Truth Reveals (an editorial for a newsletter)

                                       
     Most in this publication are dreaming of being a journalist someday. But we have to admit that most are afraid of doing what a journalist should do- to expose the truth.  It is not hard to define the word. What exist in reality is true. When Nea Trina Mejico won the title in MS. BSU pageant, it’s true because it happened. Her winning did exist.
    While professional media men are alleged of entertaining more bad issues than good ones, as to the concern answered by ABS- CBN reporter, Doland Castro in the COMGUILD Journalism Seminar last August 2, campus papers seem to be the exact opposite. He put in plain words that they, reporters are just telling what the real situations and events are occurring everyday. In short, they are only telling the truth. It just so happened that what occur are bad news…bad issues and what do occur or exist are the truth.
    The point is; truth isn’t always about nice events, great stories or good news. When someone says, some BSU students got pissed off after the Students Night because of delayed time of letting them out of the cultural center, this is neither a nice event nor good news. But it doesn’t mean that it is not worth publishing in the campus paper.
Admit it; we have issues of students violating school regulations multiple times and even issues about instructor(s) treating students irrationally and unprofessionally. Are these things not worth exposing? Do students deserve to know only about the triumphs, the achievements and the good deeds? Exposing bad issues is not about provoking anyone to rebellion. It is not after tumults which some issues to be exposed might cause. A writer should be after the fulfillment of his job. We should be after exposing the truth. We should be after the right of the students to know what is happening, what is wrong and even students’ right to speak out issues which might cause one’s punishment but majority’s benefit.
    We have personal biases, but if the issue we are involved in affects not only us but number of students and faculties and would possibly affect many others if not given action at this very moment; that is not personal bias anymore. A newsletter is one great instrument of telling what people should know. Student writers should be the students’ portal to let people know what they deserve.
       What makes us conscious of writing bad issues is the fear that if the issue pertains to an authority of the school, this will affect our position as students. But this should not hinder us from revealing true stories for also as stated in Article VIII, Section 7 of R.A 7079 known as the Campus Journalism Act, a. student shall not be expelled or suspended solely on the basis of articles he or she has written, or on the basis of the performance of his or her duties in the student publication.
        With this regard, we are encouraging student writers and even non student journalists not to be frightened of exposing bad issues because as long as what they are about to write is true, there is nothing to be afraid of.