Campus Journalism Modules 1 3
Campus Journalism Modules 1 3
Campus Journalism Modules 1 3
Learning Outcomes:
A. Identify the tenets of journalism
B. Name the functions and duties of the press
C. Compare and contrast journalism and literature
D. Explain freedom of the press
E. Critic the strengths and weaknesses of select articles
Before developing the skills of writing journalistic articles, anyone must have a fixed
understanding of the scope of modern-day journalism. Huge as it is, journalism is
everywhere, just as media is integral to our lives. Where there is media, journalism exists.
As a field worth working in, journalism is one of the most prestigious careers one can get
today. The communication and technology tools are television, printed media, and radio. The
internet is a more recent addition to this list. Many students are getting attracted to this field
nowadays because a journalism career can be challenging and highly rewarding. Journalism
is concerned primarily with the collection and dissemination of news through print and
electronic media (http://entrance-exammeilscope-of-journalism/).
This involves various work areas like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting
or cable casting news items. It covers the printed media that comes in the form of
broadsheets, tabloids, newsletters and magazines.
As regards its etymology, journalism comes from the Latin word, diurnal, which means daily.
That is why there is the word journal — a daily register of one's activities. Hence, journalism
is a communication of day-to-day information, whether through sounds, pictures and words.
Few places where journalism may appear include newspapers, magazines, televisions, radios
and the internet.
Newspapers are the oldest and most traditional format for the inclusion of journalism. They
are regularly scheduled publications containing news of current events, informative articles,
diverse features and advertising. Indeed, newspapers originally started life as 'journals', from
which the word 'journalism' is derived. During the 19th century, American journalists relied
on sensational stories that were used to excite or anger the public, rather than to inform them.
This form of journalism became known as `yellow' journalism. Accurate and fact-based
reporting became popular again around the time of World War II when the restrained style of
writing gained a resurgence. Newspapers played a large role in the development of freedom
of expression. Inside sources with the ability to 'leak' stories to the press often choose
newspapers first over any other medium due to the perceived willingness of their editors to
expose corruption and lies among otherwise respected institutions.
Magazines, on the other hand, are publications containing a variety of articles that are
generally published on a regular schedule, whether it be weekly, monthly or quarterly. They
usually take a much more relaxed format than newspapers, with a more informal style to their
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writing. They are also usually focused on a particular subject or area of interest, whereas
newspaper articles can cover almost any topic. First published in 1731 in London, The
Gentleman's Magazine is considered the first general-interest magazine. Its editor, Edward
Cave (who wrote under the pseudonym `Sylvanus Urban'), was one of the very firsts to use
the term 'magazine'.
Internet communications have excelled in the last decade or so of course, taking the way
news is published with it. There are now an uncountable of reputable and not-so-reputable
sources of information on the internet. Everything from digitized versions of the very
newspapers that headed up the first print media movements hundreds of years ago, to
independent bloggers reporting their own stories from the comfort of their own laptops.
Because of this, opinions are much easier to come by, and users can seek out the same story
from multiple sources to get more of a balanced view more than they ever could in the past.
These make the scope of journalism to be very broad indeed, as almost every form of media
these days can be used as an expression of opinion or conduit of information.
All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality. Redundant as it
may, facts are the foundation of all the ambits of journalism. Journalism and literature are
both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative style. They may be guided
by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is categorized
into prose and poetry. Journalism, on the other hand, has main genres that include news,
editorial and features. Journalistic genres follow the strict method of dividing ideas through
paragraphs while literature has a variety of forms and styles.
For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts
imagining the appearance of the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the
climax and the resolution of the conflict. Jonas is writing a literary piece. Marla, on the other
hand, also writes about ghosts. However, before she starts writing about them, she interviews
persons who have allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the persons'
beliefs about them, is written into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with facts.
In this case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature
story, a journalistic article. Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marla writes based on
facts.
Tenets of Journalism
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Going into the road of journalism entails not only knowledge but also responsibilities. Hence,
their journalists are bound by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they must bear on
shoulders the duties to serve the interest of the public.
2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded by the
people of media. In this case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may be written so
long as there is no infraction to the existing laws of the land.
3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing the welfare of the
general public is a clear violation of this tenet. It, therefore, means that the services of a
journalist should be committed to the interest of the general public and not driven by the
interest of money called "envelopmental journalism."
4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data and information
before they are published is an example of being accurate and truthful. Since facts are the
solid foundation of journalism, media men should not therefore conceal the truth by
fabricating facts and by publishing misquoted statements and erroneous statistics.
Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on the treatment of the
articles and on the way arguments and news are written. Partisan news and biased interviews
violate the ideals of journalism; ergo, a journalist should know the difference between news
and opinion. Readers and journalists alike, believe that newspapers should be objective. Thus,
reporters receive training from those who know journalistic rules, and learn to resolve
whatever conflict they may have.
Teel and Taylor (1983), as cited by Pangilinan (2012), suggested guidelines to attain a
balanced story whenever journalists face controversial issues.
a. Stick to the facts.
b. Never insert your personal opinion.
c. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
d. Avoid cheap shots.
e. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
f. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an observer, not a participant.
g. Listen to your editor.
