Who would amplify the students' voices if autonomy were stripped from the student press?  School publications represent students' democratic rights and an expression of press freedom on campus. The campus press has imbued many with a thirst for truth and social change, setting a sense of nationalist consciousness within them. 

Institutional constraints have long stifled the vision of student publications, impeding their mission to light on institutional and national issues. Campus journalists find themselves constrained by interventions in editorial decisions, restricted funding that hampers daily operations, and censorship of content essential for holding structures accountable. The persistence of violations against campus press freedom contradicts our constitutionally preserved rights to free speech and expression. 

According to the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), there were around 1,000 campus press violations from 2010 to 2020, including administrative interference and harassment. Lack of autonomy remains a concern for publications, such as ‘An Lantawan’ at Leyte Normal University (LNU), where the administration imposes accreditation processes. Despite containing strong provisions, the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 has yet to be deemed sufficient — needing more material aspects to fully support the campus press and protect student journalists' rights.

The signing of the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL) by the previous President, Rodrigo Duterte, increased concerns for the freedom of campus publications. Even before its implementation, state authorities have targeted, threatened, and intimidated campus journalists. Not to mention, in an article published by Rappler, many students have reported unfavorable reactions from their school administrations towards articles that challenge personal beliefs or school values. Despite some administrations adhering to state abandonment, the campus press fights for student rights by courageously exposing anti-student policies and criticizing national and school administrations' tendencies toward commercialization and privatization. Student journalists are at the mercy of school authorities, displaying discretionary power over students' fates within educational institutions.

Student publications must strengthen their ties with the student movement in response to this threat. These times call for exposing such issues as a rallying cry against the enabling circumstances. This critical juncture requires that such issues be spotlighted as a call for change to confront and overcome the systemic barriers to journalistic independence.