SCOPE AND NATURE OF JOURNALISM

Before getting into the skills of writing journalistic articles, anyone must have a fixed understanding of the scope of
modern day journalism. Huge as it is, journalism is everywhere, just as media takes an integral part in all of our lives.
Where there is media, journalism exists.

As a field that is worth working, journalism is one of the most prestigious careers one can get today. The tools of
communication and technology are television, the printed media and radio. The internet is a more recent addition to this
list. Many students are getting attracted to this field nowadays because a career in journalism can be challenging as well
as highly rewarding.

Journalism is concerned, primarily, with the collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the
electronic media (http://entrance-exam.net/scope- of journalism/). This involves various areas of work like reporting,
writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. It covers the printed mi that comes in the form
of broadsheets, tabloids, newsletters and magazines.

As regards its etymology, journalism comes from the Latin word, diurnal which means daily. That is why there is the word
journal - a daily register of ____ activities, Hence, journalism is a communication of day-to-day information, where
through sounds, pictures and words. Few places where journalism may appear include newspapers, magazines,
televisions, radios and the internet.

Newspapers are the oldest and most traditional format for the inclusion journalism. They are regularly scheduled
publications containing news of current even informative articles, diverse features and advertising. Indeed, newspapers
original started life as "journals', from which the word 'journalism' is derived. During the 19 century, American journalists
relied on sensational stories that were used to excite anger the public, rather than to inform them. This form of
journalism became known 'yellow' journalism. Accurate and fact-based reporting became popular again around time of
World War II, when the restrained style of writing gained resurgence.

Newspapers played a large role in the development of freedom of expression Inside sources with the ability to 'leak'
stories to the press often choose newspaper first over any other medium due to the perceived willingness of their editors
to expo corruption and lies among otherwise respected institutions.

Magazines, on the other hand, are publications containing a variety of artic that are generally published on a regular
schedule, whether it be weekly, monthly quarterly. They usually take a much more relaxed format than newspapers, with
a mo informal style to their writing. They are also usually focused on a particular subject area of interest, whereas
newspaper articles can cover almost any topic. First publish in 1731 in London, The Gentleman's Magazine is considered
the first general-intere magazine. Its editor, Edward Cave (who wrote under the pseudonym 'Sylvanus Urban was one of
the very firsts to use the term 'magazine'.

Television news journalism, including radio, is known as news broadcasting and is produced locally in a newsroom or by
a broadcast network. It sometimes al includes such additional material as sports coverage, weather forecasts, traffic
report commentary, and other material that the broadcaster considers relevant to the intended audience. Most major
television channels offer regular news broadcasts throughout this day.

Internet communications have excelled in the last decade or so, of course, taking the way news is published with it.
There are now an uncountable digitized numb of reputable and not-so-reputable sources of information on the internet.
Everything from digitized versions of the very newspapers that headed up the first print med movements hundreds of
year ago, to independent bloggers reporting their own stories from the comfort of their own laptops. Because of this,
opinions are much easier to come by, and users can seek out the same story from multiple sources to get more of a
balanced view more than they ever could in the past.

These make the scope of journalism to be very broad indeed, as almost every form of media these days can be used as
an expression of opinion or conduit of information.

JOURNALISM VERSUS LITERATURE

All journalistic ventures are grounded on facts, on truth and on actuality. Redundant as it may, facts are the foundation of
all the ambits of journalism.

Journalism and literature are both forms of writing, consumed by the public and have relative style. They may be guided
by set rules. Literature is based on the wandering imagination of a writer. It is categorized into prose and poetry
Journalism, on the other hand, has main genres that include news, editorial and features. Journalistic genres follow the
strict method of dividing ideas through paragraphs while literature has a variety of forms and styles.
For instance, Jonas, a writer, wishes to come up with a story about ghosts. He now starts imagining the appearance of
the ghosts and creates a plot which includes the conflict, the climax and the resolution of the conflict. Jonas is writing a
literary piece.

Marla, on the other hand, also writes about ghosts. However, before she starts writing about them, she interviews
persons who have allegedly seen them. The appearance of ghosts, including the persons' beliefs about them, is written
into an entertaining way. Hence, the output is packed with facts.

