COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN

SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

CAMPUS JOURNALISM

Chapter 2
The Campus Paper and the Publication Staff

The National Newspaper

Before delving on campus paper, it is wise to start the discussion on a supra level. This is
for you to understand primarily the concept of the system that campus paper has.
Thus, a newspaper is a publication sold and distributed regularly in a fixed interval. It may
be monthly, bi-monthly, weekly, daily, etc. and this is because newspapers fall under the category
"periodicals." Usually, news in newspapers is meant to be persuasive, and this is why some news
includes opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from the readers. Another latent
function of newspapers is to entertain by their use of photos, cartoons, quizzes and other
interesting features.
While papers published every day are called dailies, we call those which are published
weekly weeklies. National papers are widely available and easily bought. National papers fall
under two categories: the popular paper and the heavy or quality papers. Popular papers present
their news in a lively fashion with easy-to-read articles and many photographs. Heavy or quality
papers are printed with longer articles stressing on important and serious events in the country.
Some newspaper publishers produce Sunday papers sometimes, with the same
nameplate as the daily papers. These are not Sunday editions of the dailies but instead, they are
of different editors and editorial staff. The reason behind this is the availability of more people
to read during Sundays. The price of the Sunday paper tends to be higher than the regular paper,
but it contains more news.
The Campus Paper
The Campus Paper is the version of the national newspaper within an academic
institution. In other words, it is a pioneer in the publishing industry as a free newspaper of the
students by the students and for the students to circulate within their academic community. The
Campus Paper may broaden its reach like the community and other agencies in the society.
With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, otherwise known as Republic Act
Numbered 7079, the establishment of campus publication in basic education and in higher
learning institutions has been legalized.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Since the campus paper is run by the students, they have the chance to simulate their
daily newspaper's characteristics at the same time act as journalists in their own fields. It should
be noted that the campus paper is contextualized within the institution; hence, priority issues
should emanate from the institution before touching local, national and international concerns.
It is observed that the size and frequency of the paper vary, depending on the policies of
the editorial board, the fund or publication budget and the population of the learning institution.
There are higher learning institutions which collect a campus paper fee that can finance a
semestral release of a newsletter, a tabloid, a magazine, a broadsheet and sometimes a literary
folio. The school, too, may decide to release a special edition of its publication or organ during
intramurals and foundation days or on any special occasions.
In many instances, though, school papers under the Department of Education opt to
release newsletters due to the consideration of the fund, the population and the scope.
What Should Go into the Campus Paper?
Campus journalism serves as a means to strengthen the ethical values and to encourage
the creative and critical thinking of the Filipino youth. It also helps in developing the personal
discipline and moral character of the young.
Campus Journalism is one of the most effective means of teaching students the basic and
advanced writing techniques and inculcating in them the values of work and fair judgment. It is
a good training ground for future journalists or for writers. Through the school paper, student
writers are able to develop their skills and enhance their craft.
Moreover, with campus paper, both the campus journalists and the target audience are
helped appreciate the role of the press in shaping public opinion. Primarily, the campus paper
promotes the best interest not only of the students but also of the faculty and the administration.
The paper is a conduit for the pleasant and wholesome relationship between the teachers and
their students. It is an avenue where students ventilate their opinions, including their grievances.
In fact, many school papers in higher learning institutions maximize these functions.

Today, the campus paper has become an avenue to expose anything against anyone. This
brings problems with the editorial board's security of responsibility, objectivity and fairness.
Student writer may write about as is anything; they observe responsibility, objectivity and
fairness, thus hearing both sides of the issue. For instance, student writers must not only publish
an article about teachers who are enraged with students, but must also look into the reasons
why teachers are enraged, through interview within the teachers. Remember, the prime cause
of a campus paper is to create a campus conducive for learning and to advance the quality of
education.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