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both avenues for the opposing parties to ventilate their arguments and points of clarification.
With this in mind, journalists, too, must respect the privacy of individuals, unless, there is a
warrant of a public right. In case there is a mistake, true journalists should rectify the said
error, thus the errata in newspapers.
2. New Journalism. The new journalists expanded the definition of journalism and of
legitimate journalistic reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism with
fiction when they described their work with phrases such as "nonfiction novel" and "narrative
techniques of fiction." In so doing, they ignited a debate over how much like a novel or short
story a journalistic piece could be before it began violating journalism's commitment to truth
and facts. This approach represents a return to the roots of social reporting which was used in
Charles Dickens' fiction.
5. Editorializing. This is giving the reporter's opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean
the expanding of news about an insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject.
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4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the kind
of editorial product. It is responsible for the rise of the readers' educational level and
resurgence of an articulate, active young generation.
5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of the newspapers. Freedom of the press
and responsibility are inseparable. Responsibility of the press means truth in the news —
truth tempered with mercy, decency and humility.
6. The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and self-interest.
Pulitzer prize-winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) as cited by
Pangilinan (2012), averred that reports are flawed. Hence, reports are not that complete and
may bear mistakes. The limitations of the press may be traced upon the timeframe within
which an article should be submitted for publication. Remember that journalism secures the
freshness of the information. Therefore, when a journalist is in a hurry to beat the deadline, he
may not have enough time to reach all the sources of information. Subsequently, reporters
will be unable to present the story in as many perspectives as a journalist should showcase.
This implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge very critically the
articles, the reports, including the photos. Readers should know how to ask questions that are
left unanswered, in the same manner when journalists dig for facts and additional
information. Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the
powerful, the elite and the politicians. Broeder (1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointed
“...every good politician will attempt to work well with the press. If you live in a country
where public opinion ultimately decides public policy any politician who is at all serious is
going to try to manage public opinion, and that means working with the press. So they all do
it.”
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MODULE II
Learning Outcomes:
a. Identify the duties of members of the editorial board
b. Distinguish the functions of campus paper
c. Critic the characteristics of magazines and newspaper
Before delving on campus paper, it is wise to start the discussion on a supra level. This is for
you to understand primarily the concept of the system that campus paper has. Thus, a
newspaper is a publication sold and distributed regularly in a fixed interval.
It may be monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, daily, etc. and this is because newspapers fall under
the category "periodicals." Usually, news in newspapers is meant to be persuasive, and this is
why some news includes opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from the readers.
Another latent function of newspapers is to entertain by the use of photos, cartoons, quizzes
and other interesting features. While papers published every day are called dailies, we call
those which are published weekly weeklies. National papers are widely available and easily
bought.
National papers fall under two categories: the popular paper and the heavy or quality papers.
Popular papers present their news in a lively fashion with easy-to-read articles and many
photographs. Heavy or quality papers are printed with longer articles stressing on important
and serious events in the country.
Some newspaper publishers produce Sunday papers sometimes, with the same nameplate as
the daily papers. These are not Sunday editions of the dailies but instead, they are of different
editors and editorial staff. The reason behind this is the availability of more people to read
during Sundays. The price of the Sunday paper tends to be higher than the regular paper, but
it contains more news.
The Campus Paper is the version of the national newspaper within an academic institution. In
other words, it is a pioneer in the publishing industry as a free newspaper of the students by
the students and for the students to circulate within the academic community.
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The Campus Paper may broaden its reach like the community and other agencies in the
society. With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, otherwise known as Republic
Act Numbered 7079, the establishment of campus publication in basic education and in
higher learning institutions has been legalized.
Since the campus paper is run by the students, they have the chance to simulate the daily
newspaper's characteristics at the same time act as journalists in their own fields. It should be
noted that the campus paper is contextualized within the institution; hence, priority issues
should emanate from the institution before touching local, national and international
concerns. It is observed that the size and frequency of the paper vary, depending on the
policies of the editorial board, the fund or publication budget and the population of the
learning institution.
There are higher learning institutions which collect a campus paper fee that can finance a
semestral release of a newsletter, a tabloid, a magazine, a broadsheet and sometimes a literary
folio. The school, too, may decide to release a special edition of its publication or organ
during intramurals and foundation days or on any special occasions. In many instances,
though, school papers under the Department of Education opt to release newsletters due to
the consideration of the fund, the population and the scope.
Campus journalism serves as a means to strengthen the ethical values and to encourage the
creative and critical thinking of the Filipino youth. It also helps in developing the personal
discipline and moral character of the young. Campus Journalism is one of the most effective
means of teaching students the basic and advanced writing techniques and inculcating in
them the values of work and fair judgment. It is a good training ground for future journalists
or for writers.
Through the school paper, student writers are able to develop their skills and enhance their
craft. Moreover, with campus paper, both the campus journalists and the target audience are
helped appreciate the role of the press in shaping public opinion.
Primarily, the campus paper promotes the best interest not only of the students but also of the
faculty and the administration. The paper is a conduit for the pleasant and wholesome
relationship between the teachers and their students. It is an avenue where students ventilate
their opinions, including their grievances.
