MANILA, Philippines: The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has condemned the University of Santo Tomas (UST) administration for ordering its student media organization, TomasinoWeb, to take down a photo of two students from the College of Information and Computing Sciences (CICS) wearing a “Type B” uniform entering a convenience store. The UST Office of Student Affairs (OSA) advised the removal of the photo, citing “public ridicule.”
In response, the NUJP criticized the UST administration’s actions as “elitist” and a threat to press freedom. The organization stated that any form of censorship, especially without a factual or ethical lapse, undermines the independence of the press. The NUJP called on the UST administration to uphold the dignity of work and honor the contributions of workers to Philippine society. Unfortunately, this incident of censorship is not an isolated case and reflects a wider trend of intimidation, repression, and lack of financial support for campus press organizations across the Philippines.
The UST-OSA’s decision to take down the photo has sparked outrage among students and media organizations. TomasinoWeb’s adviser, journalism instructor, and newspaper editor Leo Laparan 2nd resigned in protest, citing censorship as the reason for his departure. The UST-OSA’s actions have been widely criticized, with many viewing them as an infringement on freedom of expression and an attack on campus press freedom.
The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) also condemned the UST-OSA’s decision, stating that it “crossed the line” and calling for accountability from both the UST-OSA and the university’s administration. The CEGP argued that the takedown order against a satirical article published by TomasinoWeb not only stifles freedom of expression but also undermines the integrity of campus publications and hinders discourse on important student issues.
TomasinoWeb, in response to the controversy, issued an apology for any unintended harm caused by the photo. The organization acknowledged that the photo had sparked public ridicule towards CICS students, their college, and the university as a whole. However, they emphasized that their intention was never to cause harm and expressed regret for the negative impact it had.
The fallout from this incident has resulted in TomasinoWeb suspending its social media operations until further notice following the resignation of its adviser. The organization is following the protocol of the Office for Student Affairs in light of the adviser’s departure.
The censorship of TomasinoWeb’s photo and the subsequent backlash highlight the ongoing struggle for press freedom and the importance of protecting the rights of campus journalists. The incident serves as a reminder that campus publications play a vital role in fostering open dialogue and holding institutions accountable. It is crucial that campus journalists, student publications, and press freedom advocates stand together in support of the right to publish and defend campus press freedom.
In conclusion, the UST administration’s decision to censor TomasinoWeb’s photo has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the erosion of press freedom. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by campus journalists and the need to protect their rights to ensure open discourse and accountability within educational institutions.
Source: The Manila Times