In this case, Jonas writes a literature, a short story in particular while Marla does a feature story, a journalistic article.
Jonas writes based on his imagination while Marla writes based on facts.

TENETS OF JOURNALISM

Going into the road of journalism entails not only knowledge but also responsibilities. Hence, their journalists are bound
by strict guidelines. Journalists have rights, but they must bear on shoulders the duties to serve the interest of the public.

1. Responsibility. Journalists should always be aware of their obligations to their readers to write the truth whatever it
costs. For this reason, journalists must be brave enough to defend facts and the truth behind the news. In this sense, the
journalists' main responsibility is to be the transmitter of veracity in any issue, and that they are liable not to the
company but to the public.

2. Freedom of the Press. As a basic right, freedom of the press should be safeguarded by the people of media. In this
case, any topic under the sweltering heat of the sun may be written so long as there is no infraction to the e laws of the
land.

3. Independence. Putting forward the life of one or two persons by slashing welfare of the general public is a clear
violation of this tenet. It, ther means that the services of a journalist should be committed to the interest. General public
and not driven by the interest of money called "envelopment journalism."

4. Objectivity, Truthfulness and Accuracy. Checking the veracity of data information before they are published is an
example of being accurate truthful. Since facts are the solid foundation of journalism, media men sh not therefore
conceal the truth by fabricating facts and by publishing misqu statements and erroneous statistics.

Objectivity, on the other hand, is simply avoiding conflicts of interest on treatment of the articles and on the way
arguments and news are written.

Partisan news and biased interviews violate the ideals of journalism; er a journalist should know the difference between
news and opinion. Readers journalists alike, believe that newspapers should be objective. Thus, reporters rece training
from those who know journalistic rules, and learn to resolve whatever confi they may have.

Teel and Taylor (1983), as cited by Pangilinan (2012), suggested guidelines attain a balanced story whenever journalists
face controversial issues.

a. Stick to the facts.

b. Never insert your personal opinion. C. Be discreet in the use of adjectives.
d. Avoid cheap shots.
e. Somebody with something to say deserves a forum.
f. Assess your alliances. Remember that you are an observer, not a participant.
g. Listen to your editor.

5. Fairness. The whole point in advocating objectivity is to be fair in presentin information in any journalistic field.
Remember, the public will see the top according to the way journalists present it; hence, reporters should exercis telling
the truth and putting the information in the right perspective.

In this vein, journalists should always present both sides of the coin, both side of the argument, both sides of
controversial issues. They should set both avenues for the opposing parties to ventilate their arguments and points of
clarification. With this mind, journalists, too, must respect the privacy of individuals, unless, there is a warran of a public
right. In case there is a mistake, true journalists should rectify the said error thus the errata in newspapers.
KILLERS OF BALANCED REPORTING

There are worthy concepts that novice journalists must be wary about. Concepts that kill balanced reporting must be
avoided.

1. Yellow Journalism. This is simply sensationalizing a story or an issue. It is a type of journalism that presents little or no
legitimate well-researched news and instead uses eye-catching headlines to sell more newspapers. Techniques may
include exaggerations of news events, scandal-mongering or sensationalism. Most showbiz stories are grounded on this
type of journalism which appeals to the curiosity of the readers and viewers.

2. New New Journalism. The new journalists expanded the definition of journalism and of legitimate journalistic
reporting and writing techniques. They also associated journalism with fiction when they described their work with
phrases such as "nonfiction novel" and "narrative techniques of fiction." In so doing, they ignited a debate over how
much like a novel or short story a journalistic piece could be before it began violating journalism's commitment to truth
and facts. This approach represents a return to the roots of social reporting which was used in Charles Dickens' fiction.

3. Advocacy Journalism. This is a genre of journalism that, unlike propaganda, is fact-based but supports a specific point
of view on an issue. Advocacy journalists are expected to focus on stories dealing with corporate business practices,
government policies, political corruption and social issues. Arguably, advocacy journalists serve the public interest in a
way similar to muckrakers or whistle blowers. Most advocacy journalists reject the supposed objectivity of the
mainstream press as a practical impossibility, and some others take the position that the economic censorship exerted by
corporate sponsors is no different from political censorship.

