THE DEPARTMENT of Education dared campus journalists to be credible by writing and sharing correct and truthful information.

At the conclusion of the first virtual National Press Conference on August 13, 2021, Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla  challenged the learners to be responsible, credible, and to equip themselves with the know-how on scrutinizing disinformation.

Sevilla noted that young journalists should not forget the “deepest why” they are writing and expressing themselves and why they want to be heard and understood.

“I have three challenges to give to all of you and I hope you will keep these challenges in your mind and heart. Let’s call these three challenges as SPC — Self-Identity, Perspicacity, and Credibility,” she said.

The official urged campus journalists to “spread the love for honesty, veracity, and integrity.”

“The objective of NSPC is to demonstrate understanding on the importance of journalism by expressing it through different journalistic endeavors and approaches, and promote responsible journalism and fair and ethical use of social media,” she added.

The DepEd holds the NSPC yearly to help develop aspiring journalists, sustain advocacy on social consciousness and environmental awareness, and enhance journalistic competence.

The three-day virtual event this year featured veteran journalists and speakers including Horacio ‘Howie’ Severino, Malou Mangahas (Investigative Reporting), Susan Enriquez (Radio and Script Writing Fililipino), Stanley T. Chi (Editorial Cartooning), Randolph B. Leongson (Sports Writing), Jeff Canoy (Mobile Journalism), Mark Z. Saludes (Photojournalism), Prof. Danilo A. Arao (Editorial and Column Writing), and Prof. Yvonne T. Chua (News and Feature Writing).

Timothy James Dimacali spearheaded the Science Discovery category, Rupert Ambil, Vino Lucero, and Voltaire Tupaz (Advocacy Journalism), Dr. Michael Francis Andrada (Campus Journalism Vlog), John Clifford Sibayan (Online Publication), Maricel Halili and Gerg Anrol Cahiles (TV Scriptwriting and Broadcasting), Mirinza  Boncan (Radio Scriptwriting and Broadcasting English), Dale De Vera (Infomercial), Prof. Stephenie Ong Busbus (Development of Instructional Materials in Campus Journalism), and Prof. Jeremaiah Opiniano (Teachers’ Research on Campus Journalism).