A Brief History of Campus Journalism

This history of campus journalism is penned by Alixander Haban Escote (August 28, 2008)
and is retrieved from http://socyberty.com/history/a-brief-history-of-campus journalism-in-the-
philippines/.
According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands (1933)
and John Lent in the Philippine Mass Communication (1964), the history of campus journalism in
the Philippines started when the University of Santo Tomas published EI Liliputiense in 1890.
However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan
(1985) argued that the history of campus journalism in the country started when the University
of the Philippines published The College Folio, now The Philippine Collegian, in 1910. They also
added that The Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the Ateneo de Manila
University, and The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years
later.
Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Pena edited The Coconut, the official student
publication of Manila High School, now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it
is now considered the first and oldest high school newspaper in the country.
In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union Tab, the first
printed and regularly issued high school newspaper in the country. Since then, high school
newspapers came out one after the other.
Among these high school newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga High School,
1925; The Leytean, Leyte High School, 1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School, 1926; The Coconut,
Tayabas High School, 1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School, 1927; The Toit, La Union Trade
School, 1928; The Samarinian, Samar High School, 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High School,
1929; The Granary, Nueva Ecija High School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Torres High School, 1930;
and The Cagayan Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.

Functions of Campus Papers

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed, published or released by an
organization or school whose name or logo appears in the masthead or in the editorial box. The
campus paper like any other media has functions. Harold Spears and C.H. Lawshe Jr. (from
http://www.studymode.com essays Functions-0f-a-Campus Paper-1317897.html), as cited also
by Sison et al. (2012), provide the following campus paper's main functions.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Aid to Students
a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing

b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers

c. Acts as stimulus to better work
d. Develops students' power of observation and discrimination concerning relative merits of
news articles
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial arts, salesmanship,
bookkeeping and business management
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility, and leadership

Aid to School and Community

a. Informs the community of the work of the school
b. Publishes school news
c. Creates and expresses school opinions
d. Makes known the achievements of the school
e. Helps unify the school
f. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities
g. Develops right standard of conduct
h. Provides an outlet for students' suggestions for the betterment of the school
i. Develops better interschool relationship
j. Develops school spirit
k. Develops cooperation between the parents and the school
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Other Functions of Campus Paper

Still cited by Simon et al. (2012), here are other functions of the campus paper.
Information Function. This is the function of the news in the campus paper - to inform.
Since information dissemination is the main purpose of the campus paper, this is the function
most likely performed by any campus paper. It gives the readers information concerning the
things around the community and within the school. Examples of the activities include the
graduation schedule, the enrolment procedures, number of enrollees for the semester and other
routine and non-routine news in an academic year.
Opinion Function. Through the editorials and editorial columns, editors have the chance
to post their opinion regarding current events inside the school and the community. The main
purpose for this is to persuade the reader toward a certain point of view. The campus paper,
therefore, can stir the emotions and convictions of their reading public — the members of the
academic community.
Education Function. This is one of the primordial functions of a campus paper. Since
students and teachers alike are expected to read the school paper, which showcases topics that
may be intensively and extensively discussed, the reading public may somehow be educated.
Tabooed topics such as sex education, family planning and the like are sample issues in which a
campus paper can be so effective.
Watchdog Function. The school paper serves as the harbinger of truth in their campus. In
other words, the writers are the eyes of the readers to see what is happening in the school and
to guard the right of the young ones.
Laboratory Function. The school paper, as discussed previously, is a miniature version of
the daily newspaper where all rights and privileges, including concepts and skills in journalism
are practiced. With this, the school paper becomes an avenue of teaching budding journalists. It
becomes a training ground for full-fledged journos someday. In fact, the many campus papers in
Manila have become the stepping stones of the prominent Filipino journalists today. These
papers include The Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines, The PNU Torch of the
Philippine Normal University, The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas and others.
Neophyte writers pattern their new experience from the existing and past papers.
Documentation Function. The paper also serves as a posterity tool of worthy and must-
be-remembered occasions in the campus. This is why, many school publications practice
submitting more than one copy to the campus library and to the archive section so that the paper
becomes an evidence of what transpired in such a semester, a school year or a grading period.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Entertainment Function. As a mini version of the national newspapers, where

entertainment section exists, the school paper likewise showcases feature stories. Main purpose
of which is to stimulate the soul and to feed the brain at the same time. Sample stories in the
campus that entertain the readers include the experiences of a freshman, the most embarrassing
moment of a senior, the ghost in Room Sampaguita, the shoe master along the corridor and
others.

