PRESS FREEDOM: QUENCING FIRE IN THE LAMP OF TRUTH

Throughout 22 years, Fiat Lux has been stretching itself to actualize its mission: To be an effective
tool in relaying to the school administration the problems that need immediate action. Thus, developing
the courage and passion for upholding the truth for majority's welfare is the pledge of its every staff. Such
undertaking is provided to assure that both school and its students have been doing their respective parts
in achieving amiable educational milieu.

R.A. 7079 referred as Campus Journalism Act of 1991 states that “It is the declared policy of the
State to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level and 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 of the Filipino
youth.” and even the Bill of Rights accorded with it. These profound laws uphold the right of every student
journalist to be the voice of the afflicted and left behind and to be an instrument in disseminating
information on every campus. However, assassinating its provisions through conspiracies is detrimental
to democracy our institution believes.

Lately, the administration held a consultation regarding the tuition fee increase to be effective on
Academic Year 2017-2018. Its purpose is for stakeholders to present their propositions and for the student
body to query their concerns. In hindsight, what had actually happened is, it served as a common ground
for terms and agreements when in fact it should be an opposing arena of dilemmas.

It is not new that like all services, education must adjust to inflation. Every year operators of
private learning institutions seek an increase in tuition, citing higher prices of supplies and equipment,
renovation and maintenance expenses, and the need to increase the pay of teachers and other school
personnel. Yet this doesn’t mean that it could be assumed that students are already knowledgeable about
it.

Upon recognizing fair reporting’s standpoint, Fiat Lux sent a formal letter to the administration
yet indiscreetly the requested permission to attend consultation was denied. Take into consideration what
has been wasted; it is student journalists who are trained to be conscious and critical on pursuing societal
and educational truth. From the beginning, the pledge of being accountable to the truth and for the truth
is the burden laid upon Fiat’s staff. And this is a spit for those whose aim is not in vying but working
towards a solution.

The issue also happened last 2015 consultation. This emerging consistency of neglect on Fiat Lux
principles is as a stench in a sink since the beginning of press liberation. Moreover, the publication is
receiving threats upon exposing the truth on Editorial, Columns and even Piyat Looks which is unlawful in
nature.

How ironic to see an institution, which is grounded upon the principle of Trustworthiness, could
not give the studentry the Truth it seeks. So to speak, campus journalism should not be stereotyped as
the pedigree of Activism or weak platform to shame the Untouchables, but a channel in which students
voice could be heard and valued.