Campus press freedom bill refiled ahead of press day

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By Juliane Judilla

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), in partnership with Kabataan Party-list, has refiled the Campus Press Freedom (CPF) Bill in the House of Representatives just two days before National Press Freedom Day on Aug. 30.

Now designated as House Bill 4172, the measure seeks to repeal the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which press freedom advocates have long criticized as outdated and ineffective in protecting student journalists.

CEGP and media groups argue that the current law has enabled administrative interference, undermining the independence of student publications across the country.

CEGP, the oldest and broadest alliance of student publications in the Asia-Pacific region, has recorded more than 1,000 campus press freedom violations since 2010, including 206 cases in 2024.

These violations include censorship, administrative control, non-release or looting of publication funds, non-mandatory fee collection, expulsion or suspension, harassment, libel threats, red-tagging, and state surveillance.

Censorship, both online and offline, remains the most common form of attack.

The group said press repression intensifies during politically sensitive periods, such as national elections.

Among recent cases is the forced eviction of Today’s Carolinian, the official publication of the University of San Carlos, from its office, while school officials allegedly withheld its publication funds.

In Bicol, TheSPARK of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges reported harassment from a gubernatorial candidate linked to a political dynasty.

“Violations of campus press freedom have long gone unpunished, as they are often deemed inconsequential by school administrators and the government alike,” said CEGP National Spokesperson Brell Lacerna.

“Efforts to impose weak protective measures to address these violations fall short of meeting the genuine demands of the press,” Lacerna added.

“Instead, dysfunctional bureaucratic procedures and anti-student policies have become the default responses used to preserve institutional control amidst the ongoing education crisis.”

Originally introduced in 2011, the Campus Press Freedom Bill has been filed in every Congress since the 15th.

It was first filed as House Bill 4287 by then Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, a former national president of CEGP.

Subsequent versions were filed by Kabataan Reps. Terry Ridon in 2013 (HB 1493), Sarah Elago in 2016 and 2019 (HB 3636 and HB 319), and most recently in 2022 by current Rep. Raoul Manuel (HB 1155).

All versions were referred to the Committee on Higher and Technical Education but failed to progress beyond committee level.

The newly filed HB 4172 reasserts the need for stronger legislation to genuinely uphold campus press freedom and shield student journalists from censorship and retaliation.

The group stressed this is especially urgent in a political climate where youth dissent is increasingly criminalized.

While Section 2 of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 recognizes the state’s role in promoting campus journalism, advocates say it has failed to ensure meaningful protection in practice.

“Student publications across the Philippines affirm that campus press freedom is essential to the broader struggle for accessible and quality education,” CEGP said.

“Beyond awaiting the bill’s progress in Congress, the campus press’s unwavering commitment to truth and justice must propel its campaign into the streets,” the group added.

CEGP emphasized the need to mobilize more students and communities to defend press rights and hold state actors accountable for attacks on education.

CEGP’s regional chapter in Panay welcomed the re-filing of the bill and thanked the broader youth movement for sustaining the campaign.

“Thank you to Kabataan Party-list, ACT Teachers Party-list (Makabayan Bloc), the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), and all its member publications, institutions, and regional chapters—and most importantly, to the brave campus journalists and the broad youth movement who continue to push for and uphold the rights of the youth—within schools, in communities, and even in Congress!” CEGP Panay said in a statement. (Photos from Melvin James Urubio/CEGP)