In fact, many school papers in higher learning institutions maximize these functions. Today,
the campus paper has become an avenue to expose anything against anyone. This brings
problems with the editorial board's security of responsibility, objectivity and fairness. Student
writer may write about as is anything; they observe responsibility, objectivity and fairness,
thus hearing both sides of the issue. For instance, student writers must not only publish an
article about teachers who are enraged with students, but must also look into the reasons why
teachers are enraged, through interview with the teachers. Remember, the prime cause of a
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campus paper is to create a campus conducive for learning and to advance the quality of
education.
However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan
(1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country started when the
University of the Philippines published The College Folio, now The Philippine Collegian, in
1910. They also added that The Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the
Ateneo de Manila University, and The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also
published two years later.
Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official student
publication of Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912
and it is now considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country. In 1923,
La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab, the first printed and
regularly issued high school newspaper in the country.
Since then, high school newspapers came out one after the other. Among these high school
newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga High School, 1925; The Leytean, Leyte High
School, 1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School, 1926; The Coconut, Tayabas High School,
1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School, 1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928;
The Samarinian, Samar High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School, 1929; The
Granary, Nueva Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Tones High School, 1930; and
The Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.
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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
Other Functions of Campus Papers Still cited by Simon et al. (2012), here are other functions
of the campus paper. Information Function. This is the function of the news in the campus
paper —to inform. Since information dissemination is the main 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.
Examples of the activities include the graduation schedule, the enrolment procedures, number
of enrollees for the semester and other routine and non-routine news in an academic year.
Opinion Function. Through the editorials and editorial columns, editors have the chance to
post their opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community.
The main purpose for this is to persuade the reader toward a certain point of view. The
campus paper, therefore, can stir the emotions and convictions of the reading public — the
members of the academic community.
Education Function. This is one of the primordial functions of a campus paper. Since
students and teachers alike are expected to read the school paper, which showcases topics that
may be intensively and extensively discussed, the reading public i may somehow be
educated. Tabooed topics such as sex education, family planning and the like are sample
issues in which a campus paper can be so effective. Watchdog Function. The school paper
serves as the harbinger of truth in the campus. In other words, the writers are the eyes of the
readers to see what is happening in the school and to guard the right of the young ones.
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journalists today. These papers include The Philippine Collegian of the University of the
Philippines, The PNU Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Varsitarian of the
University of Santo Tomas and others. Neophyte writers pattern their new experience from
the existing and past papers.
Documentation Function. The paper also serves as a posterity tool of worthy and must-
beremembered occasions in the campus. This is why many school publication writers practice
submitting more than one copy to the campus library and to the archive section so that the
paper becomes evidence of what transpired in such a semester, a school year, or a grading
period.
Whatever the type of paper it is, the parts and sections are similar to one another.
Here are the major sections of a campus paper:
1. front page
2. news page
3. editorial page
4. features page
5. community development page
6. science and technology page
7. sports page
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c. Banner (Head). The banner is the principal headline which is usually written in the boldest
and biggest font. It is the title of the most important news of the day. This most important
news is called banner news. The banner runs across the front page.
d. Running Head. The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.
f. Deck. A deck is a subordinate headline or head which is immediately placed below its
mother head to give more information about it.
g. Lead. Lead refers to the beginning of a news story. This means that a lead could be a word,
a phrase, a sentence or even a paragraph.
h. News Story. The news story is the whole story or a part of the whole story about the news
which is composed of the lead and the text supporting and elaborating the lead.
i. Columns. They are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts of a newspaper. The number of
columns varies from one kind of a paper to another, that is, a newsletter has smaller number
of columns as compared to a broadsheet.
j. Column Rules. Column rules are vertical lines that indicate the divisions of the columns. In
modern journalism, these lines are substituted with a space (a blank column rule). Space
column rules or more formally known as sunken rules and are usually one em wide. With the
advent of digital lay-outing, the printer may adjust the column rule easily and quickly.
k. Fold. It is the imaginary horizontal line that divides the paper into two. The purpose of the
fold is primarily rooted from the lay-outing rule that the fold should not overlay or run
against the banner head. Should the fold run over the banner head, the layout is considered
faulty.
l. Byline. A byline is the signature, name or pseudonym of the reporter who prepared the
news. It can be seen in various forms: by Ruben Balacbac, (Ruben Balacbac), R. Balacbac, or
R.B. One common error in campus paper insofar as writing the byline is concerned is the
inclusion of the colon between the preposition "by" and the name of the writer. This style is
now obsolete. Usually, the colon is deleted, thus, by Ruben Balacbac, not by: Ruben
Balacbac.
m. Box. Any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story. In this case, ears are
special types of boxes because they are specially named because of their position.
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p. Over line. It is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.
q. Kicker. A kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline. It gives stimulating but
small details about the headline, and this is why it is also called teaser.
r. Hammer. A hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer is bigger than the
headline.
s. Credit Line. A credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of the story or
illustration printed. This is done usually for stories or illustrations imported or borrowed from
other printed materials or people. The difference of a byline from a credit line is that a byline
is usually a name, signature or pseudonym of the reporter within the newspaper staff, but a
credit line is used for those which are borrowed or imported. Thus, foreign news and dateline
news often have credit lines.
c. Op-ed: An op-ed, abbreviation of opposite the editorial page (though often believed to be
abbreviated from opinion-editorial), is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a
named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board. These are
different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board members.
Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed on the page opposite the editorial.
d. Letter to Editor: Letter to the editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter sent to
a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, the letter or the letters are
intended for publication. In many publications, letters to the editor may be sent through either
conventional mail or electronic mail. The subject matter of letters to the editor varies widely.
However, the most common topics include:
iii. Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a previous edition or
release. Such letters may be either critical or praising
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iv. Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation
f. Folio. Usually written on top of the page, this is composed of the page number, date of
publication and name of the newspaper. Notably, this part runs through all the sections in the
campus paper. Masthead. This is also called flag. It shows the publication's name, the volume
and number of release, the names of the staff and their respective positions.
Sports Page
The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events, like high
school sports teams. College level sports are also covered in this section, both on a regional
and national level. Often, sports page in Philippine campus papers accommodate stories about
intramurals and relevant national sports issues. Student writers may consider writing sports
analysis, sports editorials, backgrounder, prophetic sports news and the like.
As regards reporters on other news beats, sports journalism involves investigating e story,
rather than simply relying on press releases and prepared statements from the sports team,
coaching staff, or players. Sports journalists verify facts given to them by e athletes, teams,
leagues or organizations they are covering.
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2. The candidate should not be in the probation list.
3. He/she must not have any disciplinary case against him/her, because there is a likely
chance for him to drop or to be suspended.
4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should not hold other major positions in school
organizations, especially in the student council or student government. The press is supposed
to be objective and non-partisan. The most democratic way to select the staff is through a
competitive examination followed by an interview. However, there are certain drawbacks. If
there are no qualified teachers who will evaluate the entries in the competitive examination,
the test will not be worthwhile. If a big number of students join the competition, the
evaluation will take a long time. Another question is: In what phases of journalism would the
test be? Newswriting, editorial writing, lay outing, or actual press work? If the test is in
editorial writing only, is not that just one phase of the work? Because of these drawbacks, the
adviser resorts to designation. The drawback here is favoritism.
The advisers should not rely only on result of the examination. They should also look for
people who did not take the examinations but have writing skills. They should ask them to
join the board, but they should refrain from taking students into the staff who have more
activities in their hands than they can handle. They should be aware of students who only
love to see their names in the masthead or editorial box. The choice of editors should be
based on who obtains the highest average in the examinations and who possesses the most in
personal qualities or traits like leadership, managerial skills, sound judgment and flexibility.
Consequently, advisers should file and publish in the bulletin board the results of the
examinations and the comments of the judges. How large should the staff be? A manageable
staff should not be more than ten, as follows:
(1) chief editor;
(2) associate editor;
(3) managing editor;
(4) feature editor;
(5) literary editor;
(6) sports editor; and
(7) reporters (one for each class-senior, sophomore, freshman). There are other members of
the staff who may simply be appointed: the typists, the layout artist, the staff artist, the
photojournalist and the circulation manager.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff
1. Chief Editor
The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper. Usually, he/ she writes the
editorials of the organ after consultation with the members of the editorial staff. However,
any member may write the editorial so long as he/she follows the guidelines in writing.
Further, he/she edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the adviser for final
editing and approval for publication. He/She likewise supervises the preparation of the
layout, dummy of the paper and its pagination in cooperation with the managing editor and
layout artist. He/She also causes the accomplishment of all assignments properly and on time.
At times, he/she acts as the liaison officer between the editorial staff and the adviser, as he/
she also calls meetings of the staff.
2. Associate Editor
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The associate editor edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor. Also, he/she may be
delegated to write editorials of the organ. He prepares assignments of section editors in
consultation with the chief editor. Further, he/she cooperates in the preparation of the layout
of the paper and paging of the same with the chief editor and the managing editor.
3. Managing Editor
Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles to the press for
typesetting. As such, he/she also checks articles for typographical errors. He/She prepares the
layout of the paper and paging of the same in consultation with the chief editor. Finally,
he/she proofreads galley proofs before these are finally approved by the chief editor, then by
the adviser for printing.
4. Circulation Manager
As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release and distribution of
the paper. He/She also guarantees the smooth flow of the passing of articles from reporters to
section editors. He/She is assigned to oversee the flow of processes in crafting the paper.
5. Section Editors
a. News Editor: Assigned as the reporter to cover events relevant to the school activities,
he/she writes news articles on assignment from the chief editor or through his/her own
initiative in consultation with the latter. However, his/her primordial job is to edit all news
articles submitted by the writers preparatory to submission of the same to the chief editor
then to the adviser.
b. Filipino Editor. This is an optional staff function or position; nonetheless, his/her prime
job is to write the editorial of the Filipino section. He/She also edits all articles preparatory to
submission of the same to the Filipino adviser, for final editing and for publication.
Sometimes, he/she causes the submission of all Filipino articles properly and timely. He/She
may likewise act as a liaison officer between the Filipino staff and the chief editor.
c. Feature Editor. The feature editor gives out assignments to feature writers. He/She then
receives and edits feature articles preparatory to the submission of the same to the chief
editor. Sometimes, he/she writes regular articles or column.
d. Exchange Editor. For beginning school paper system, this is an optional function.
