Overview of Campus Journalism

a. ORIGIN OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM

On a 4” x 6” sheet of paper, Samuel Fickle Fox penned the first issue of The Students
Gazette on July 11, 1777 at the William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, USA Published
continuously until August 1778, when the British soldiers closed the school; The Gazette is
recognized as the first student publication in the English speaking world.
In the Philippines, The University of the Philippines started publishing its magazine,
College Folio in October 1910 and printed the works of the first promising writers in English. In
1912 the graduates of Manila High School published their English writings in The Coconut. The
following year, 1913, the Philippine Normal School introduced its publication, The TORCH.

b. DEFINITION OF JOURNALISM
The word journal comes from the Latin word diurnal which means “daily”. In ancient
Rome, short bulletins of battles, fires, and elections compiled by government officials were
posted up in public places. These were called acta diurnal which meant “daily events”.
Other definitions of journalism:
• The occupation of writing for publication in newspapers and other periodicals ----Noah
Webster
• Something that embraces all forms in which through which the news and comments on
the news reach the public. All that happens in the world, if such happenings stimulate,
become basic materials for the journalist --- Fraser F. Bond
• Enjoyable co-curricular activity of the school paper staff in collecting, organizing and
presenting news; in writing editorials, columns, literary articles, and features; in
copyreading, proofreading, dummying, and writing headlines – all for the purpose of
putting out a school organ. – School Paper advisers of the City School of Manila

c. SCOPE OF JOURNALISM
• Journalism may be divided into three areas: written, oral, and visual.
• Periodicals such as newspapers and magazines fall under written journalism. A
periodical, defined broadly, is a publication that comes out at regular intervals – daily,
weekly, fortnightly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.
• A newspaper, compared to a magazine, prints more news, has no special cover, and is
printed on special paper called newsprint. News is printed on the front page as well as on
the inside and back pages.
• A magazine, on the other hand, prints more features and human interest stories, has a
special cover usually with a big cut on it, and is often printed on book paper. If ever news
is printed, it is brief, featurized, and found in the inside pages.
 • Periodicals, brochures, journal, books, and graphic arts are classified under print media.
Radio falls under oral journalism, while television, movies and documentaries are under
visual journalism.
• Radio and television are examples of broadcast media while movies and documentaries
are examples of film media.

d. RESPONSIBLITIES OF A CAMPUS WRITER:

• Collecting, verifying and analyzing thoroughly newsworthy information.
• Assembling findings into a stable story
• Writing and delivering news stories with the reader’s perspective in mind
• Publish or broadcast news stories
• Receive assignments or investigate news leads/tips
• Abide by journalism’s ethics and codes
• Contact, interview and research sources
• Maintain notes and audio recordings
• Cooperate with reporters, chief editor, producers, etc.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest current events in the “beat” by studying papers, attending
events etc.
e. THE DO’s and DON’Ts IN CAMPUS JOURNALISM
• DON’T use () [ ] and … If you need parentheses or brackets to explain something,
rewrite the sentence so that you story is clear without them. If you need an ellipsis in a
quote to show that you have left out some words, then rethink the quote.
• DON’T use rhetorical questions: Tell your reader what you have learned. Don’t ask the
reader questions. Sometimes simply rephrasing solves the problem.
• DON’T read minds. Tell readers only what you know.
• DON’T put question or your interview in the story.
• Don’t put your opinions or judgment in the story. stick to facts.
• Don’t write factoids. These look like facts but have no real basis.
• Do write about people doing things, rather than about abstractions.
• Do re-read your work and cut out unneeded words. Be ruthless.
• Do say said. It’s easy. It’s fun. It’s cheap. Use it again and again… nobody will mind.
nobody will notice because said just disappears on the page.

