and bad features
of events or situations to influence the reader and to suggest a
solution.
 Editorial of Argumentation or Persuasion argues in order to
convince or persuade some people.

Characteristics of Editorial
1. Forceful
2. Brief
3. Interesting
4. Clear
5. Purposive
6. Soundly Argumentative
7. Influential
8. Logical
 9. Unified
10. Direct
11. Factual

Points to Observe in Writing the Editorial

 Don’t sound too moralistic
 Observe brevity in your sentences and paragraphs
 Use impelling leads that could win the reader’s interest
 Keep the editorial short
 Use “we” instead of “I”
 Develop only one specific idea phrased in one sentence
 Relate the editorial to the readers’ lives
 Don’t dwell on generalities
 Write in simple, clear, direct and forceful manner
 Accomplish your purpose
 Organize all data into well-reasoned arguments
 Direct the editorial towards a consensus
 Make the form and style agree with its content and purpose
 Ensure its relevance to students, school, community and the
country

Writing the Editorial

 The Introduction – usually a short paragraph containing the
newspeg with the reaction.

Example:
For our students to come out second in the NSAT
region-wide is a source of great pride and inspiration
for our school.

Editorial Beginnings:

A quotation relevant to the subject under discussion

A narrative illustrating the situation
A striking statement that grabs attention
A question that opens the rooms for discussion
A simple statement

 The Body – may take two or three paragraphs that support,

justify, or elaborate the reaction or stand made in the introduction.
 The Ending – last paragraph otherwise known as punch line or
clincher. It summarizes the editorial’s stand.
Transcript of Campus Journalism: Writing the Editorial
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD EDITORIAL
“An editorial is an article in a newspaper giving the editor’s view or
those of the person or persons in control of the paper.” - A. Gayle
Waldrop
“It is the expression of the people’s conscience, cause, and
conviction.” - Joseph Pulitzer
“The modern editorial includes analyses and clarifications,
sometimes with no opinion given.” - Arthur Copper
It is the official stand of the paper on a relevant development or
issue.
"The editorial should provide the background in which the facts are
seen in a new perspective and should express its opinion." -Rufus
Terral
"Bitterness, bias, and fear have no place in an editorial. They make
for weakness no matter how much they bluster." -William Allan
White
"It is a presentation of facts and opinion in a concise, logical
manner, or of interesting significant news in such a way that its
importance to the average reader will be clear." -M. Lyle Spencer
According to Reddick, there are three qualities of a good editorial:

INTEREST
BREVITY
FORCE

A good editorial must:

• Have clearness of style
•Has moral purpose
•Has sound reasoning
•Has the power to influence public opinion

>Lead logically to a conclusion

>Present only one idea
>Avoid wordiness
 >Present the facts and not mere opinion

In Campus Journalism: Sports Writing

Sports page is one of the most read sections of the newspaper

because it is filled with action and emotion of players who are
idolized by sports enthusiasts.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD SPORTS WRITER:

 Must be a sports enthusiast.

 Must know the basic roles, strategies, team and players or team
records.
 Ability to take note quickly without missing the important
sequence of the play.
 Must be fair in reporting even if he has a favourite team or
player.
 Must observe accuracy in presenting facts.
 Has wide knowledge on sports lingo.

QUALITIES OF SPORTS
 Basically, it answers the five W’s and one H.
 It primarily describes the most thrilling and eventful part of
the game.
 It uses more colourful words, adjectives, figures of speech,
local color and longer sentences, which are not commonly used in
straight news.
 It uses special vocabulary called sports lingo.
KINDS OF SPORTS NEWS:
1. Advance news – it gives advance information in the coming events.
The following are the

expected contents of the advance news.

a. Significance of the game.

b. Historical background of the game or event.

c. Physical and mental qualities of the athletes.

d. Strengths and weaknesses of each player and team based on their

previous

competitions.

e. Venue of the event.

f. Expected viewers.

g. Weather that could affect the game.

h. Statement of the coaches and athletes.