Sometimes, the functions of the exchange editor are accomplished by the circulation
manager. Nevertheless, the exchange editor makes up a list of school papers sent by other
schools. He/She is designated to mail copies of own paper to these schools as he/she also files
their papers on a bulletin board or display them on a newspaper rack. He/She, too, keeps files
of school information, such as class lists and lists of members, homeroom advisers, faculty
and staff.
e. Layout Section Editors. They are assigned to cause the assignment of the school's official
photographer to take pictures on school's activities for the month or for a specified time. They
prepare pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with the managing editor and chief
editor. Sometimes, their job is to write the captions of pictures utilized by the paper in
cooperation with the chief editor.
f. Layout Artists. They take charge of designing and formatting of all pages in the paper. As
such, they label or properly identify all pictures made available for publication. It is
suggested that they write using pencil at the back of every picture of the event to which a
particular picture refers. They likewise help in the preparation of the layout of pictorial stories
and make illustrations for feature articles. g. The Reporters. The life of the contents depends
on the skills of the reporters. They secure the cold and raw facts of an assigned event and
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write articles out of the same. Moreover, they receive assignments from the section editors or
board of editors and then accomplish the same properly and timely.
A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may pertain to what it may print or to what
the staff may conduct. Such policies may be posted on the conspicuous places like the
bulletin boards in the staff room or they may be printed and distributed to the staff.
Policies are brief statements of the paper's platform or are sometimes printed under the
masthead, as in the following examples: To support all school projects and to give only
constructive criticism of some projects To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by
avoiding personal enmity and jealousy both within and outside the school To refrain from
publishing articles which convey wrong impressions against the school, and To avoid unkind
personal jokes, criticisms and caricatures
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MODULE III
Learning Outcomes:
News is difficult to define because it has many variables, but one needs to determine what is
newsworthy when deciding what to write about for his or her story assignments. Try to
process this. News must be factual, yet not all facts are news. A news item is based on actual
occurrences, situations, thoughts and ideas, yet not all facts are news. For instance, a dog
bites a typical man. This is not a news for many, but when a typical man bites a dog, this may
be newsworthy to some. Here, the logical nature of news may be drawn, such that, the taste
of news depends on the interest of and impact to the reader. To attain a wide array of
perspectives and meanings about news, the definitions of news according to Philippine
journalism authors are surveyed and are listed below.
According to Soriano et al. (2012), a news is any oral or written report of an event that
happened, is happening, will happen in the North, East, West and South (NEWS) that is of
interest to the reader and which should be reported. From Soriano's definition, three primary
considerations in defining news are drawn.
Second, anything can become news, whether the event is already done, is being done, or shall
still be conducted.
Third, the news considers the interest of the reader in accepting the impact of the news, that
is, a news for somebody may not be a news to another person.
Malinao (2008) also attempted to define news by pointing out that news is basically about an
event, idea or a reaction that is presented factually and simply in written form to give the
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reader an idea of what is currently happening around him or her, particularly on matters of
interest to the community.
This lengthy definition by Malinao (2008) gives the notion that news may include or
encompass any topic including a speech or a simple feedback. Moreover, it stresses that news
is generally written and is based on facts. Another perspective about news is given by Estrada
and Singh (1987). Though the date of publication may seem to be antiquated for some, for the
purpose of tracing the perspective, the definition is included. Estrada and Singh opined,
"News is a timely factual report of events, ideas or situations interesting or significant to
people. Others define it as literature in a hurry."
Estrada and Singh's definition gives an added perspective on time elements. Literature in a
hurry therefore means that news should be publicized at its freshness. It means that the life
span of a news may be so short that it expires right away and that it can be buried when new
angles of the news or topic are broadcast.
Additional viewpoint is also written by Puig and Flores (2005). They posited that news is any
information that is significant to a particular set of readers. Simply put, they qualified news
according to its relevance and interest of the readers. Another pair of Filipino journalist
writers, Soriano and Henson (1999), provides a seemingly technical definition of news. They
inscribed that news is a reportage of accurate facts, events and ideas that interest a large
number of readers. Anything that is refreshed or regenerated is also news. Here, the definition
looks into the newness of idea that responds to the interest of the readers. The definition
marries the idea of immediacy and interest; ergo, the newer the angle of the story, the more
interesting it is to the readers.
Lastly, Pangilinan (2012) provides another definition which goes, "news is information that
has a meaning for a set of readers." Hence, the bases of all news are facts, interest and
readers. From all the definitions above, news can be coined by stating that it is a timely
reportage of events, regardless of time and manner, which are grounded on facts. It considers
nearness, importance, impact and interest to the public.
News in School Papers With the concept of news in mind, a student journalist should
remember that concerns the school, its students, the teachers, including the parents is
newsworthy. News in school may include worthwhile or extraordinary acts of students like:
opening of a new college, inauguration of the new building, stories of success, conflicts or
suspense, school convocations and other programs, interviews of visiting personalities,
merging of two colleges, increasing tuition and other fees, new grading system and the like.