f. THE JOURNALIST’S CREED

I believe in the profession of Journalism.
I believe that the public journal is a public trust; that all connected with it are, to the full measure
of responsibility, trustees for the public; that all acceptance of lesser service than the public
service is a betrayal of this trust.
I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good
journalism.
I believe that a journalist should write only what he holds in his heart to be true.
I believe that suppression of the news, for any consideration other than the welfare of society, is
indefensible.
I believe that no one should write as a journalist what he would not say as a gentleman; that
bribery by one’s own pocket book is as much to be avoided as bribery by the pocketbook of
another; that individual responsibility may not be escaped by pleading another’s instructions or
another’s dividends.
I believe that advertising, news and editorial columns should alike serve the best interests of
readers; that a single standard of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail for all; that supreme
test of good journalism is the measure of its public service.
I believe that the journalism which succeeds the best-and best deserves success-fears God and
honors man; is stoutly independent; unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power;
constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers
but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of the privilege
or the clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance, and as far as law, an honest wage
and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic
while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship, is a
journalism of humanity, of and for today’s world.

g. The Charter of Student Press Rights

The following conditions are essential for a free student press:
• The student press, in accordance with the right of the United Nations (Draft) Convention
on Freedom of Information, should be free from regulations by any organ of the
government or by the university authorities;
• The student press, except where it is an official organ of a student organization, should be
free from regulations by other student organization;
• The student press, should be free from all pressures, financial and other external groups;
• The student press should have a free access to information and the same rights and
privileges as afforded to regularly accredited journalists.

h. The Code of Student Press Ethics

Believing that all student publications throughout the world should respect the basic principles of
human rights and that they should maintain good quality workmanship and a high standard of
conduct, the following Code of Ethics for observance by student journalists is recommended:
• The student journalist should strive continuously to be unbiased and accurate in his/her
reports and should equip himself adequately with the facts to support his/her published
statements. He/She should realize his/her personal responsibility for everything he/she
submits for publication.
 • The student journalist should reveal his/her identity as a representative of the student
press before obtaining any interview for publication.
• The editor should not exclude a student point of view solely because it is contrary to the
editorial policy.
• The editor should apologize in print at the first available opportunity for all mistakes.
• A student journalist should depend freedom through the hones collection and publication
of news and facts and through the rights of fair comment and criticism.
• Student journalists should be familiar with the laws of libel and contempt of court which
exist in their country and should observe the international copyright agreement unless this
interferes with the freedom of the press or the need to inform the public on vital matters.
Every effort should be made to retain the independence of all students from public
relations, censorship, pressure or undue influence from any outside body, political,
governmental religious of in the university. Official publications of a student union,
however, have a particular responsibility to that union.

i. Declaration of Principles: Aims of Student Journalists

• That Journalism plays one of the most essential roles in the life of man, i.e. the
expression of thinking;
• that student journalism as a means of expressing thoughts tends to strengthen unity,
understanding an friendship among all the students of the world;
• that through a mandate of the press conference, it is the duty of the student press to take a
position on current problems based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and on
the Charter of the Student Press;
• that in order to define the responsibility of the student press in a Code of Ethics, it is
necessary first of all to establish the duties and obligations of the student journalist and
make a declaration of principles containing the aims and objectives to be implemented by
the student press, resolves to declare as fundamental principles to be implemented by the
student journalists the following:
1. Culture: Student journalism must be a means of propagating culture in all its
forms.
2. Freedom of the Press: it is necessary in order to insure the very existence of
journalism that full freedom of the press exists in the country in which student
publications are issued because the freedom of the press exactly reflects the
liberty of opinion and expression in any democratic country.
3. Freedom of Culture: as the exchange of ideas and opinions is an effective means
of obtaining understanding between all students of the world it is indispensable
for such understanding that all men have full freedom of thought, conscience and
religion.
 4. Totalitarianism, Colonialism, Imperialism: Student journalist should pursue
and condemn totalitarianism, colonialism, and imperialism in all their forms as
these are systems opposed to the highest aspirations of student around the world;
5. Student Dignity: student journalism, recognizing its responsibility as a medium
of expression and orientation, declares that it will try to be effective in favor of
student and human rights in accordance with various resolutions of the
International Student Press Conference which says that:
“. . . all people should have access to an education enabling them to realize their
full potentialities and available equally to all without regard for color, economic
circumstances, sex, political or religious convictions and social standing; that
people should be free to develop their educational systems in keeping with their
own culture and traditions.”