2. Coverage story – an on the spot news of an actual game or event. It

contains important

reports like the following:

a. Outcome of the winner, score of both teams.

b. Significance of the outcome – the prize or the chance to move on to

the higher level of

competition.

c. Spectacular parts of the game – how the winner outsmarted the

loser, see-sawing

scores and last minute play.

d. Comparison of the strength and weaknesses of the athletes of both

teams.

e. Star player

f. Weather

g. Audience/viewers

3. Follow-up sports story – it summarizes the activities of the team.

It also analyzes the recently

concluded game like a player who was injured and the psychological
aspects of the players.

4. News based on the records – it is based on the data gathered from

authorities or officials of
 the game. It could also be a summary of different events almost
simultaneously played in an

athletic meet.

WRITING THE SPORTS STORY:

1. Headline

a. Red Bull frustrates SMB

b. Skygo stuns Shark

c. South Korea topples China in OT

d. Realtors outgun Turbo Chargers

e. Tamaraws rout UB Cardinals

2. The Lead

The classic 5W’s appear in the Sports lead as (1) Who Won? (2) Against
Whom? (3) By What Score? (4) Where? (5) When?

Three ways of writing the sports lead

1. Key play – this is usually used when the best angle of the sports
event is through the collective effort of all the members of the
winning team.

University of Santo Tomas held off host Lyceum in a nervy fourth set
to post a 25-13, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory yesterday in the shakey’s
V-League Womens Volleyball Tournament at the Lyceum Gym.

Umiskor and Adamson University ng anim na runs sa second inning upang

gawing tuntungan sa kanilang 6-2 panaig laban sa University of the
East kahapon sa pagpapatuloy ng UAAP Softball Tournament sa UST Field.

2. Outstanding Player – when one or two of the members stand out of

the rest of the players that caused the team to win the game, their
heroic deed is the best angle to start a sports lead.
 James Yap lived up to expectation as he delivered the winning basket
that lifted Purefoods Chunkee Giants to a heartstopping 75-74 overtime
victory over Red Bull last night in the PBA Philippines Cup at the
Araneta Coliseum.

Iginupo ni top seed Anna Patricia Santos si 7 th seed Ivy de Castro, 6-

1, 2-6, 6-0 upang makatuntong sa singles semifinals ng Php
4,000,000.00 PCA Open Tennis Championship sa PCA Indoor Courts, Plaza
Dilao kahapon.

3. Analytical approach – this is used when the team employs a very

spectacular strategy or action that brings them to victory.

Barking on nerve breaking wallops, deadly spikes and tricky placing,

DLSU lady Archers dethroned Far Eastern University in the crucial
third set of their UAAP Women’s Volleyball Championship game, 25-18,
25-22, 25-19 at Cuneta Astrodome yesterday.

Sa pamamagitan ng malalakas na spike at mapaglinlang na placing,

pinadapa ng Abad Santos ES netters and Soliman ES spikers sa
pangatlong set sa iskor na 25-20, 21-25, 25-17 sa isang exhibition
game, Hulyo 26 sa Torres HS oval kaugnay sa pagdiriwang ng Sports
Week.

4. The Body – Contains the play-by-play account of the game.

 Highlights of the game – Find the turning point of the game.

Describe spectacular plays. Tell about the last minute fumble.
 Decisive play – the most crucial part of the game that gives a
certain team the winning margin.
 Play-by-Play – Describe the progress of the game in detail but
due to limited space, play-by-play has to be condensed.
 Comparison of the Teams – Which was the better team? Who did
better in the foulline? In what department were the losers weak?
 Best score for the day – what did they do to become the heroes of
the game?
 Quotation – it is customary for the star player or coach to have
his sentiments recorded for posterity.
 Weather condition – Mud, sunshine, heat, cold, or wind may have a
bearing on the game.
 Crowd and Celebration – How did the spectators behave?

SUGGESTED WAYS TO GATHER DATA ON SPORTS NEWS:

1. Before the game:

a. Know the roles of the game.

b. Know key people

c. List down their names in full and check the spelling.

d. Interview key person who are involved in the game.

2. During the actual game

a. Look for a good working place where you can closely witness the
game.

b. Observe closely and list down the following:

i. The most thrilling part of the game

ii. Unexpected event like a neophyte who perform excellently

iii. Humorous event

iv. Audience Reaction

v. Statement of the players and coaches

3. After the game

a. Check the accuracy of the score from the officials

b. Interview star player or coach of the winning team.