Parts of the Campus Paper

Whatever the type of paper it is, the parts and sections are similar to one another. Here
are the major sections of a campus paper:
1. front page
2. news page
3. editorial page
4. features page
5. community development page
6. science and technology page
7. sports page

Parts of the Front Page

a. Nameplate. The nameplate is the engraved or printed name, logo or symbol of the
newspaper. More often than not, the nameplate also bears the scope of the
publication, that is, the date when the articles were taken. It also includes the volume
and number of the particular release.

b. Ears. Ears are little boxes in either or both sides of the nameplate. Ears usually contain
advertisements or announcements.

c. Banner (Head). The banner is the principal headline which is usually written in the
boldest and biggest font. It is the title of the most important news of the day. This
most important news is called banner news. The banner runs across the front page.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

d. Running Head. The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.

e. Headline. Headline refers to any title of any news.

f. Deck. A deck is a subordinate headline or head which is immediately placed below its
mother head to give more information about it.

g. Lead. Lead refers to the beginning of a news story. This means that a lead could be a
word, a phrase, a sentence or even a paragraph.

h. News Story. The news story is the whole story or a part of the whole story about the
news which is composed of the lead and the text supporting and elaborating the lead.

i. Columns. They are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts of a newspaper. i The
number of columns vanes from one kind of a paper to another, that is, a newsletter
has smaller number of columns as compared to a broadsheet.

j. Column Rules. Column rules are vertical lines that indicate the divisions of the
columns. In modern journalism, these lines are substituted with a space (a blank
column rule). Space column rules or more formally known as sunken rules and are
usually one cm wide. With the advent of digital lay-outing, the printer may adjust the
column rule easily and quickly.

k. Fold. It is the imaginary horizontal line that divides the paper into two. The purpose
of the fold is primarily rooted from the lay-outing rule that the fold should not overlay
or run against the banner head. Should the fold run over their banner head, the layout
is considered faulty.

l. Byline. A byline is the signature, name or pseudonym of the reporter who prepared
the news. It can be seen in various forms: by Ruben Balacbac, (Ruben Balacbac), R.
Balacbac, or R.B. One common error in campus paper insofar as writing the byline is
concerned is the inclusion of the colon between their preposition "by" and the name
of the writer. This style is now obsolete. Usually, the colon is deleted, thus, by Ruben
Balacbac, not by: Ruben Balacbac.

m. Box. Any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story. In this case, ears are
special types of boxes because they are specially named because of their position.

n. Cut. The cut is a metal plate bearing the newspaper's illustration.

 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

o. Cutline. A cutline is the text accompanying photos or other art works. It is commonly
known as caption. If the text shows above the photo, it is called over line.

p. Over line. It is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.

q. Kicker. A kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline. It gives stimulating
but small details about the headline, and this is why it is also called a teaser. A headline
for a caption, often used to refer to an article inside the paper.

r. Hammer. A hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer is bigger
than the headline.

s. Credit Line. A credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of the story or
illustration printed. This is done usually for stories or illustrations imported or
borrowed from other printed materials or people. The difference of a byline from a
credit line is that a byline is usually a name, signature or pseudonym of the reporter
within the newspaper staff, but a credit line is used for those which are borrowed or
imported. Thus, foreign news and dateline news often have credit lines.

Parts of the Editorial Page

a. Editorial Proper: The article that is considered to be soul of a newspaper or magazine. It
is an article that gives the conglomeration of opinions of the members of the editorial
board on the hottest issue of the day.

b. Column: A column is a recurring piece or article in the paper. It is primarily written by a

columnist who is well acquainted with the subject. What differentiates a column from
other forms of journalism is that a column meets each of the following criteria:
a) It is a regular feature in a publication.
b) It is personality-driven.
c) It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view.

c. Op-ed: An op-ed, abbreviation of opposite the editorial page (though often believed to
be abbreviated from opinion-editorial), is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions
of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board. These
are different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board
members. Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed on the page opposite
the editorial.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

d. Letter to Editor: Letter to the editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter sent to
a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, the letter or the letters are
intended for publication. In many publications, letters to the editor may be sent through
either conventional mail or electronic mail.

