AS we live in an era where fake news spreads six times faster than the truth, the journey to attaining it is a challenging one. With the current climate where politics thrives in the presence of misinformation, political propaganda, and the vloggers who tag themselves as members of the press, journalists find themselves in a position fighting for the truth.  

     According to a survey conducted by SWS in 2022, it revealed that 51% of Filipinos find it difficult to spot fake news, while seven out of ten Filipinos believe that fake news is a serious problem. With the rise of artificial intelligence and tools such as face swap, it has become challenging now more challenging than ever to pacify propaganda. When truth is no longer viral, journalists have the responsibility to reclaim it. 

     Long before, campus journalists had the power to influence change within the local communities they belonged to. During the campaign season for the midterm elections, SPARK, the official student publication of Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, released a survey on the election preference of the student body. The publication received backlash from a government official of the province since it highlights the aversion of the people towards them. Despite continuous red-tagging and harassment, the publication continued to be steadfast, highlighting the importance of truth that knows no bounds. With this, it opened discussions on the prevalence of political dynasties within the province. As it wields the power and influence that campus journalists have, people now embrace truth, opening important discussions, especially during those times.  

     According to GMA News, Millennials and Gen Z hold 68% of the total voting population for this year’s election. With most voters coming from the youth sector, it was crucial for student publications to guide the people on who to vote for. By presenting candidates’ backgrounds and experiences, it helped students make guided decisions based on factual information. Conducting forums and fora focused on the elections was one of the few ways of The Bedan Herald to educate its community and push forward its advocacy of fair and clean elections. From Digital Disrupt, [M]ulat: Magulat at Mag-mulat, TingaLaya: Boses ng Kabataan, these events respectively empower not only campus journalists but also students. By this, campus papers spark change, by exposing lies and highlighting the truth, student publications are able to educate their community. 

     Earlier this year, Meta canceled its third-party fact-checking program, highlighting the threat to the attainment of truth as misinformation now remains unchecked. With this, publications and media outlets from across the Philippines have launched their own respective fact-checking initiatives, ensuring that the people are well informed of what is real and not. As 82% of Filipinos use social media and online news as main sources of information, journalists must take an active role. 

     During the post-pandemic era, many student publications have shifted their operations fully online, establishing their respective websites and social media pages. When disinformation serves not just as a result of data-driven algorithms but as a business model for many tech companies, campus journalists have to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the truth always prevails. As Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa once said, “Without facts, you can’t have truth, without truth, you can’t have trust, without trust, we have no shared reality, no democracy.” 

     As the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation ensues, campus journalists carry the responsibility to highlight stories that matter, leading people to the truth.  With The Bedan Herald entering its 31st Volume this coming school year, it's committed to one thing - amplifying stories that matter as it continues to fulfill its noble obligation. We will use our pens to counter propaganda and lies. 

     From the newsrooms to the streets, campus journalists must work towards reclaiming reality, one truth at a time.