One can gauge the worthiness of a news by some qualities that emanate from the subject's
nature and functions. The characteristics that are discussed below become one's yardstick to
determine whether an issue is worth publishing or broadcasting. In such sense, when a
student writer has a limited space for a news, he/she tries to weigh the importance of the news
that will occupy a space in the paper by enumerating the attributes of news that are present in
both stories. Hence, the more attributes or characteristics a story has, the more effective it is
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to become catchy, interesting and worth reading...the more it becomes appealing to the
readers.
1. Timeliness or Immediacy
This characteristic of a news item underscores the newest angle of the story. For instance, the
changing of the grading system which was announced yesterday is more appealing to a
student other than the Christmas party last December. It should be noted, too, that the more
recent the event, the more appealing it is to the reader.
2. Conflict
The physical and mental struggles of persons are also newsworthy. In campus context,
competitions like oratorical contests and quiz bees are newsworthy due to the mental
conflicts present. Sports events during intramurals or foundation days are newsworthy, too, as
they have physical conflicts.
3. Proximity or Nearness
Although proximity primarily refers to geographical location, it likewise means the nearness
of interest and appeal. In the context of writing news in the campus or school for students in
Batanes what is happening to Batanes State College will be of more interest to them than
what is happening to Western Mindanao State University. The imposition of "no cellphone
policy" in Batanes State College will interest the Batanes' readers more than the zero tuition
scheme of Aklan State University, so to speak.
4. Accuracy
Journalism is anchored on facts. News writing is a journalistic skill. Therefore, the contents
should be accurately reported. Accuracy primarily refers to the factualness of news as
purveyor of truth.
5. Significance
If something is important to the reader, surely he/she will read the news. Hence, a writer
should survey whatever is significant to the life of the target readers and write about it. When
news is important to him/her, the news bears a high degree of significance, thus, newsworthy
and worth reading. In the campus setting, topics that are highly significant include new rules
imposed by the administration or the student government, amendments to policies, upcoming
big events, results of scholarship screening and the like.
7. Drama
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Since news is also anchored on public interest, writers should bank on any story that can lead
the writers to crying or to laughing. Such story is packed with color; thus, subjects are
moving. In this way, the news becomes appealing to the readers. For instance, you write a
story of the student leader who manages to graduate as magna cum laude despite his five-year
term as the College Student Government President.
8. Oddity or Unusualness
Sociology can explain why oddity is a good element of news. A theory explains that when
persons are curious about a phenomenon deviating from a natural course, they will be
interested in such a topic or issue; hence, that topic becomes newsworthy. Looking into the
campus situation, one may write about a forty-year-old student who has just graduated; he has
just finished his fifth bachelor's degree in your college. This unusual situation may be so
intriguing as regards the student's purpose, therefore, becoming more newsworthy to the
readers.
10. Progress Attaining breakthrough and achieving scientific discoveries are given much
attention by the readers. This attribute of the news gives a high degree of shock and a sense of
development in the society where the persons live. Looking into ma be in the form a newly
constructed building and a school situation, progress may be in the form of newly constructed
building and newly donated laboratory, equipment from alumni abroad.
11. Numbers For persuasion, statistics or figures have the power to shake the conviction of
the audience. This is why numbers yield a very strong impact on the readers. However, the
figures that one should write should be worth appreciating. For instance, the Alumni
Association donated one computer set last January, while the Parent Teachers Association
donated 57 computer sets to the school. The latter yields a higher degree of newsworthiness
than the former. It is not safe to say, however, that the higher the figure, the higher is its
newsworthiness. Say, your school has performed in the National Achievement Test 50%
lower than last year's data. This is a figure lower than the usual and yet bears a high degree of
interest.
Here are the following types of news stories according to their classifications.
1. According to Chronology or Sequence a. Spot News. As the term suggests, this is a news
story that gathers information as it is broadcast at the same time. Hence, it is unscheduled and
demands immediate publication. In many instances, the reporter becomes the first hand
witness to the activity or subject taking place. For instance, a student journalist happens to be
standing at the gate when a jeepney bumps an education student. He writes the story and
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publishes it in the weekly newsletter of the college. b. Coverage News. Many interchange
spot news and coverage news. Though both of them are good avenues for firsthand
information, the difference between the two is that coverage news is written based on the
given assignment to the reporter or news writer. The assignment is sometimes called beat. It
means that the writer knows what to write about. For example, the chief editor wants to
publish what transpires in the academic meeting, so he assigns, Jessica, a writer to cover the
meeting. Jessica knows what she shall write about and shall be concentrated only on the
meeting, thus, her beat. c. Advance News. When a writer crafts news about an upcoming
event, say, meeting de avance of running student leaders, change of opening of classes for the
next academic year and an announcement of new uniforms to take effect next semester,
he/she actually writes an advance news. In advance stories, writers' skills in creating many
new perspectives on a subject are tested so as to create climax when the event happens.
