Unit 1: CAMPUS JOURNALISM

Learning Outcomes:
1. defined campus journalism
2. identified the scope of journalism
3. identified functions of a campus paper
4. identified different parts of a campus paper

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.

The UP Writers Club which was organized in 1927 had its literary organ, The Literary Apprentice
which became the most prestigious college literary publication in the country. At about this time UST’s
Varsitarian began to see publication.

JOURNALISM IN GENERAL

Definition of Journalism

The word journal comes from the Latin word diurna 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 diurna 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 or through which the
news and comments on the news reach the public. All that happens
in the world, if such happenings hold interest for the public, and
all the thoughts, actions, and ideas which these 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 Schools of Manila.

What is Campus Journalism?

Campus journalism is defined as “that enjoyable activity of the staff of the campus paper in collecting,
organizing and presenting news, writing editorials, columns, features, and literary articles, taking pictures,
cartooning, copy reading, proofreading, dummying & writing headlines”.

Campus journalism is journalism carried out by university/college students on subjects relating to

campus, published in publications generally only intended for campus. Usually, these publications are available
free of charge to the public and run by students and a faculty adviser.

Legal Framework:

Republic Act No. 7079 (Campus Journalism Act of 1991): This landmark legislation provides the legal
framework for campus journalism in the Philippines.

Key Provisions:

• Guarantees the freedom of the press for student publications.

• Defines the scope and functions of campus journalism.
• Provides guidelines for the operation of student
publications.
• Protects student journalists from censorship and
undue interference.
Importance of Campus Journalism in the Philippines:

Develops Essential Skills:

• Critical thinking: Analyzing information, identifying biases, and
forming informed opinions.
• Research and writing: Gathering information, conducting
interviews, writing clear and concise articles.
• Communication: Effective communication skills, both written
and oral.
• Leadership and teamwork: Working collaboratively within a team, managing projects, and
taking on leadership roles.
Fosters Civic Engagement:
• Provides a platform for students to express their views on campus and societal issues.
• Encourages critical thinking about current events and social problems.
• Promotes active citizenship and social responsibility.
Enhances Creative Expression:
• Provides an outlet for students to express their creativity through writing, photography,
videography, and other forms of media.
• Prepares for Future Careers:
• Provides valuable experience for students who aspire to pursue careers in journalism, media,
and other related fields.
Challenges:
• Censorship: Despite the legal protection, challenges to press freedom still exist in some
institutions.
• Funding and Resources: Limited resources can hinder the production and distribution of student
publications.
• Lack of Training and Mentorship: Insufficient training and support for student journalists can
limit their effectiveness.
• Shifting Media Landscape: Adapting to the evolving media landscape, including digital platforms
and social media, presents new challenges.
Overall:

Campus journalism plays a vital role in the development of well-rounded individuals in the Philippines.
By providing students with valuable skills, fostering critical thinking, and promoting civic engagement, it
contributes significantly to the growth and development of future generations.
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 a 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
bookpaper. If ever news is printed, it is brief and found in the inside pages
Periodicals, brochures, journals, 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.

Functions of modern campus papers:

Information function Watchdog function Entertainment function

Opinion function Laboratory function Developmental function
Education function Documentation function

Part of a Campus Paper

Whether it is a community, metropolitan, or national paper, its parts and sections are more or less the same.
Traditionally, these are:

A. Front Page

1. Local news – news that takes place within the country.

2. Foreign news – news that takes place outside the country.

3. Dateline news – an out-of-town news story. It is introduced by a dateline which states the place
from which the story was reported, the date, and the source of the material if not written by the local staff, as
Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 25 (AP).

4. Weather news – usually a boxed forecast of the area, sometimes the temperature, wind directions,
and velocities.
 5. Index – a slug line indicating an important inside page story and the page where it is found.

6. Other things found on the Front Page: (Those with asterisk may or may not be present).

a. Nameplate – The engraved or printed name of the newspaper, as the Manila Times or PNC Torch.

b. Ears – The little boxes on either side of the nameplate.

c. Banner – The principal headline bearing the boldest and biggest type. It is the title of the most
important news of the day which is called banner news. It may or may not run across the page. It id does, it
may also be called a streamer.

d. Running head – a head made up of two or more lines.

e. Headline – The title of any news story. The word headline is used only for titles of news stories.

f. Deck – a subordinate headline placed immediately below its mother headline, also known as bank or
readout.

g. Lead – The beginning of a news story. It may be a word, a group of words, a sentence, or even a
paragraph.

h. News story – The whole story of an event composed of the lead and the text which is the
elaboration of the lead.

i. Columns – The horizontal division into parts of a newspaper. Many national papers are divided into
eight columns while a typical school paper is divided into five columns of 12ems each.

j. Column rule – The vertical line that divides the page into columns. Most pages of
newspaper are divided into columns by a space usually one cm wide. This space is called the sunken rule.

k. Fold – The imaginary horizontal line that divides the newspaper equally into two parts.

l. Byline – The signature of a reporter preceding a news-feature, as By Warren Cruz.

m. Box – News materials enclosed by line rules.

n. Cut – A metal plate bearing a newspaper’s illustration, also known as cliché

o. Cutline – The text accompanying photos and other art work, better known as a caption. If written
above the photo just like a slugline, it is called an overline.

p. Kicker – A tagline placed above but smaller than a headline, also known as teaser. If it isbigger than
the headline, it is called a hammer.

q. Credit line – A line giving the source of story or illustration, as Reprinted from the “ManilaTimes” or
Photo by MPI.
B. Front Page

1. Folio – Consists of the page number, date of publication, and name of the newspaper, usually
written on top of the page. This is also found in the other pages.

2. Masthead – The editorial box containing the logo, names of the staff members and position in the
staff, subscription rate, the publisher, and other pertinent data about the newspaper. A logo (a shorter word
for logo type) is a cut which contains an identifying word or words, such as the name of the newspaper or of a
section.

3. Editorial proper – A commentary written by any of the editors who comments or gives the opinion of
the staff or of the whole paper on various subjects. It is the stand of the paper.

4. Editorial column - An opinion written by the columnist himself or herself. Like the editorial proper, it
may attack, teach, entertain, or appeal depending upon its purpose.

5. Editorial cartoon – Usually a caricature emphasizing a simple point. Usually humorous, it has the
function of the editorial. It stands by itself and is not a complement of the editorial proper.

6. Editorial liner – a short statement or quoted saying placed at the end of an editorial column or
editorial to drive home a message.

7. Letter to the editor – A letter sent in by the reader giving his personal views on certain aspects.

C. Sports Page

Sports stories are classified as news stories; therefore, what may be found in the news page may also be
found in the sports section. Other things that may be found in the sports section are the sports
commentaries and sports features.

D. Special Features

The modern newspaper has adopted some special features and eliminated some which have become irrelevant
to the needs of the times. An example of this is the Society page, Life and Leisure (The arts, Religion,
Entertainment and Comics) and Finance and Business. The feature page may contain home and culture,
entertainment, comics, shipping, classified ads, movie, TV and radio guides, and the comics page