CAMARINES Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. has filed a measure that will make Basic Journalism a mandatory subject in Senior High School.

House Bill 6021 or the proposed Basic Journalism Act of 2022 aims to strengthen the journalism skills of the youth.

Bordado said that the measure also seeks to promote responsible and ethical social media.

“The advent of the internet and the different social media platforms transformed the way informatiion is disseminated and consumed. And while mainstream media – or the traditional and established broadcasting or publishing outlet – remains, the popularity of platforms such as Facebook or Twitter as a means to distribute information and news is on the continued rise,” Bordado said in his explanatory note.

Thus, it is important for future Filipino professionals and leaders to be taught how to responsibly protect and exercise their right to freedom of expression, he said.

“Providing adequate training and knowledge to our students would likewse instill the importance of truth, responsibility, and accountability in the creation of a more progressive, free, and secure nation,” he added.

The measure mandates the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide a technical basic journalism course based on the professional standards without conflict with the existing journalism courses offered by the different colleges that is being monitored by the Commission on Higher Education.