Sometimes, series stories are created with one or two reporters guarding the newest angles of
the event or situation. -d. Follow-up News. While advance news is predictive, follow-up
news looks into the upshot to an event or situation. For instance, a reporter wrote a news
about the imposition of the new uniform effective this semester, then in the next issue he shall
write on the ideas and comments of the students about the new uniform, or the problems they
now meet.
b. National News: Countrywide news is called national news. It is determined when the
news impacts the people of a certain country. Most national news is published in the dailies.
c. Foreign News: All news items which trace their origin from outside the boarders of the
country are called foreign news. Some foreign news articles also create impact to typical
locals due to their domino effect like the oil price hike in the world market.
d. Dateline News: An out-of-town news story. This news 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.
3. According to Construction a. Straight News. The first paragraph answers the most
important W (what, where, when, why, who) depending on which of the W's is the most
prominent among them. Its body paragraphs consist of the elaboration on the W's and the H.
It is written using the inverted triangle structure. Example: Thirty-four barangay officials are
now more familiar with the ins and outs of good governance after undergoing various
activities during the capability building seminar and training at Community Outreach Center
on February 18, 2014. (Presentation of Who)
The participants coming from barangays Sta. Maria, Magapit and Paranum were lectured on
the rules of parliamentary procedure by Prof. Edmond A. Usal, CA dean; Katarungang
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Pambarangay Law by Mr. Sherwood Gayodan, CA faculty; Internet literacy through Mrs.
Mary Jane B. Habon; and preparation of Memorandum of Agreement and minutes of meeting
by Prof. Gemma R. Pascual, CTE faculty. (Elaboration of Who) After the discussion, the
participants were given workshops like demonstrating parliamentary procedures and making
an actual Memorandum of Agreement. (Additional information about what the "who" did)
Meanwhile, in her welcome remarks, Dr. Leonita P. Garcia underscored the need for
cooperation among the barangay officials and the campus administration to materialize the
goals of the institution. (Least information about another "who')
b. News Feature. This special type of news should not be confused with the feature articles
(features). News feature is sometimes called special features and printed in the features
sections of the newspapers or in the magazines. Human interest and news-feature stories are
classified as news since both are gathered and written daily by reporters as their regular
assignments. Furthermore, both emphasize the elements of timeliness or immediacy which
distinguish news from other types of reading, although they differ in important respects from
the straight news story.
Example: Love is in the air, indeed, in the Batanes State College as cut outs of hearts are in a
riot of multicolored lights and decors hung upon everywhere and even, way.
However, the "Feb-ibig" celebration reached its climax when the traditional promenade
participated in by students, teachers, parents, community and even barangav members was
conducted at the Aquino Grandstand, February 14. To make the occasion more symbolic and
relevant, students also had a "hearts.: lantern parade" capped with ballroom dances.
(1) Single-Feature or One-Incident Story. It may be an account of a speech, an interview, an
election, that deals with an isolated event. In writing a news-feature story with this kind of
structure, include the one-feature id the lead. Add in the body details which clarify and
explain the lead. See that the story breaks logically at every paragraph and that the story may
be cut if lengthened as space dictates.
(2) The Several-Feature, Multiple-Angle or Composite Story. In a composite story, two or
more divergent aspects of a news topic are drawn together for the sake of space and
coherence. In structure, the composite story may resemble that of a follow-up story in that
both of them aim to consolidate component parts. However, they differ in the sense that the
follow-up story ends in a tie-in with a past story; whereas, the composite story is composed
of units, each one made up of fresh spot news frequently with reference to the future. In
writing, the several-feature or composite story, include all of the features in a comprehensive
lead in the order of their importance. The next step is Lead to explain and elaborate in the
body each of the features in the order which they are in the lead. In doing this, relegate less
important details of each feature to less important positions. But remember that each chain of
facts although covered separately should be handled as a single, unified story. Lead Angle
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grouping them in their respective order. Example: "The campus student population this
semester totals to 1,814. That marks 11.63% increase as compared to 1603 total head count
during the semester last year."
This was the statement of Mr. Leslie A. Panaligan, campus registrar, when the Innovator staff
inquired about the student headcount of the campus. The registrar said that the campus
population has been dramatically increasing for the past years based on the data recorded in
his office.
"Based on our record, the campus is continuously welcoming students with 5 to 15 percent
range increase every year, and this semester notches almost 12 percent hike," Mr Panaligan
mentioned. Showing the summary of enrolment, he pointed out that among the five colleges
of the campus, the College of Agriculture has the highest number of enrolees with a total of
590 students. Trailing behind the biggest college is the College of Teacher Education with
531 students enroled in its BSEd and BEEd programs.
The College of Information and Computing Sciences followed with 360 headcount while the
College of Hospitality Industry Management trailed next taking supervision of the 263
BSHIM students. Although still the smallest college, the College of Arts has 70 students
remarkably far from its 55 students during the same term last year.
"Such increase is attributed to the cooperation of everyone in scouting students to enrol in the
offered programs or courses of the campus. The continuous career guidance held every
second semester is also a great help," the campus registrar declared when asked about the
reason why such percentile hike is attained this semester. Source: Jenerwin M. Columna from
The Innovator November 2013 d. Action Story This is a narrative involving not merely
simple facts but dramatic actions — incidents, description of persons, perhaps testimonies of
witness, as well as explanatory data. In reading this kind of story, first write a summarizing
lead in any appropriate form.
