Asia-Pacific’s oldest student alliance condemned the eviction of a student publication from its office, rendering one of the Philippines’ oldest existing newspapers “homeless.”
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) said University of San Carlos (USC) administration’s decision against student publication Today’s Carolinian (TC) is a violation of press freedom and student rights.
A January 15 notice placed on the publication’s door said the workroom must be vacated within the day as it would be used by the university alumni office.
The “notice” was apparently issued by the USC administration.
CEGP however said USC did not give TC advance information and ordered the eviction amid discussions of tuition and other fee increases (TOFI) when the students’ publication is most needed.
Founded in 1932, TC is known as an independent student newspaper. It is also famous for being one of the best-designed student publications.
It had been “defunded” by the USC administration since 2019 following a series of critical reports on TOFI “and repressive policies against the students.”
“USC’s removal of TC office amid (the) students’ fearless inquiry on tuition and other school fees increase is a clear violation of the democratic rights of the students and its communities,” CEGP national spokesperson Brell Lacerna said.
An administration forceful of its power is…unfit to lead its constituents if they treat the clamor of students as a threat, instead on assessing the policies they impose, Lacerna added.
The CEGP said TC had been receiving pressure to undergo accreditation under USC’s Office of Student Formation and Activities (OSFA) the student alliance said is notorious for “arbitrary policies”against student organizations.
CEGP said the OSFA had been preventing students from holding progressive activities and participating in people’s campaigns.
TC had also been barred from covering recent university intramurals.
USC’s Talamban campus had also evicted its student publication, CEGP reported.
USC has yet to reply to requests for comment.
Considered as school institutions, student publication had traditionally been given offices inside campuses.
The Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (Republic Act 7079) said it is State policy to uphold and protect the freedom of the press even at the campus level.
The law said campus journalism must be promoted and developed “as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth.”
The measure however is cited as a reason for defunding hundreds of student publications since its enactment in 1991.
“The school administration must cooperate with its constituents, especially in the talks on TOFI, and recognize student councils and publications as representations of the USC community,” the CEGP said.
The guild also said the USC must restart collecting funds for TC’s operations. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