4. Stylistic Journalism. It emphasizes imaginative, stylized writing of stories and considers newspapers as "the literature
of immediate fact."

5. Editorializing. This is giving the reporter's opinion rather than the fact. It may also mean the expanding of news about
an insignificant happening to give publicity to a subject.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESS

If you have fully made up your mind to go into the path of journalism and the media, you have to be acquainted with
your vast roles and primordial functions.

1. The quality of the newspaper must be reflected in the editorial policy. It is more than just a business because it also
reflects and influences the life of the whole academic community.

2. Newspapers must have integrity and readers' confidence.

3. Newspapers may educate, stimulate, assist or entertain. It is therefore a mo___ responsibility to balance public
interest and the gains.

4. The fundamental quality of the newspaper rests on the quality of the content and the kind of editorial product. It is
responsible for the rise of the reader educational level and resurgence of an articulate, active young generation.

5. Freedom of the press encompasses responsibility of the newspapers. Freedom the press and responsibility are
inseparable. Responsibility of the press mear____ truth in the news - truth tempered with mercy, decency and humility.

6. The press must practice the principles of journalism without bias and self-interest.

LIMITATIONS OF THE PRESS

Pulitzer prize-winning author David Broeder (USA Today, Aug. 12, 1987) a cited by Pangilinan (2012), averred that reports
are flawed. Hence, reports are not tha complete and may bear mistakes. The limitations of the press may be traced upon
the timeframe within which an article should be submitted for publication. Remember tha journalism secures the
freshness of the information. Therefore, when a journalist in a hurry to beat the deadline, he may not have enough time
to reach all the source of information. Subsequently, reporters will be unable to present the story in as many
perspectives as a journalist should showcase.
This implies that readers or the information-consuming public should judge ver critically the articles, the reports,
including the photos. Readers should know how to asi questions that are left unanswered, in the same manner when
journalists dig for fact and additional information.

Another limitation of the press is its proneness to be manipulated by the powerful the elite and the politicians. Broeder
(1987) as cited by Pangilinan (2012) pointec "...every good politician will attempt to work well with the press. If you live
in country where public opinion ultimately decides public policy, any politician who is a all serious is going to try to
manage public opinion, and that means working with the press. So they all do it."

CAMPUS PARER and the PUBLICATION STAFF

The National Newspaper. Before delving on campus paper, it is wise to start the discussion on a supra level. This is for
you to understand primarily the concept of the system that campus paper has.

Thus, a newspaper is a publication sold and distributed regularly in a fixed interval. It may be monthly, bi-monthly,
weekly, daily, etc. and this is because newspapers fall under the category "periodicals." Usually, news in newspapers is
meant to be persuasive, and this is why some news includes opinions and comments that stimulate reactions from the
readers. Another latent function of newspapers is to entertain by the use of photos, cartoons, quizzes and other
interesting features.

While papers published every day are called dailies, we call those which are published weekly weeklies. National papers
are widely available and easily bought.

National papers fall under two categories: the popular paper and the heavy or quality papers. Popular papers present
their news in a lively fashion with easy- articles and many photographs. Heavy or quality papers are printed with longer a
stressing on important and serious events in the country.

Some newspaper publishers produce Sunday papers sometimes, with the nameplate as the daily papers. These are not
Sunday editions of the dailies but in they are of different editors and editorial staff. The reason behind this is the avail of
more people to read during Sundays. The price of the Sunday paper tends higher than the regular paper, but it contains
more news.

The Campus Paper. The Campus Paper is the version of the national newspaper within an aca institution. In other words,
it is a pioneer in the publishing industry as newspaper of the students by the students and for the students to circulate
with academic community. The Campus Paper may broaden its reach like the communi other agencies in the society.

With the advent of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, otherwise kno Republic Act Numbered 7079, the establishment
of campus publication in education and in higher learning institutions has been legalized.

Since the campus paper is run by the students, they have the chance to simula daily newspaper's characteristics at the
same time act as journalists in their own It should be noted that the campus paper is contextualized within the
institution; priority issues should emanate from the institution before touching local, nation international concerns.

