John Icalia

Reaction Paper: Campus Press Freedom: A Right not shed at the Schoolgate

The cases of Malabanan v. Ramento and Miriam College Foundation v. Court of

Appeals made such an impact regarding the issue concerning not only about Campus
Press Freedom but also the underlying principles, limitations and corresponding
consequences if taken for granted. There are always exceptions on rules and strict
compliance and comprehension are highly commended.
Dahil saan pa ang libog kung hindi ilalabas? versus Schools power and
premises in regulating speech. The issue predominantly gyrated around students claim
for freedom of speech and the schools power to instill community worth. Still, an
ambiguous close-ended question underlies beneath which is which?
In making a partial judgment, I noted two underlying yet overlapping Doctrines:
Tinker Doctrine versus Hazelwood Doctrine as presented from the article. The former
was more of libertarian attitude while the latter spoke about reasonable relations to
legitimate pedagogical concerns. Tinker Doctrine allowed regulation of speech especially
when there was no substantial and material disruption of educational environment that
may or can result to an interference with the rights of others. Hazelwood Doctrine
showed that the rights of students in public schools were not automatically coextensive
with the rights of adults in other settings and must be applied in light of the special
characteristics of the school environment. There was no First Amendment offense by
which educators had an editorial control over the style and content of student speech in
school-sponsored expressive activities so long as their actions are reasonably related to
legitimate pedagogical concerns. However this made an impression to me that democracy
had a higher price to pay and also set boundaries on expectations and the scope of
freedom. Perhaps there was a thin line regarding the speech uttered in public and
nonpublic forums. Nevertheless, it did balance Tinker Doctrines limitation regarding the
favoring inculcation over students liberties.
Upon knowing Campus Journalism Act, I pointed out so many overlapping issues
going back to the aforementioned cases of Malabanan and Miriam College. Campus
Journalism Act covered a broad side in protecting freedom of the press which made me
dig a little dipper about the Miriam College case. To be more precise, the case revolved
with the use of (wordy) obscenity in literature as it escalated and earned negative
comments in their community. The school took action against the concerned students,
who appealed and cited Section 7 of the Campus Journalism Act which prohibits the
expulsion or suspension of a student solely on the basis of articles he or she has written.
In weighing, I believe that due process still has to be initiated checking if the published
material did really mean to ( a.) materially disrupted class work, (b.) involved social
disorder, or (c.) invaded the rights of others.

So whats really the point of an idea you indeed care about if not verbalized or
expressed? Is it writing to express or impress? Is it really the choice of words or failure of
one to comprehend the real meaning of FREEDOM? What does it mean anyway? Why
say protected but still found guilty? Why are there so many discrepancies and
irregularities and uncertainties? Why?
At our homes, we first build trust and learn the basics. We then become equip and
sought school for a better learning experience and atmosphere. We confided reality with
our skills, knowledge and logic. We distinguished right from wrong. The point is, we
took it in staircase way and level by level we tend to understand the gravity of a certain
thing whether its done or has to be done or should never be done. We opened our senses
to evaluate the happenings, the people we meet; we even put standards in everything that
we do. Main point, every day is a learning process and that doesnt mean that truths cant
be lies and vice-versa. Every day is an opportunity and we speak and write and let our
voices be heard because we care about it and it made an impact on us. For most of us, it
has become an outlet and there student paper served its real value of letting our
sentiments be heard by our audience who may not or may appreciate the role of the press
in shaping public opinion and of course keenly maintaining the pinnacle and practice of
journalism profession.
Meeting halfway and understanding what freedom means as it entails a big
responsibility should be noted. Yes. Theres the Campus Journalism Act that can shade
you from any troubles you (may) encounter. Nonetheless it was definitely ironic to the
Tinker Doctrine; then again I believe that harmony is to be accomplished if one is totally
fortified of better attitude than pure knowledge alone. One has to set limits especially on
the degree of how he/she interprets it. There are millions of ways to meritoriously
communicate to anyone especially in todays generation. These cases clarified to me the
ideals of an institution in handling and setting parameters in dealing with journalists and
journalists abiding to rules and keeping the environment and discipline visible even
words are so tempting to halt it all. I would also like to insert that word choice is indeed
very important since first impressions may last to somebody but it also carries your
personality and that equates your character and status in this society. We are given the
rights and no one can take it away from us, that are true, but we shouldnt be rapacious
enough to use what we have in order to promptly get what we want and make them as
weapons in shielding us from our very own destructive bullets Insecurities and Pride. By
the end of the day, its either we succumb to the loss of ink or we flip another page and
start over with our mighty pens.