The Commission on Human Rights joins all educational institutions and students in the observance of the National Campus Press Freedom Day today, 25 July 2020.
This observance was declared only last year, on 28 August 2019 through Republic Act No. 11440 or the National Campus Press Freedom Day Act, in recognition of the importance of campus press in promoting and protecting press freedom and freedom of expression.
During the period of its declaration, the reality in many key universities was in stark contrast to what the law aspires to cultivate. It was signed at a time when campus journalism and student protests were confronted with intimidation and harassment and universities were labeled as breeding and recruiting grounds for rebels and subversives.
A year since its declaration, the state of press freedom, including campus journalism, continues to regress.
Individual attacks and/or harassment faced by journalist and media workers also continue to grow. Impunity, red-tagging, and policies that curtail fundamental freedoms further contribute to the declining state of press freedom.
Campuses, which are meant to be safe spaces for intellectual discussion and tackling of social issues, have not been spared from intimidation and harassments.
Given these realities and current challenges, we enjoin the government and educational institutions to make the first celebration of the National Campus Press Freedom Day an opportunity to heed to the voice of the students and ensure protection and promotion of their freedom of expression.
Campus journalism captures the pulse of the youth on social issues and conveys the response of students to the call of the times. Press freedom in campuses cultivate future leaders that promote truth, accountability, and social good. To truly commemorate this day, let us listen to the clamor of the youth as expressed in student publications and campus activities
We also remind the government and all educational institutions to continue to empower students, make their voice be heard, and ensure their safe participation and inclusion on all matters that impact them and their future.
Throughout our history, the idealism, vigor, and principled convictions of student journalists and leaders have fueled the pursuit of fundamental freedoms through free press and free expression. Let us harness the courage of the youth as they continue to remain hopeful in building a future where they can thrive.