MAMAMAYANG Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure aimed at empowering student journalists by strengthening safeguards and upholding their freedom of publication.

Through House Bill No. 8718, or the proposed Campus Press Freedom Act, De Lima seeks to repeal Republic Act No. 7079 and address what she described as longstanding gaps that have allowed continued violations of campus press freedom.

“Student journalists often come into conflict with institutions that use their authority to quell free expression and censor the press. Threats and intimidation have become more pervasive, underscoring the need for stronger legal protections for campus journalists,” the Bicolana lawmaker said.

She added that despite the rise of more accessible platforms such as social media, student journalists continue to face harassment, censorship, and even red-tagging and surveillance.

“Although information today is disseminated through more advanced and accessible platforms like social media, student journalists continue to face harassment and censorship from school administrations, as well as reported cases of red-tagging and surveillance from state forces such as the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,” she said.

Republic Act No. 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, was enacted to uphold campus press freedom and promote student journalism. However, De Lima noted that the law has proven insufficient in protecting campus publications and the welfare of student journalists.

If passed into law, the proposed measure would require all educational institutions—across elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, whether public or private—to establish student publications.

It would also mandate the revival and continued operation of student publications that were previously shut down by school administrations.