The subject matter of letters to the editor varies widely. However, the most common
topics include:
i. Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another writer's
letter to the editor
ii. Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body - local,
regional or national depending on the publication's circulation. Often, the
writer will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his or her
viewpoint
iii. Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a
previous edition or release. Such letters may be either critical or praising
iv. Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation

e. Editorial Cartoon. An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is caricature

containing a political or social message that usually relates to current events or
personalities.

f. Folio. Usually written on top of the page, this is composed of the page number, date of
publication and name of the newspaper. Notably, this part runs through all the sections
in the campus paper.

g. Masthead. This is also called flag. It shows the publication's name, the volume and
number of releases, the names of the staff and their respective positions.

The Sports Page

The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events, like high
school sports teams. College level sports are also covered in this section, both on a regional and
national level. Often, sports page in Philippine campus papers accommodate stories about
intramurals and relevant national sports issues. Student writers may consider writing sports
analysis, sports editorials, backgrounder, prophetic sports news and the like.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

As regards reporters on other news beats, sports journalism involves investigating the story,
rather than simply relying on press releases and prepared statements from the sports team,
coaching staff, or players. Sports journalists verify facts given to them by the athletes, teams,
leagues or organizations they are covering.

Selection of the Publication Staff

Notably, there are no hard and fast rules on how to organize the staff and to pick the editors.
Each school should therefore work out a system best suited to its particular set-up.
There are common mind-boggling questions for the publication head or the moderator of the
campus paper like: How are the editors and the staff members chosen? How long should they
serve? How big should the staff be? Should they be paid? To whom are they responsible?
First, there should be a moderator or an adviser who must possess the following qualifications
in the order of their importance:
I) With a degree in journalism - bachelor, master or specialization, or one with a degree in
English - bachelor, master or specialization.
2) With experience in newspaper - work or one with more than ordinary experience in
journalism or school paper work. Other schools consider one who teaches social studies.
This set-up is the traditional set-up of picking the adviser or the moderator. The Campus
Journalism Act, has a different basis for choosing the adviser. Selecting an adviser is also optional
for the tertiary level.
For the traditional and beginning campus paper system in the DepEd, the principal or the
head of the school, with the recommendation of the adviser may designate the members of the
staff or may pick them through a competitive examination. The candidates should possess writing
ability, leadership and previous experiences in school publication in such order. Whatever the
criteria are in choosing the staff, the method should be systematic, objective and fair.
Whether the editors and staff members are chosen through recommendation or competitive
examination, the following pointers are recommended:
1. The candidate should have at least one year residence.
2. The candidate should not be in the probation list.
3. He/she must not have any disciplinary case against him/her, because there is a likely
chance for him to drop or to be suspended.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should not hold other major positions in school
organizations, especially in the student council or student government. The press is supposed to
be objective and non- partisan.
The most democratic way to select the staff is through a competitive examination followed
by an interview. However, there are certain drawbacks. If there are no qualified teachers who
will evaluate the entries in the competitive examination, the test will not be worthwhile. If a big
number of students join the competition, the evaluation will take a long time. Another question
is: In what phases of journalism would the test be? Newswriting, editorial writing, lay outing, or
actual press work? If the test is in editorial writing only, is not that just one phase of the work?
Because of these drawbacks, the adviser resorts to designation. The drawback here is favoritism.
The advisers should not rely only on result of the examination. They should also look for
people who did not take the examinations but have writing skills. They should ask them to join
the board, but they should refrain from taking students into the staff who have more activities in
their hands than they can handle. They should be aware of students who only love to see their
names in the masthead or editorial box.
The choice of editors should be based on who obtains the highest average in the examinations
and who possesses the most in personal qualities or traits like leadership, managerial skills, sound
judgment and flexibility. Consequently, advisers should file and publish in the bulletin board the
results of the examinations and the comments of the judges.
How large should the staff be? A manageable staff should not be more than ten, as follows:
(1) chief editor;
(2) associate editor;
(3) managing editor;
(4) feature editor;
(5) literary editor;
(6) sports editor;

(7) reporters (one for each class-senior, sophomore, freshman).

