Research Title: Enhancing Students' Proficiency
in Communication
through Campus Journalism
(Original Sample from my Thesis Published on
March 2012)
All men were born naked and devoid of any
belongings except for one-that of the ability to communicate. With loud shriek
of cries, man announces his birth and his discomforts blended with the
immensity of joys of being brought into existence. With his nakedness was the
pining for belongingness compounded by the yearning to connect to others. Yes,
every man is a piece of another.
Thus, man continuously seeks his place into the
world. He toils incessantly to make communication a snap of a finger. With each
new invention every day, the world is awed repeatedly and captivated in trance
into the time where technological revolution dominates the globe. It is
undeniable that the world thrives in communication. A thousand fibers connect
men with each other and daily life of an ordinary person is filled with bits
and pieces which could be gained only thru connecting with each other.
Communication is easily overlooked, but the
ability to communicate effectively is necessary to carry out the thoughts and
visions of an organization to the people. The importance of speech and words
whether through a paper or a voice is a medium to convey directions and provide
synchronization. Without communication, there is no way to express thoughts,
ideas and feelings. This further rationalizes the heightening of programs
that could lift the quality of communication through campus journalism in
different secondary schools. With the different collaborative programs in
campus journalism, the educational system as an institution which tailors what
the society needs make sure that the demand for people who are proficient in
communication would be answered.
Journalism is also the catalyst that speaks of
how much people thrive in communication. It is broadly explained as collection,
preparation, and distribution of news and related commentary and feature
through media such as pamphlets, newsletters, magazines, radio, film
television, and books. The term originally applied to the reportage of current
events in printed form, specifically newspapers, but in the late
20th century it came to include electronic media as well. It is sometimes
used to refer to writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or
description of events to refer to writing characterized by a direct presentation
of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation.
Journalism undeniably plays a vital role in the lives of many and it is being
hailed as one of the most powerful tools in creating change. As Winston
Churchill once illuminated “Journalism is a guardian that never sleeps and
protects freedom of the people.”
The country is blessed with people who excel in
this field. They were gifted in communication and assert the need for
revitalizing of the students capability in this field. Rico Hizon, a Filipino
and a well- known BBC World News Anchor has proven to the world that
Filipinos can pair with others in the global arena of journalism. With his feat
as a world renowned journalist, he was able to bring the name of Philippine
Journalism to a much higher level of recognition. Further, his accomplishment
exemplifies the need for furtherance of the journalism training to secondary
students to be able to maintain the global competitiveness of the Philippine
journalists when it comes to communication.
History itself is not barren of another
outstanding example, there was a man who had been committed to build a name in
the world of Journalism, and he is the late Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Sr. He was
hailed as an outstanding journalist during the Korean War. The valor and award
he received could give manifestation that Filipinos are doing good in this line
of work.
Conformably, this was supported by the legal
basis of campus Journalism in the country which was further elucidated in
section 2 of Republic Act 7079 which is commonly known as Campus Journalism Act
of 1991. It 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 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 of the Filipino youth. In furtherance
of this policy, the State shall undertake various programs and projects aimed
at improving the journalistic skills of students’ concerned and promoting
responsible and free journalism.”
Hitherto, with this provision, Journalism
activities were given more focus in different secondary schools all over the
country. The extent of implementation of Journalism activities has gone
beyond the school paper preparation and other in-school activities. Gone are
the days when Journalism is confined in print publication because of the
invasion of technology in almost all walks of life, changes had been felt on
the various areas of man’s activity. At present, students need to deal with
online journalism, desktop publishing, and broadcasting, to name the few. They
are caught in tangled webs of strains from time and society trying to cope up
with the demands of change.
In précis, journalism activities are part of
growth and development of the students. It is the foundation of strengthening
their proficiency in communication. Thus, the time calls for leverage of more
strategic ways of promoting journalism in the country.
As a school paper adviser and a former student
journalist, the writer felt the compelling need to conduct this study for the
tenacity of recognizing journalism activities which would be the basis for
enhancing students’ proficiency in communication.
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