 In Campus Journalism: Feature Writing

FEATURE WRITING

 A feature takes an in-depth look at what’s going on behind the

news.
 It gets into the lives of people.
 It tries to explain why and how trend developed.
 Unlike news, a feature does not have to be tied to a current
event or a breaking story. But it can grow out of something that’s
reported in the news.

Different point of views of feature story:

 The story behind
 Personality in profile
 Tracking a trend

Feature Writing Tips:

 Start with a lead that captures your reader’s attention.

 Move your story along with descriptions of what happened, quotes
from people involved in the issue, and details that place the reader
in the midst of the action.
 Make sure your ending is meaningful.
Features are not meant to deliver the news firsthand. They do
contain elements of news, but their main function is to humanize, to
add colour, to educate, to entertain, to illuminate. They often recap
major news that was reported in a previous news cycle.

Types of Features

1. Personality profiles: A personality profile written to bring an

audience closer to a person in or out of the news. Interviews and
observations, as well as creative writing, are used to paint a vivid
picture of the person. The CBC’s recent profile of Pierre Elliot
Trudeau is a classic example of the genre and makes use of archival
film footage, interviews, testimonials, and fair degree of
editorializing by the voice-over commentary.
2. Human interest stories: A human interest story is written to show
a subject’s oddity or its practical, emotional, or entertainment
value.
3. Trend stories: A trend story examines people, things or
organizations that are having an impact on society. Trend stories are
popular because people are excited to read or hear about the latest
fads.
4. In-depth stories: Through extensive research and interviews, in-
depth stories provide a detailed account well beyond a basic news
story or feature.
5. Backgrounders: A background-- also called an analysis piece--
adds meaning to current issues in the news by explaining them further.
These articles bring an audience up-to-date, explaining how this
country, this organization, this person happens to be where it is now.

In Campus Journalism: Photojournalism

Pictures and artwork are aids in catching the reader’s attention.

A series of black-and-white pages with nothing but printed words is
certainly unattractive. Carefully taken, appropriately chosen and
properly cropped pictures add life to a n otherwise boring and text-
heavy page.

The age of modern technology has made the art of taking

pictures considerably simple and easy. One need not be an expert
photographer to come up with good and well-composed pictures because
most cameras today are equipped with sophisticated devices that take
care of some of the technical concerns of a photographer.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD PICTURE:

A picture worth printing must possess certain qualities. These are:

1. It must feature a prominent personality, event, or place.

2. It should tell a story by itself.
3. It should have a certain degree of human interest. Something odd
or unusual never fails to draw attention.
4. It should capture a portion of the drama of life.
5. It should show a person or persons in action. Posed and stiff
pictures create a sense of inactivity and lifelessness.
6. It must express the recent events.
7. A good picture should clearly show the faces of its subject
matter. A picture of unrecognizable faces means nothing to the
readers.
8. A picture must be properly cropped so that the desired image may
be highlighted. Cropping means getting rid of the undesirable and
unnecessary images of portions of the picture.
9. Any picture must have a caption (also called a cutline)
summarizing the “story” the picture tells. Poetic caption is also
acceptable, and in many instances, attracts readers, example: Icing On
A Concrete Cake, Sa Ihip ng Hangin, Musmos sa Likod ng Rehas, etc...
 In Campus Journalism: Newspaper Design

NEWSPAPER DESIGN

Makeup and Layout

Makeup – arrangement of the display elements on a printed page,

including headlines, body texts, illustrations, photos, white spaces
and column lines. It also refers to the page design of a newspaper
while layout refers to that of a magazine or an advertisement.

Three functions of a newspaper makeup:

1. To provide attractive appearance to the individual pages and a

pleasing harmony or contrast in the continuity of pages.
2. To show the relative importance of news and feature materials
through their positioning in the pages.
3. To facilitate reading through the avoidance of monotony or
disharmony in the appearance of newspaper pages.