There are other members of the staff who may simply be appointed: the typists, the layout
artist, the staff artist, the photojournalist and the circulation manager.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff

1. Chief Editor
The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper. Usually, he/ she writes the
editorials of the organ after consultation with the members of the editorial staff. However, any
member may write the editorial so long as he/she follows the guidelines in writing. Further,
he/she edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the adviser for final editing and
approval for publication. He/She likewise supervises the preparation of the layout, dummy of the
paper and its pagination in cooperation with the managing editor and layout artist. He/She also
causes the accomplishment of all assignments properly and on time. At times, he/she acts as the
liaison officer between the editorial staff and the adviser, as he she also calls meetings of the
staff.
2. Associate Editor
The associate editor edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor. Also, he/she may
be delegated to write editorials of the organ. He prepares assignments of section editors in
consultation with the chief editor. Further, he/she cooperates in the preparation of the layout of
the paper and paging of the same with the chief editor and the managing editor.
3. Managing Editor
Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles to the press for
typesetting. As such, he/she also checks articles for typographical errors. He/She prepares the
layout of the paper and paging of the same in consultation with the chief editor. Finally, he/she
proofreads galley proofs before these are finally approved by the chief editor, then by the adviser
for printing.
4. Circulation Manager
As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release and distribution of
the paper. He/She also guarantees the smooth flow of the passing of articles from reporters to
section editors. He/She is assigned to oversee the flow of processes in crafting the paper.

5. Section Editors
a. News Editor: Assigned as the reporter to cover events relevant to the school activities,
he/she writes news articles on assignment from the chief editor or through his/her own initiative
in consultation with the latter. However, his/her primordial job is to edit all news articles
submitted by the writers preparatory to submission of the same to the chief editor then to the
adviser.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

b. Filipino Editor. This is an optional staff function or position; nonetheless, his/her prime job
is to write the editorial of the Filipino section. He/She also edits all articles preparatory to
submission of the same to the Filipino adviser, for final editing and for publication. Sometimes,
he/she causes the submission of all Filipino articles properly and timely. He/She may likewise act
as a liaison officer between the Filipino staff and the chief editor.
c. Feature Editor. The feature editor gives out assignments to feature writers. He/She then
receives and edits feature articles preparatory to the submission of the same to the chief editor.
Sometimes, he/she writes regular articles or column.
d. Exchange Editor. For beginning school paper system, this is an optional function.
Sometimes, the functions of the exchange editor are accomplished by the circulation manager.
Nevertheless, the exchange editor makes up a list of school papers sent by other schools. He/She
is designated to mail copies of own paper to these schools as he/she also files their papers on a
bulletin board or display them on a newspaper rack. He/She, too, keeps files of school
information, such as class lists and lists of homeroom advisers, faculty and staff members.
e. Layout Section Editors. They are assigned to cause the assignment of the school's official
photographer to take pictures on school's activities for the month or for a specified time. They
prepare pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with the managing editor and chief editor.
Sometimes, their job is to write the captions of pictures utilized by the paper in cooperation with
the chief editor.
f. Layout Artists. They take charge of designing and formatting of all pages in the paper. As
such, they label or properly identify all pictures made available for publication. It is suggested
that they write using pencil at the back of every picture of the event to which a particular picture
refers. They likewise help in the preparation of the layout of pictorial stories and make
illustrations for feature articles.
g. The Reporters. The life of the contents depends on the skills of their reporters. They secure
the cold and raw facts of an assigned event and write articles out of the same. Moreover, they
receive assignments from the section editors or board of editors and then accomplish the same
properly and timely.
 COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN
SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

The Publication's Policies

A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may pertain to what it may print or to what
the staff may conduct. Such policies may be posted on the conspicuous places like the bulletin
boards in the staff room or they may be printed and distributed to the staff.
Policies are brief statements of the paper's platform or are sometimes printed under the
masthead, as in the following examples:
- To support all school projects and to give only constructive criticism of some projects
- To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by avoiding personal enmity and jealousy
both within and outside the school
- To refrain from publishing articles which convey wrong impressions against the school,
and
- To avoid unkind personal jokes, criticisms and caricatures