Relate the most important details in narrative or chronological form. Tell the story again by
giving more details. But be careful not to begin the chronological order just after beginning.
Give sufficient attention to the elaboration of important information, background and
interpretation. Each unit must be closely interlocked. Example: Mobilizing its destructive
forces built into an empire fortifying its impenetrable stronghold, the AB Political Science-
Agriculture Team, known as Mighty A's, wreaked havoc frightening and sending its foes to
their knees to capture the trophy for the over-all champion in sports for this year's
intramurals.
After the three gruelling days that started September 21, mighty A's rallied its way to victory
with a comfortable lead after amassing a total of 66 gold. Trailing far behind was Fearless
Technocrats with 54 gold, followed by the once-formidable Titans of the College of
Education as third placer having hauled only 51 gold; landing on the fourth are the Memory
Makers of HIM.
The winning team dominated other competing teams in softball, baseball, athletics,
badminton, and sepak takraw and was adjudged Most Disciplined Team and Best in Booth.
Asked about team's stratagem in winning, Jackilou Berbano, College of Agriculture Student
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Government (CASG) Mayor, and Jomar Abadilla, Political Science Club president, said they
attribute their success to the concerted efforts of the agriculture and political science students
and faculty, who were always at their back to uphold them in every game.
Meanwhile, the Memory Makers of the Hospitality Industry Management (HIM) defended its
throne in the Literary-Musical Contest as it garnered four gold in vocal solo, vocal duet, and
song writing contest. The Titans of the College of Education also prevailed in the academic
competitions with nine gold reaped in almost all contested activities. Further, Ferdinand
Bulusan, BSE-IV student, was declared Hall of Famer in oration for being a tree-time and
two-time champion in oration in the campus and in the university, respectively. All winning
students will represent the campus in the university meet to be held at CSU Carig on
November 23-25, 2011. Source: The Innovator of CSU Lal-lo November 2011 e. Speech,
Report, Quote, and Interview Stories The arrangements of a speech report, a quote story and
of an interview are to great extent similar.
The quote story may be charted as alternating large and small rectangles of diminishing size:
summary, quote, summary, quote, summary arrangement. The quotations may be direct,
indirect, or a combination of both. In writing this kind of story, the following suggestions
may be helpful:
3. The lead may be a summarizing statement — the gist of the speech, statement, letter, or
interview; or it may be the most important quotation in the story written as direct quote.
Example: Quote Story "A little pain, a life to gain."
This was the statement of Mr. Joeffrey Usabal, one of those who attended the Bloodletting
activity held at Aladino M. Dupaya Sr. Gymnasium, Centro, Lal-lo, Cagayan, August 4. "It
was a very noble undertaking and I am very happy to be a part of it. That single pain I felt is
truly nothing when I compare the effect of it to the sick people of the community," Mr.
Usabal continued as showed a small prick in his hand. Themed with "Every Blood Donor is a
Hero", the bloodletting activity is simultaneous to the launching of the WE CARE Program
of the Local Government Unit of Lal-lo during the celebration of 433'1 Patronal Town Fiesta
held last August 2014. Led by the Municipal Nutrition Committee, the whole-day activity
was attended by various blood donors including qualified students of Cagayan State
University at Lal-lo. "It is a way of realizing our desire to help save lives in danger. Truly, a
single bag of blood wholeheartedly shared is worth of life," he disclosed. Meanwhile, Prof
Rogelio T. Tamayo, campus executive officer, thanked the student donors for their
willingness to help. "It was not just a show of help to the activities of the Local Government
Unit of Lal-lo, but it was actually a way for CSUL students to realize the real value of sharing
and saving lives through donating blood," he added. "We hope that the desire of our students
to help and participate in such kind of activity will not end. The spirit of helping others is one
of those things I want to inculcate to you [students], so keep it up," the CEO disclosed.
Source: Kristal Faith Pagaduan, The Innovator November 2014 Example: Speech Report
Story "I am deeply honored to receive this resolution of commendation... but I know, I just
did this for the betterment of the campus."
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This is the statement of Dr. Perfecto V. Vivit, campus executive officer of CSU Lal-lo, after
receiving a resolution of commendation from the municipality of Calayan for his full
commitment and immediate approval in the cacao partnership project of the Cacao Growers
Cooperative and the campus. According to Mr. Tito Maquiraya, one of the councilors of the
municipality of Calayan, their town is very grateful for the approval of the project since most
of the members of the cooperative come from Calayan. .
Moreover, a large number of cacao seedlings will come from their municipality which
contributes in the promotion of the town's production. "Hindi lang yan, isang malaking
garantiya kasi ang binigay ng campus ninyo, of course, sa pangunguna ni Dr. Vivit, kaya
talagang sukdulan ang pasasalamat ng aming bayan," Mr. Maquiraya added. Asked about his
main objective of approving the project, Dr, Vivit said that it was just practical for the campus
to make good production rate and the project was a large key. "In fact, this is a win-win
project; we help them, they help us. The production that we will get from the project will
surely be very useful to elevate quality education and to improve learning facilities," Vivit
disclosed. Source: Ferdinand Bulusan November 2013
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