Qualities of a good make-up:

 Contrast - A black headline next to the column of gray body type
creates a pleasing contrast. Two or three subheads or quotations from
the story can brighten a wide expanse of gray body text. A picture can
also provide contrast in a page.
 Balance - This is achieved by arranging heavy or dark elements to
offset one another. For example, a three column picture on the upper
left can be balanced by a three--decked, three--column head on the
right.
 Symmetry - Each space should have a focus of attention - a
headline, a picture, or a combination of both to ensure that the
readers’ eyes fall first on that spot.
 Unity - The page should be attractive as a whole, with all its
parts fitting harmoniously together.
 Makeup Patterns:

Forms of designs for the paper:

 Balance Makeup - A balanced page suggests orderliness, precision

of thought and unity. Like elements (same types and sizes) are placed
opposite each other with some intervening white spaces or pictures in
between.
 Brace Makeup - The display elements make a pattern slanting
downward from left to right across the page, like the brace of a
shelf. This kind of design usually has large display of one very
important story.
 Modular Makeup - The front page is divided into four segments or
modules with each one having its own focus of attention. If the page
of a newspaper is divided into a number of modules like a
checkerboard, it is called the grid system. This is usually used in a
magazine layout.

NAMEPLATE OR LOGO

The nameplate or logo of a newspaper is printed across the top

of the front page. This is used as an element of display design.

General practices followed in printing the nameplate:

 The nameplate is smaller in width than the width of the newspaper

page and remains the same in size and appearance.
 Placement of a story at the level above the nameplate means that
the story is an important one.
 One or more headlines should fill the top of the columns beneath
the nameplate, thus providing a solid base on which the nameplate may
rest.

BREAKERS TO MAKE THE PAGE ATTRACTIVE

Boxed Story

A boxed story is usually a very important story or one with human

interest. The box is also used to break up an expanse of gray body
type or to provide a divider between two regular headlines. A boxed
 story should not be placed beside or adjacent a picture because its
effectiveness will be weakened.

Subhead

A subhead is a single line of the same type as the body set in

bold or italics that gives a gist of a part of the story that follows.
It should contain a noun and a verb. Its purpose is to break a series
of gray lines.

Direct Quote

A direct quote from the source of the story.

PRINCIPLES IN NEWSPAPER DESIGN

In order to make the newspaper layout attractive here are some

principles to follow:

 Layout and blacker headlines and pictures should be displayed at

the top of the page. Headlines below should be lighter and smaller.
 Harmony should prevail in the selection of types for headlines.
 Avoid “tombstoming” of headlines. Two headlines of the same types
should not be placed side by side.
 The headline in one column should not be at the same level as any
part of a headline in an adjacent column.
 Wide or unbroken space of gray body text should have subhead or
quotation breakers.
 In Campus Journalism: Editorial Cartooning

Editorial Cartoons:

- Editorials in pictorial/caricature form.

- Supplement and crystallize the editorial commentary.

- Have greater impact than the editorial proper.

- Connect important parts by providing a link between the news and

views of the paper.

- Play a vital and effective function in influencing public opinion.

- Make a character or an event more humorous, interesting and

entertaining.

- Emphasize a single point and topic.

Forms of Editorial Cartooning

 Criticism – discriminating judgement

 Appreciation – true or adequate estimation
 Comment – reflections or observations

Subjects/Topics in Cartooning

 Culture – enlightenment or civilization

 History – past events
 Economics – business, production and consumption of goods and
services
 Political – government, relationship of people and leaders and
among leaders.
 Social – interaction among people
 Tips for Cartooning
1. Limit the use of words and labels to the minimum. Don’t write an
essay.
2. It should have one/single topic.
3. A clear, catchy, attractive and striking cartoon is necessary.
4. Consider your readers in the choice of symbols.
5. Use bold lines and strokes.
6. Be extra careful when shading and shadowing your cartoon.
7. Study and master lines to show basic facial expressions and
emotions.
8. Develop your own style. Watch out for plagiarism.
9. Cartoons are also subject to the laws of libel.
10. The cartoonist should be open to ideas, confer with the editor
and other staff.
11. A cartoon may be has the same topic as the editorial issue.
12. The cartoon may also be on a different topic from that of the
editorial proper.

Steps in Editorial Cartooning

 List down the subjects to choose from.

 Think of the propelling current issue.
 Ask what is the opinion/stand of the paper about the issue.
 Decide the universal symbols to be used.
 Draw more than one cartoon/caricature on the same subject/issue
chosen.
 Finally choose the best editorial cartooning to be printed.

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Module by Ma’am Jess 
God speed.