EDITORS of La Stampa, the official student publication of UST Senior High School (SHS), met school administrators on Sept. 4 following the reported intervention of faculty advisers in a Press Freedom Day cartoon.
Officials who attended the meeting were SHS Principal Erika Bolaños, student organizations coordinator Arleen Alferos, assistant principal for student formation Hazel Misola, assistant principal for curriculum and instruction Rodrigo Litao, and academic records officer Redelyn Yumul, La Stampa said in a press release.
La Stampa said Bolaños agreed to discuss changes to the publication’s constitution and by-laws, including the approval of new committees and offices.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Bolaños said both parties showed commitment to continuous dialogue to “arrive at constructive ways forward.”
“The common goal is to support the students’ growth in responsible journalism,” she said.
Bolaños said the SHS administration “respects and recognizes the rights of the students as guaranteed in the Campus Journalism Act.”
“Striking a balance between these two responsibilities, upholding student press freedom and safeguarding the integrity of the institution, guides the administration’s discernment in such situations,” she said.
Also discussed were La Stampa’s connections to external organizations such as the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), which called the advisers’ instruction to change the Press Freedom Day cartoon a “blatant act of censorship.”
The publication had said it was advised to shift the cartoon’s focus to artificial intelligence and fake news instead of journalistic independence.
“The principal was notified about the said issue by sending screenshots regarding the concern,” the publication said.
La Stampa clarified that discussions with the CEGP were initiated by the student media alliance’s national secretariat.
The publication said it stressed during the meeting that its advisers’ “function should focus on advice and technical guidance.”
La Stampa also said the publication was “not opposed to covering SHS events.”
“Associate editor Pierre Tagle raised the significance of maximizing write-ups from different sections and ensuring that articles, especially news reports, do not become irrelevant due to delays,” it said.
Other concerns raised by the editor in chief, Laurice Escuin, during the meeting were budget transparency, delayed release of the broadsheet edition, external competitions, coverage beyond the scope of the SHS community, and communication protocols.
“Assoc. Prof. Bolaños assured [the publication] that her line remains open and asked the [La Stampa] executive board to coordinate with her through Google Chat,” the publication said.
La Stampa is set to meet Bolaños in person on Monday. Ella Mae A. Sison with reports from Louisse Raya Shara C. Santos