It is observed that the size and frequency of the paper vary, depending or policies of the editorial board, the fund or
publication budget and the populatic the learning institution. There are higher learning institutions which collect a cam
paper fee that can finance a semestral release of a newsletter, a tabloid, a maga a broadsheet and sometimes a literary
folio. The school, too, may decide to relea special edition of its publication or organ during intramurals and foundation
days c any special occasions.

In many instances, though, school papers under the Department of Education to release newsletters due to the
consideration of the fund, the population and the sc____

WHAT SHOULD GO INTO THE CAMPUS PAPER?

Campus journalism serves as a means to strengthen the ethical values an encourage the creative and critical thinking of
the Filipino youth. It also helps developing the personal discipline and moral character of the young.

Campus Journalism is one of the most effective means of teaching students the basic and advanced writing techniques
and inculcating in them the values of work and fair judgment. It is a good training ground for future journalists or for
writers. Through the school paper, student writers are able to develop their skills and enhance their craft.

Moreover, with campus paper, both the campus journalists and the target audience are helped appreciate the role of the
press in shaping public opinion. Primarily, the campus paper promotes the best interest not only of the students but also
of the faculty and the administration. The paper is a conduit for the pleasant and wholesome relationship between the
teachers and their students. It is an avenue where students ventilate their opinions, including their grievances. In fact,
many school papers in higher learning institutions maximize these functions.

Today, the campus paper has become an avenue to expose anything against anyone. This brings problems with the
editorial board's security of responsibility, objectivity and fairness. Student writer may write about as is anything; they
observe responsibility. Objectivity and fairness, thus hearing both sides of the issue. For instance, student writers must
not only publish an article about teachers who are enraged with students, but must also look into the reasons why
teachers are engaged, through interview with the teachers. Remember, the prime cause of a campus paper is to create a
campus conducive for learning and to advance the quality of education.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF CAMPUS JOURNALISM

This history of campus journalism is penned by Alixander Haban Escote (August 28, 2008) and is retrieved from
http://socyberty.com/history/a-brief-history-of-campus- journalism-in-the-philippines/.

According to Jesus Valenzuela in the History of Journalism in the Philippine Islands (1933) and John Lent in the Philippine
Mass Communication (1964), the history of campus journalism in the Philippines started when the University of Santo
Tomas published El Liliputiense in 1890.

However, Oscar Manalo, Narciso Matienzo, and Virgilio Monteloyola in Ang Pamahayagan (1985) argued that the history
of campus journalism in the country started when the University of the Philippines published The College Folio, now The
Philippine Collegian, in 1910. They also added that The Torch of the Philippine Normal University, The Guidon of the
Ateneo de Manila University, and The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas were also published two years later.

Whatever came first, Carlos Romulo y Peña edited The Coconut, the official student publication of Manila High School,
now the Araullo High School. It was published in 1912 and it is now considered the first and oldest high school
newspaper the country.

In 1923, La Union High School in the Ilocos Region published The La Union T the first printed and regularly issued high
school newspaper in the country. Since th high school newspapers came out one after the other.

Among these high school newspapers were The Pampangan, Pampanga H School, 1925; The Leytean, Leyte High School,
1925; The Rizalian, Rizal High School 1926; The Coconut, Tayabas High School, 1927; The Volcano, Batangas High School
1927; The Toil, La Union Trade School, 1928; The Samarinian, Samar High School 1928; The Melting Pot, Tarlac High
School, 1929; The Granary, Nueva Ecija H School, 1929; The Torres Torch, Torres High School, 1930; and The Cagayan
Student Chronicle, Cagayan High School, 1931.

