THE DEPARTMENT of Education recently conducted its first virtual National Schools Press Conference to capacitate learners, school paper advisers and others on the importance of responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media especially during the pandemic.

“Campus journalism empowers the community and the country to rise above the pandemic, to share correct and truthful information, to be patient, to be understanding, and to be aware, of vicious attacks, of cruel criticism at this time of finger-pointing,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

With the theme “Pahayagang Pangkampus: Kaagapay sa Paghilom at Pagbangon ng Sambayanan,” the 2021 NSPC featured online training workshops on editorial and column writing, news and feature writing, sports writing, photojournalism, editorial cartooning, radio scriptwriting and broadcasting, TV scriptwriting and broadcasting, infomercial and online publication.

New events under the Special Program in Journalism such as Documentary Film, Research on Campus Journalism, Mobile Journalism and Campus Journalism Vlog were also introduced at the virtual conference.

At least 330 learners and school paper advisers from all over the country interacted with reputable veteran journalists and practitioners who served as resource speakers in the various seminars.

Veteran journalist Howie Severino, the guest speaker, said that the role of journalists is to enlighten and provide truth in the age of disinformation.

“Ang ating misyon ay to enlighten, magbigay liwanag sa iba’t ibang importanteng issue sa lipunan. Tayong mga journalist, ang ating propesyon ay anak ng age of enlightenment, naniniwala tayo na ang katotohanan ang pinakamataas na virtue, ang pinakatamaas na value,” Severino shared.

Meanwhile, Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said that the passion for truth-seeking will equip learners in the future.

“We’re very fortunate that as we all share the passion for truth-seeking, the youngsters will be equipped with 21st century skills of critical thinking, creative thinking, communications skills, and other life skills developed through the journalistic undertaking that we do,” San Antonio shared.