It is embedded in our law that campus journalism must be integrated, as part of our education system. Republic act 7079, referred to as the campus journalism act of 1991 is the declared policy of the State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline among students. In a time of social distancing, the importance of staying connected through stories, media, and news is so pertinent. Our current global crisis has unveiled the dependence we all have on media and news to connect us. News corporations like Manila Bulletin, Inquirer, and Philippine Star have transitioned to virtual and multimedia journalism, which most people find more practical and convenient. However, this is not the case in occurring campus journalism tilts.

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After 2 years of hiatus, the Regional Schools Press Conference in Region IX, often dubbed by many as the Olympics of campus journalism has gone virtual. Though, as usual, held in the fullest force possible, the limited access, every delegate has been enduring has paved the way for new normal difficulties.

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The law aims to empower campus journalism among students, and empower students through campus journalism. However, this year’s setup of the RSPC provides otherwise. The quote “no one should be left behind” cannot be applied in the virtual event. This puts the unprivileged campus journalists, though willing, at their bottom. Given a DepEd survey showing that, of the 6.5 million students who have access to the internet, approximately 20 percent use computer shops or other public places to go online. Worse, 2.8 million students have no way of going online at all. This does not yet include students who have access to the internet but do not have capable devices which can navigate complicated and high-end platforms. In the newest guidelines provided by the RSPC, all delegates are required to open their cameras on contest proper, otherwise, disqualified. Clearly, this oppresses the poor campus journalists who have lag laptops. Troublesome phrases like “not responding”, or “application has stopped working” are not even provided with specific definitions in the guidelines. This implies that incapability will not be an exemption to an event that is supposed to fulfill an existing law.

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This problem and other similar situations have been attempted to be solved by offices, however, officials might have forgotten that the greatest fear is the fear of the unknown. Unprecedented cases like power interruptions, province-wide connectivity problems, and blackouts will hinder an aimed smooth event.

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Another thing is the uninsured honesty among competitors. Guidelines and house rules that were provided could not assure a clean game among students. In a survey conducted by OnlineEducation, the researchers found that while 32.1% of respondents admitted to cheating in a face-to-face class, 32.7% admitted to cheating in an online course. Online classes are no different from online contests. History has been filled with cheating controversies during face-to-face press conferences. How much more in a virtual setup with proctors only seeing a boxed angle of a wide room full of uncertainties?

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Journalism should always uphold FAIRNESS, IMPARTIALITY, and HONESTY. And these things have become questionable with campus journalism in the box.