One of the pressing issues that we face now is the attack against press freedom. The Duterte administration keeps on pushing back vanguards of truth such as Rappler and Philippine Daily Inquirer. While journalists keep on battling tyrant leaders, there are still people, astonishingly, who believe that there is no threat against the media.
As educators, it may seem as an issue unimportant from the matters that we handle in our school. Yet journalism is a part of the social fiber of our community that encourages us to fight for freedom and that inspires us to work among the underprivileged. Journalism is the instrument by which we preserve democracy and a tool by which we protect ourselves. Suffice it to say, students should be more aware of journalism and how it can help them become better versions of themselves.
First, journalism sharpens critical thinking. The newspaper informs us about the news and stories happening inside and outside the Philippines. But more than that, journalism provides opinions—opinions from people of different walks of life, opinions we can either conform to or negate to, and opinions which will either build us or destroy us.
Similarly, journalism helps students develop their writing skills. A lot of Philippine schools have been supportive about advancing and promoting campus journalism. However, a number of institutions have been, still, oblivious of the importance that campus journalism brings to the students individually and collectively. Teachers and school heads should view journalism not as a contest they have to win, but a scholastic characteristic they have to build. Journalism is not an event; it should be part of students’ life. Journalism is not an option but a necessity for one to survive, for one to thrive.
Most importantly, journalism kills ignorance. The goal of education does not only confine to nurturing the cognitive aspect of the students but as well as their affective aspect. Journalism is a good way of teaching students that there is more to life outside their classrooms, that a lot of stories are waiting to be seen and unheard, and that they are part of a bigger community. Journalism is a good way of teaching our Filipino students to be more humane.
By: Anna Liza F. Layno | Teacher III | JEAG MHS
