THE ALLEGED blocking of a press freedom-themed art was not the first time the advisers of La Stampa restricted its content as they had also discouraged its staff from pursuing stories that could taint UST’s reputation, according to the publication’s editor-in-chief.
La Stampa, the official student publication of the UST Senior High School (SHS), sparked online buzz after the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) condemned the supposed rejection of its publication material on National Press Freedom Day on Aug. 30.
The CEGP described the move as “a blatant act of censorship” that stripped student journalists of their editorial independence and exposed the “contradictions of institutions that claim to uphold critical thinking while silencing dissenting voices.”
In an interview with The Flame, La Stampa editor-in-chief Laurice Escuin confirmed that the publication advisers had blocked the posting of the cartoon. The staffers were instead told to come up with something related to artificial intelligence or “fake news,” she added.
But Escuin claimed that even before the press freedom art incident, advisers had obstructed the release of stories that could harm the University’s image even if they are relevant to the student body.
According to her, the La Stampa advisers have a “hyperfixation” on treading stories that could negatively impact the University, including those that tackle unsuccessful SHS activities.
“[T]he advisers’ supervision within the [publication] is hyperfixated on keeping an eye [on the publication’s] content releases, and how it should not taint the image of the institution,” Escuin said.
Under the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, the role of campus publication advisers must be limited to technical guidance. However, the law did not elaborate on the functions of an adviser.
The Flame reached out to the advisers of La Stampa to get their side on Escuin’s allegations. One of them promised to grant an interview on Sept. 3, but has yet to do so as of writing.
Repetitive questioning?
Although some writers tried to pitch story ideas about topics that they thought were important to their audiences, the advisers would frequently question their validity and connection to the student body, according to the editor-in-chief.
Escuin added that some stories ended up being scrapped because of what she described as repetitive questioning by the advisers.
A story on students claiming to have experienced stress because of the delays caused by class suspensions was archived after advisers had questioned its claims, according to Escuin. The article sought to feature freshmen who were still undergoing orientation while others had already begun assessments and written works, a situation that supposedly led to some students experiencing academic stress.
Escuin said the advisers had questioned the information gathered from interviews with freshmen, claiming they do not necessarily represent most of the student population.
“Can’t we publish news that there were [students who] were affected even without the 85% basis?” Escuin said.
“Because, for [the adviser], the article seems to have an angle that [disadvantages] the [administrators] or the teachers.”
Escuin said she had posed questions to an adviser, but did not get a reply until the following day, resulting in the publication’s failure to produce an article about the event where the information was gathered.
Cause of delay?
Escuin said the need to secure the advisers’ approval before the release of any content had prevented La Stampa from releasing real-time updates.
“The problem is that they are difficult to reach even though we have our messenger group chat. What happens is that every time we try to reach out, they won’t reply to us unless the news is not controversial,” she said.
“Even if the editorial process of writing and all is done fast, it’s all for naught because it boils down to the advisers.”
Escuin recalled a time when the advisers supposedly ordered La Stampa staffers to release content about an event they opted not to cover. The advisers allegedly instructed the publication to post the images on its official page even if they did not meet the publication’s quality standards.
Because of the incident, Escuin felt that La Stampa was treated like a public relations team peddling photo releases rather than a news organization.
“They told us not to mind it and just post it…We have our standards, but they didn’t care,” she said.
La Stampa said the SHS administration has accepted its request for a meeting on its concerns. While the publication is considering seeking support from external media groups, Escuin said the decision on whether to pursue the move would depend on the outcome of the staffers’ discussions with their advisers. F – with reports from Sheridan Joy Delfino
Editor’s note: The Flame has added Escuin’s confirmation to the suggestion of La Stampa’s advisers on its national press freedom day publication material.
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