FUNCTIONS OF CAMPUS PAPERS

A campus paper may be mimeographed or printed, published or released an organization or school whose name or logo
appears in the masthead or in editorial box. The campus paper like any other media has functions. Harold Spea and C.H.
Lawshe Jr. (from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Functions-Of-a-Camp Paper-1317897.html), as cited also by Sison
et al. (2012), provide the following camp paper's main functions

Aid to Students

a. Provides opportunity for interesting writing

b. Gives students the opportunity to learn how to read the newspapers
c. Acts as stimulus to better work
d. Develops students' power of observation and discrimination concerning relati merits of news articles
e. Serves as outlet and motivation for journalistic writing
f. Offers training in organizations, business methods, commercial ar salesmanship, bookkeeping and business
management
g. Develops qualities of cooperation, tact, accuracy, tolerance, responsibility, an leadership

Aid to School and Community

a. Informs the community of the work of the school

b. Publishes school news
c. Creates and expresses school opinions
d. Makes known the achievements of the school
e. Helps unify the school
f. Encourages and stimulates worthwhile activities
g. Develops right standard of conduct.
h. Provides an outlet for students' suggestions for the betterment of the school
i. Develops better interschool relationship
j. Develops school spirit
k. Develops cooperation between the parents and the school

OTHER FUNCTIONS OF CAMPUS PAPER

Still cited by Simon et al. (2012), here are other functions of the campus paper.

Information Function. This is the function of the news in the campus paper to inform. Since information dissemination is
the main purpose of the campus paper, this is the function most likely performed by any campus paper. It gives the
readers information concerning the things around the community and within the school. Examples of the activities
include the graduation schedule, the enrolment procedures, number of enrollees for the semester and other routine and
non-routine news in an academic year.

Opinion Function. Through the editorials and editorial columns, editors have the chance to post their opinion regarding
current events inside the school and the community. The main purpose for this is to persuade the reader toward a
certain point of view. The campus paper, therefore, can stir the emotions and convictions of the reading public the
members of the academic community.

Education Function. This is one of the primordial functions of a campus paper. Since students and teachers alike are
expected to read the school paper, which showcases topics that may be intensively and extensively discussed, the
reading public may somehow be educated. Tabooed topics such as sex education, family planning and the like are sample
issues in which a campus paper can be so effective.

Watchdog Function. The school paper serves as the harbinger of truth in the campus. In other words, the writers are the
eyes of the readers to see what is happening in the school and to guard the right of the young ones.

Laboratory Function. The school paper, as discussed previously, is a miniature version of the daily newspaper where all
rights and privileges, including concepts and skills in journalism are practiced. With this, the school paper becomes an
avenue of teaching budding journalists. It becomes a training ground for full-fledged journos someday. In fact, the many
campus papers in Manila have become the stepping stones of the prominent Filipino journalists today. These papers
include The Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines, The PNU Torch of the Philippine Normal University,
The Varsitarian of the University of Santo Tomas and others. Neophyte writers pattern their new experience from existing
and past papers.

Documentation Function. The paper also serves as a posterity tool of worthy must-be-remembered occasions in the
campus. This is why, many school publication practice submitting more than one copy to the campus library and to the
archive se so that the paper becomes an evidence of what transpired in such a semester, a sch year or a grading period.

Entertainment Function. As a mini version of the national newspapers, who entertainment section exists, the school
paper likewise showcases feature stories. M purpose of which is to stimulate the soul and to feed the brain at the same
time. Sam stories in the campus that entertain the readers include the experiences of a freshman the most embarrassing
moment of a senior, the ghost in Room Sampaguita, the sh master along the corridor and others.

Developmental Function. In a developing country like the Philippines, scholars and commercial journalism has been
given greater and nobler significance. The source of new journalists are also the school. Journalists in campus
publications are most like to be the journalists of the future. The young journalist whose news deals with cl activities,
school elections and campus activities will eventually become a better o whose news deal with activities of the nation,
national elections and national concern. The developmental function of the campus paper does not only have
implications the young ones themselves but also on the school as a whole. School administrator and staff may reflect
their performance on the school paper and see what improvement must be done.

