N.B. – This was published in Asian Correspondent (April 12, 10:55 p.m.) where I write a weekly column (Philippine Fantasy).

As an educator and practicing journalist, I often get interviewed by students for academic requirements they are required to submit. The interviews usually cover a wide range of topics in the fields of media, communication and journalism. For those who can’t make the time to see me personally, we normally just correspond via email. Last March 5, a student emailed some questions on campus journalism and it is only now that I realized my failure to get back to her. Nevertheless, it’s never too late to answer her questions which I find to be both probing and timeless.

In a few words, what do you think is the role of the student press in a college community?

Just like the role of the press in society, the student press (or campus press) helps provide relevant information to students so that they could make informed decisions. There are so many issues confronting students. Campus journalists should help make sense of the reality not only by providing the data but also the analysis.

To borrow a mathematical equation, INFORMATION = DATA + ANALYSIS; where the term DATA refers to “observable reality” and the term ANALYSIS refers to the framework used in making sense of what one observes through any one or a combination of his or her five senses.

In changing times like ours where several distractions abound, how can the student press disseminate information effectively?

Ironically, the so-called distractions could also be the vehicles for information dissemination. Many of today’s youth (especially those in urban areas) spend a substantial amount of time in front of a computer. For those who use the latter for recreation, social media are indeed distractions. But social media could also be used to share relevant information to one’s defined network.

The challenge for campus journalists therefore is to not just confine themselves to the print medium. Their publications should maintain a Web presence. They should seriously consider opening accounts in popular social media like Facebook and Twitter and encourage their target audience (students) to be part of their “virtual groups.”

To become catalyst of change, what do you think is the characteristic or the characteristics a student journalist must possess?

In terms of writing skills, a campus journalist should be able to write well and to write fast. In terms of disposition, he or she should develop the “nose for news” or the ability to discern which is newsworthy in analyzing issues and events. But the ability to provide in-depth analyses comes a campus journalist’s understanding of the history and context of the prevailing social reality. Through a much deeper understanding of what is happening around him or her, a campus journalist is able to analyze the prevailing social contradictions, as well as realize the reasons for the age-old social conflicts.

In one way or another, student journalists are considered ‘torch bearers’ of the college community. What advice can you give to aspiring student journalist to become real ‘torch bearers’ by correctly distinguishing ‘truth’ from those that might disguise as ‘truth’?

They are torch bearers in the sense that they try to shed light on issues. As regards the latter, there should be no distinction between local and national issues, but simply issues that affect, directly or indirectly, the lives of students. In the discussion of issues, what makes campus journalists different from their so-called professional counterparts is their duty to relate all issues to their respective communities.

A discussion of low wages, for example, should take into account how students are affected by having an equally lower allowance. In other words, campus journalists should not try to imitate the discussion in, say, the mainstream media where analyses are often done in the context of a much broader audience. The main responsibility of campus journalists is to their communities, and their analyses must therefore have that necessary focus.

Campus journalists must therefore keep in mind their role in their respective schools. To become real torch bearers, they should help open the minds of students to the situation not only on campus but also in society as a whole. Truth-telling is fulfilled when they are able to present both the data and the analysis of issues.

A handful of factors surrounding the student press might influence them not to disclose the truth. This could be happening at this very moment. Do you think student journalists today are still possessing the courage to fight for the truth? Or are they easily manipulated by their environment?

I personally know campus journalists both in high school and college who know how to fight for their rights. At the same time, there are those who get harassed and intimidated by school officials. By joining student organizations that promote and uphold campus press freedom, campus journalists are better guided not only in going about their work but also in helping fight for their rights. What’s important to stress at this point is that campus press freedom is integral to student rights. Related to this, campus journalist should see themselves as part of the student movement and not separate from it.