The Cenphilian student publication spearheads the virtual University-wide training-workshop on campus journalism with the theme, “Gauging Campus Journalists for Greater Roles in the New Normal,” last May 26-27, 2022 via Zoom teleconference.
The main aim of the said activity was to ensure that student writers, school paper campus coordinators, journalism/language instructors stay abreast with the latest trends, approaches, principles and relevant journalistic writing practices amid world crisis to enable them to continually cultivate their technical, creative and innovative skills for effective journalistic venture.
Dr. Pilipinas Ma. Jareño, dean of the Office of Student Services and Affairs, welcomed the participants and stated the timeliness and urgency of the said training.
“As campus journalists, this training will provide you with essential theoretical and practical skills to further capacitate you in converting conceptual knowledge to the actual practice especially in the crafting of news and feature stories,” she added.
The first invited resource speaker and trainer was Dr. Hazel P. Villa, an English and journalism professor at the West Visayas State University (WVSU) -Iloilo City, and a Visayas Correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, who spoke on the topic, “Mastering the Publication Jewel: Writing Feature Stories for Campus Journalism.”
The second invited speaker was Sir Julius Mariveles, the Executive Editor of Digital News Exchange (DNX) based in Bacolod City who also shared his knowledge on the topic, “Writing in Digital Ink: The Evolved Newswriting Style in the Information Age.”
Likewise, in-house lecturers were invited to extend expertise to the participants. They were Engr. Maria Cristina Canson, Director for Planning and Development Office, who gave a talk on the topic, “Role of Campus Journalism in Capacitating Young Writers for Responsive Citizenship.” While, Sir Jeffrey Gil G. Lingamen, the Managing Editor of the PSDRM journal, gave a talk on the topic, “Ethics in Journalism.”
Dr. Josephine Asuncion Emoy, University-wide School Publication Adviser, IMPDC director, and the overall organizer of the event stated that with the need to train new batch of campus journalists, the goal is to mentor the participants in the intricacies and technicalities of news and feature writing as essential inputs in crafting their articles and in preparing their own campus papers.
“With our brilliant speakers invited for this training, our aim is to guide you all to be responsible writers as you exercise press freedom through adherence to journalism ethics and rules of thumb in journalistic writing,” She added.
The said rigid training was participated by all student journalists, campus paper coordinators, and language and journalism instructors coming from the ten (10) campuses and two (2) extension classes of the University who actively took part in the writeshops conducted by the speakers.
By: J.A. Emoy
Photo credits: R. Suniega & L. Capero