PARTS OF THE CAMPUS PAPER

Whatever the type of paper it is, the parts and sections are similar to one anothe Here are the major sections of a
campus paper:

1. front page
2. news page
3. editorial page
4. features page
5. community development page
6. science and technology page
7. sports page

PARTS OF THE FRONT PAGE

a. Nameplate. The nameplate is the engraved or printed name, logo or symbol of the newspaper. More often than not,
the nameplate also bears the scope of the publication, that is, the date when the articles were taken. It also includes the
volume and number of the particular release.

b. Ears. Ears are little boxes in either or both sides of the nameplate. Ears usually contain advertisements or
announcements.

c. Banner (Head). The banner is the principal headline which is usually written in the boldest and biggest font. It is the
title of the most important news of the day. This most important news is called banner news. The banner runs across the
front page.

d. Running Head. The running head is a type of head having two or more lines.

e. Headline. Headline refers to any title of any news.

f. Deck. A deck is a subordinate headline or head which is immediately placed below its mother head to give more
information about it.

g. Lead. Lead refers to the beginning of a news story. This means that a lead could be a word, a phrase, a sentence or
even a paragraph.

h. News Story. The news story is the whole story or a part of the whole story about the news which is composed of the
lead and the text supporting and elaborating the lead.

i. Columns. They are horizontal divisions of the parts or texts of a newspaper. The number of columns varies from one
kind of a paper to another, that is, a newsletter has smaller number of columns as compared to a broadsheet.

J. Column Rules. Column rules are vertical lines that indicate the divisions of the columns. In modern journalism, these
lines are substituted with a space (a blank column rule), Space column rules or more formally known as sunken rules and
are usually one em wide. With the advent of digital lay-outing, the printer may adjust the column rule easily and quickly.

k. Fold. It is the imaginary horizontal line that divides the paper into two. The purpose of the fold is primarily rooted
from the lay-outing rule that the fold should not overlay or run against the banner head. Should the fold run over the
banner head, the layout is considered faulty.

l. Byline. A byline is the signature, name or pseudonym of the reporter who prepared the news. It can be seen in various
forms: by Ruben Balacbac, (Ruben Balacbac), R. Balacbac, or R.B. One common error in campus paper insofar as writing
the byline is concerned is the inclusion of the colon between the preposition "by" and the name of the writer. This style
is now obsolete. Usually, the colon is deleted, thus, by Ruben Balacbac, not by: Ruben Balacbac.

m. Box. Any news material enclosed by line rules is a boxed story. In this ears are special types of boxes because they are
specially named because of their position.

n. Cut. The cut is a metal plate bearing the newspaper's illustration.

o. Cutline. A cutline is the text accompanying photos or other art works commonly known as caption. If the text shows
above the photo, it is called line.

p. Over line. It is a type of cutline written or shown above the photo.

q. Kicker. A kicker is a tagline above but smaller than the headline. It stimulating but small details about the headline,
and this is why it is also teaser.

r. Hammer. A hammer is a type of kicker but the difference is that a hammer bigger than the headline.

s. Credit Line. A credit line is a line given to pay respect to the source of story or illustration printed. This is done usually
for stories or illustrate imported or borrowed from other printed materials or people. The differ of a byline from a credit
line is that a byline is usually a name, signature pseudonym of the reporter within the newspaper staff, but a credit line is
for those which are borrowed or imported. Thus, foreign news and data news often have credit lines.
PARTS OF THE EDITORIAL PAGE

a. Editorial Proper: The article that is considered to be soul of a newspa or magazine. It is an article that gives the
conglomeration of opinions of members of the editorial board on the hottest issue of the day.

b. Column: A column is a recurring piece or article in the paper. It is prima written by a columnist who is well acquainted
with the subject. V differentiates a column from other forms of journalism is that a column m each of the following
criteria:

 It is a regular feature in a publication.

 It is personality-driven.
 It explicitly contains an opinion or point of view.

c. Op-ed: An op-ed, abbreviation of opposite the editorial page (though believed to be abbreviated from opinion-
editorial), is a newspaper article expresses the opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with newspaper's
editorial board. These are different from editorials, which are usually unsigned and written by editorial board members.
Op-eds are so named because they are generally printed on the page opposite the editorial.

d. Letter to Editor: Letter to the editor sometimes abbreviated LTTE or LTE is a letter sent to a publication about issues of
concern to its readers. Usually, the letter or the letters are intended for publication. In many publications, letters to the
editor may be sent through either conventional mail or electronic mail.

