Editor’s Note: This story was revised to clarify that La Stampa will be allowed to nominate a new “school paper adviser,” which the publication has clarified is a new post and is different from its two “faculty advisers.” The two roles were not explained in La Stampa’s Sept. 8 press release sent to the Varsitarian.
—
THE OFFICIAL student publication of UST Senior High School (SHS) plans to nominate a new school paper adviser after its editors raised a howl over the rejection of a press freedom-themed cartoon.
La Stampa editors met school officials anew on Monday, Sept. 8, to discuss the publication’s operations, which came under scrutiny after what critics have alleged as a “blatant act of censorship.”
The SHS publication, in a statement, said it was given the freedom to nominate a new school paper adviser who would provide technical guidance and help in journalism competitions.
The two unnamed advisers who had rejected the National Press Freedom Day cartoon illustration will stay on, La Stampa editor in chief Laurice Escuin clarified to the Varsitarian.
La Stampa also secured approvals for a mechanism to post “news flash” and photos daily without strict approvals, the purchase of equipment, and the printing of unpublished La Stampa broadsheet issues.
Escuin said the development signified a “new beginning” for the publication.
“With the new implementation of approvals, La Stampa can begin publication again. As most of the content shall be approved by the [editor in chief], higher standards are to be maintained,” she said.
La Stampa said the meeting was attended by the executive board of La Stampa, Bolaños, Assistant Principal for Student Formation Hazel Misola, student organizations coordinator Alferos, academic records officer Redelyn Yumul, and Aldrin Robles, who acted as the meeting’s secretary.
“Budget allocation was also explained, wherein the budget was balanced for the honorarium, operating materials, and broadsheet,” it said.
La Stampa’s executive board took to Facebook on Sept. 9 to thank those who supported the publication amid the cartoon issue.
“The fight for press freedom does not end here. We shall continue to sustain persistence and vigilance until every publication can freely perform their crucial role as upholders of verity,” they wrote.
The press freedom cartoon issue caught public attention on Sept. 2 following the statement of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines calling out the rejection of the publication material.
On Sept. 4, the editors of La Stampa and SHS officials met for an initial dialogue.
After the initial meeting, Bolaños told the Varsitarian that both parties showed commitment to “arrive at constructive ways forward.” Alexandra S. Demaisip with reports from Ella Mae A. Sison
