Over thirty student publications around the country discussed the current state of their respective journalism organizations during the College Editors Guild of the Philippines’ (CEGP) 2022 Second Half General Assembly this Sunday, October 16.
Publication alliances and other journalism organizations from Metro Manila, Baguio, Central and Southern Luzon, Cebu, Eastern Visayas, Davao, and General Santos City were present in the virtual assembly.
Spearheaded by its National Office, CEGP Secretary-General Jam
me Robles preceded the discussion by orienting newly appointed executive and other editorial officials about the guild’s principles, mission, and objectives.
“It’s important to mobilize the EdBoard to publicize the article we produce. Collect, collate, and amplify,” Robles said.
“We are on the process of uniting school publications, at maabot ang other pubs na ‘di pa naaabot before,” Robles added as she emphasized the CEGP publications’ relationship and task to other publications on the edge of foreclosing.
Over 200 student publications were on the brink of defunding, said CEGP Spokesperson and Alliance Officer Melanie Joy Feranil, due to the Free Higher Education Law mandating publication fees as non-mandatory.
Several publications, said Robles, have also ceased operations during the pandemic due to the bureaucratic release of publication funds in universities.
“Intimidation towards student pubs has become a subject of oppression because of the admin’s manipulation. […] Let’s ensure na kung hindi ma-e-eradicate ay at least ma-ease or prevent ang any form of press freedom violation. We all know that an attack on one is an attack on everyone,” Feranil added.
On the other hand, CEGP demands several pro-campus press rights like calls for safe class resumptions for the return of operations of campus publications, publication fund release and oppose defunding, fight for publication autonomy and editorial independence, and to pass Campus Press Freedom Bill 1155 which “seeks to amend provisions in the current law on the non-mandatory collection of the publication fee, the non-mandatory establishment of student publications, and the lack of a penalty clause which allows erring administrators to be left unscathed.”
Meanwhile, CEGP Alliance Officer John Ray Luciano discussed political situations in the country during Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days in office.
The CEGP is the country’s oldest and broadest inte
rcollegiate alliance of student publications, consolidating more than 750 member publications nationwide, and commits “to uphold freedom of expression, press, freedom and student’s democratic rights.”
Graphics: Cathlyn Keshel G. de Raya
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