The subject matter of letters to the editor varies widely. However, the most common topics include:

 Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another writer's letter to the editor
 Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body local, regional or national depending on the
publication's circulation. Often, the writer will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his or her
viewpoint
 Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a previous edition or release. Such letters
may be either critical or praising
 Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation

e. Editorial Cartoon. An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is caricature containing a political or social
message that usually relates to current events or personalities.

f. Folio. Usually written on top of the page, this is composed of the page number, date of publication and name of the
newspaper. Notably, this part runs through all the sections in the campus paper.

g. Masthead. This is also called flag. It shows the publication's name, the volume and number of release, the names of
the staff and their respective positions.

THE SPORTS PAGE

The sports section of a newspaper features information on local sports events, like high school sports teams. College
level sports are also covered in this section, both on a regional and national level. Often, sports page in Philippine
campus papers accommodate stories about intramurals and relevant national sports issues. Student writers may
consider writing sports analysis, sports editorials, backgrounder, prophetic sports news and the like.

As regards reporters on other news beats, sports journalism involves investigating the story, rather than simply relying on
press releases and prepared statements from the sports team, coaching staff, or players. Sports journalists verify facts
given to them by the athletes, teams, leagues or organizations they are covering.

SELECTION OF THE PUBLICATION STAFF

Notably, there are no hard and fast rules on how to organize the staff and to p the editors. Each school should therefore
work out a system best suited to its particu set-up.
There are common mind-boggling questions for the publication head or moderator of the campus paper like: How are
the editors and the staff members chose How long should they serve? How big should the staff be? Should they be paid?
whom are they responsible?

First, there should be a moderator or an adviser who must possess the followi qualifications in the order of their
importance, 1) with a degree in journalism bachelor, master or specialization, or one with a degree in English bachelor,
mas or specialization. 2) with experience in newspaper work or one with more than ordina experience in journalism or
school paper work. Other schools consider one w teaches social studies. This set-up is the traditional set-up of picking
the adviser or t moderator. The Campus Journalism Act, has a different basis for choosing the advice Selecting an adviser
is also optional for the tertiary level.

For the traditional and beginning campus paper system in the DepEd, the principal or the head of the school, with the
recommendation of the adviser may design the members of the staff or may pick them through a competitive
examination. The candidates should possess writing ability, leadership and previous experiences in school publication in
such order. Whatever the criteria are in choosing the staff, the method should be systematic, objective and fair.

Whether the editors and staff members are chosen through recommendation competitive examination, the following
pointers are recommended:

1. The candidate should have at least one year residence.

2. The candidate should not be in the probation list.

3. He/she must not have any disciplinary case against him/her, because there is likely chance for him to drop or to be
suspended.

4. The chief, associate, and managing editors should not hold other major position in school organizations, especially in
the student council or student government. The press is supposed to be objective and non- partisan.

The most democratic way to select the staff is through a competitive examination followed by an interview. However,
there are certain drawbacks. If there are qualified teachers who will evaluate the entries in the competitive examination,
the te will not be worthwhile. If a big number of students join the competition, the evaluation will take a long time.
Another question is: In what phases of journalism would test be? Newswriting, editorial writing, lay outing, or actual
press work? If the test is in editorial writing only, is not that just one phase of the work? Because of these drawbacks, the
adviser resorts to designation. The drawback here is favoritism.

The advisers should not rely only on result of the examination. They should also look for people who did not take the
examinations but have writing skills. They should ask them to join the board, but they should refrain from taking
students into the staff who have more activities in their hands than they can handle. They should be aware of students
who only love to see their names in the masthead or editorial box.

The choice of editors should be based on who obtains the highest average in the examinations and who possesses the
most in personal qualities or traits like leadership, managerial skills, sound judgment and flexibility. Consequently,
advisers should file and publish in the bulletin board the results of the examinations and the comments of the judges.

How large should the staff be? A manageable staff should not be more than ten, as follows: (1) chief editor; (2) associate
editor; (3) managing editor: (4) feature editor; (5) literary editor; (6) sports editor; and (7) reporters (one for each
class-senior, sophomore, freshman).

