Campus journalists from the Western Visayas region recite the Journalist’s Creed during the opening ceremonies of the 2020 National Schools Press Conference in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, on Monday, March 9, 2020. Photo by Charles Magallanes/Be An INQUIRER
TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has called on thousands of campus journalists attending the 2020 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) here to empower local communities by reporting verified and accurate news and information.
In her speech during the opening ceremonies of the weeklong event on Monday, DepEd Director for Curriculum Development Jocelyn Andaya said it is through alternative media like campus journalism that people find their power and voice.
“As a people confronted with the spread of disinformation and misinformation, we urge our young journalists to do their share by providing verified and accurate information that others can use to make sound decisions about their lives, communities, and countries,” Andaya said.
“May NSPC be a continuing platform for our young journalists to pursue truth, report it, and stand by it, without fear or favor,” she added.
Education Director for Curriculum and Development Jocelyn Andaya speaks before campus journalists attending the 2020 National Schools Press Conference in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, on Monday, March 9, 2020. Photo by Charles Magallanes/Be An INQUIRER
Andaya also reiterated the relevance of this year’s NSPC theme, saying that “a lot has been going on in the world” and it’s high time that communities be heard, strengthened, and empowered.
The 2020 NSPC theme is anchored on the idea, “Empowering communities through campus journalism.”
Organized annually by DepEd, the NSPC is the largest gathering of the best and the brightest campus journos all over the country in pursuant to Republic Act No. 7079.
NSPC 2020 is slated to take place here from March 9 to 13, 2020. It is hosted by DepEd-Cagayan Valley and DepEd’s Tuguegarao City division.