Types and Functions of Campus Journalism

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed published or released by an
organization or school whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial
box.
The campus paper like any other media has functions.

AID TO STUDENTS
a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing.
b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers.
c. Acts as stimulus to better work.
d. Develops students’ power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of
news articles.
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing.
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts, salesmanship,
bookkeeping and business management.
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility and leadership.

AID TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

a. Informs the community of the work of the school.
b. Publishes school news.
c. Creates and expresses school opinions.
d. Makes known the achievements of the school.
e. Helps unify the school.
f. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities.
g. Develops right standard of conduct.
h. Provides and outlet for students’ suggestions for the betterment of the school.
i. Develops better interschool relationship.
 j. Develops school spirit.
k. Develops cooperation between the parents and the school.

The campus paper also has these following functions:

• INFORMATION FUNCTION
This is the news functions of the campus paper: to inform. Since information
dissemination is the maid purpose of the campus paper, this is the function most likely performed
by any campus paper. It gives the readers information concerning the things around the
community and within the school.
• OPINION FUNCTION
Through the editorials and editorial columns, the editor has the chance to post his opinion
regarding current events inside the school and the community. The main purpose for this is to
persuade to reader toward a certain point of view.
• EDUCATION FUNCTION
Tabooed topics such as sex, sex education, family planning and the like are extensively and
intensively discussed by writers of campus papers. This is one of the most important functions of
the campus paper: to educate.
• WATCHDOG FUNCTION
The school paper serves as an eye for the readers to see what is happening in the school and
to guard the right of the young ones.
• LABORATORY FUNCTION
It serves as the teaching tool for budding journalists. Neophytes pattern their new experience
from the existing and past papers.
• DOCUMENTATION FUNCTION
Important school events and worthwhile student accomplishments and achievements are
recorded in the campus paper for posterity’s sake. Most present day stories are researched from
old newspapers.
• ENTERTAINMENT FUNCTION
The school paper, like an interesting book, keeps the reader company especially when he is
alone. Most human interest stories are stimulating to read.
• DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTION
In developing a country like the Philippines, scholastic and commercial journalism has been
given greater and nobler significance. The sources of new journalists are school also. Journalists
in campus publications are most likely to be the journalists of the future. The young journalist
whose news deals with club activities, school elections and campus activities will eventually
become a better one whose news deal with activities of the nation, national elections, and
national concerns. The developmental function of the campus paper doesn't only have
implications on the young one himself but also on the school as a whole. School administrators
and staff may reflect their performance on the school paper and see what improvements must be
done.
Traits of Good Writers: Roy Peter Clark
1. Good writers see the world as their journalism laboratory, a storehouse of story ideas.
2. Good writers prefer to discover and develop their own story ideas.
3. Good writers are voracious collectors of information.
4. Good writers spend too much time and creative energy working on their leads.
5. Good writers talk about “immersing themselves” into the story.
6. Most good writers are bleeders rather than speeders.
7. Good writers understand that an important part of writing is the mechanical drudgery of
organizing the material.
8. Good writers rewrite.
9. In judging their work, good writers tend to trust their ears and their feelings more than
their eyes.
10. Good writers want to tell stories.
11. Good writers are primarily to please themselves and to meet their own exacting
standards, but they also understand the writing is a transaction between writer and reader
12. Good writers take chances in their writing.
13. Good writers are lifelong readers, mostly novels, and they like movies.
14. Good writers write too long, and they know it.