There are other members of the staff who may simply be appointed: the typists, the layout artist, the staff artist, the
photojournalist and the circulation manager.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Publication Staff

1. Chief Editor

The chief editor supervises the editorial staff of the paper. Usually, he/ she writes the editorials of the organ after
consultation with the members of the editorial staff. However, any member may write the editorial so long as he/she
follows the guidelines in writing. Further, he/she edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the adviser
for final editing and approval for publication. He/She likewise supervises the preparation of the layout, dummy of the
paper and its pagination in cooperation with the managing editor and layout artist. He/She also causes the
accomplishment of all assignments properly and on time. At times, he/she acts as the liaison officer between the
editorial staff and the adviser, as he/ she also calls meetings of the staff.
2. Associate Editor

The associate editor edits the articles in cooperation with the chief editor. Also, he/she may be delegated to write
editorials of the organ. He prepares assignments of section editors in consultation with the chief editor. Further, he/she
cooperates in the preparation of the layout of the paper and paging of the same with the chief editor and the managing
editor.

3. Managing Editor

Acting as the hand of the board, the managing editor brings articles press for typesetting. As such, he/she also checks
articles for typographical He/She prepares the layout of the paper and paging of the same in consule with the chief
editor. Finally, he/she proofreads galley proofs before these finally approved by the chief editor, then by the adviser for
printing.

4. Circulation Manager

As the nomenclature suggests, he/she is assigned in ensuring the release distribution of the paper. He/She also
guarantees the smooth flow of the passing articles from reporters to section editors. He/She is assigned to oversee the
flos processes in crafting the paper.

5. Section Editors

a. News Editor: Assigned as the reporter to cover events relevant to the sch activities, he/she writes news articles on
assignment from the chief editer through his/her own initiative in consultation with the latter. However, his primordial
job is to edit all news articles submitted by the writers prepara to submission of the same to the chief editor then to the
adviser.

b. Filipino Editor. This is an optional staff function or position; nonethel his/her prime job is to write the editorial of the
Filipino section. He/She edits all articles preparatory to submission of the same to the Filipino adv for final editing and for
publication. Sometimes, he/she causes the submiss of all Filipino articles properly and timely. He/She may likewise act
liaison officer between the Filipino staff and the chief editor.

c. Feature Editor. The feature editor gives out assignments to feature writ He/She then receives and edits feature articles
preparatory to the submiss of the same to the chief editor. Sometimes, he/she writes regular articles column.

d. Exchange Editor. For beginning school paper system, this is an optio function. Sometimes, the functions of the
exchange editor are accomplis by the circulation manager. Nevertheless, the exchange editor makes up a of school
papers sent by other schools. He/She is designated to mail cop of own paper to these schools as he/she also files their
papers on a bulle board or display them on a newspaper rack. He/She, too, keeps files of sch information, such as class
lists and lists of homeroom advisers, faculty staff members.

e. Layout Section Editors. They are assigned to cause the assignment of school's official photographer to take pictures on
school's activities for the month or for a specified time. They prepare pictorial articles of the organ in consultation with
the managing editor and chief editor. Sometimes, their job is to write the captions of pictures utilized by the paper in
cooperation with the chief editor.

f. Layout Artists. They take charge of designing and formatting of all pages in the paper. As such, they label or properly
identify all pictures made available for publication. It is suggested that they write using pencil at the back of every picture
of the event to which a particular picture refers. They likewise help in the preparation of the layout of pictorial stories
and make illustrations for feature articles.

g. The Reporters. The life of the contents depends on the skills of the reporters. They secure the cold and raw facts of an
assigned event and write articles out of the same. Moreover, they receive assignments from the section editors or board
of editors and then accomplish the same properly and timely.

THE PUBLICATION'S POLICIES

A well-edited paper needs definite policies which may pertain to what it may print or to what the staff may conduct.
Such policies may be posted on the conspicuous places like the bulletin boards in the staff room or they may be printed
and distributed to the staff.

Policies are brief statements of the paper's platform or are sometimes printed under the masthead, as in the following
examples:

 To support all school projects and to give only constructive criticism of some projects
 To maintain a high standard of sportsmanship by avoiding personal enmity and jealousy both within and outside
the school
 To refrain from publishing articles which convey wrong impressions against the school, and
 To avoid unkind personal jokes, criticisms and caricatures