THE DEPARTMENT of Education has called on campus journalists to remain steadfast in pursuing truth and accountability amid the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

During the opening of the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC), DepEd, together with local government units, urged young journalists to take on a more critical role in combating misinformation and disinformation.

“Now more than ever, the role of the student journalist is vital. They are called to lead in fact-checking and to stand as defenders of verified, credible, and truthful information for the public,” said DepEd Undersecretary for the Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion, representing Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

Oracion also highlighted how the rapid spread of information today brings both opportunities and risks.

She emphasized the importance of principled journalism in shaping public understanding, urging student journalists to uphold accuracy and integrity in their work.

This year’s NSPC, themed “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag,” features competitions in writing, visual journalism, and broadcast and multimedia—reflecting the evolving demands of the profession.

Categories include news, feature, editorial, sports, science and technology, and column writing, as well as copyediting and headline writing, photojournalism, editorial cartooning, radio and television broadcasting, online publishing, and mobile journalism.