With the theme, “Reviving the Role of Campus Journalism in the Digital Age,” The Lycean Pioneer in collaboration with the LPU Senior High School, successfully conducted its first-ever campus journalism webinar yesterday, April 24 via Zoom and LPU Manila’s Facebook live stream.

The event was moderated by Prince David Aldana and Renee Andrea Cadiz of HUMSS 11 – Confucius while Ms. Clarence Ella D. Alipio, LPU SHS Principal, embarked the program with her opening remarks. This was followed by TLP’s Editor-in-Chief, Katherine K. Chan’s introduction to the guest speaker, Mr. Don Dave Ventura, Junior Supervising Producer of GMA Network Inc.

Mr. Ventura first discussed about the principles of News Writing wherein he listed down the characteristics that a news writer must have. He then explained about the art of news writing and the different news values such as timeliness, proximity, prominence, significance, and oddity.

“You have to be fair. You have to be unbiased. Maintain your neutrality and independence. Get both sides of the parties,” Ventura stated as he tackles the 5Cs in effective writing. He ended his first topic by giving some guidelines and tips in writing a news article.

After a short break, Mr. Ventura continued on his second topic about Media Ethics and Social Responsibility, wherein he gave the characteristics of a fair, just, and responsible journalist. He pointed out that journalists must be bold and brave. Even if there is no story that is worth dying for, the speaker says that journalists still have to be bold and brave in performing their journalistic duties. Mr. Ventura also unlocked the different terms in media.

Consequently, he also elaborated Campus Journalism in the Digital Age in his last topic, explaining what campus journalism is and what type of article should be put in different sections of a school paper. He also clarified the difference between Broadcast Media and Print Media, and the similarities of Digital Journalism and Digital Media. To end his discussion, he shared the steps, factors, and alternative modes to consider in producing a virtual school paper.
Afterwards, the floor was formally opened for queries regarding the discussion.

To conclude the webinar, Publication Adviser, Ms. Hanah Abegail F. Navalta, left the audience with a quote by Andrew Vachss, “Journalism is what maintains democracy. It’s the force for progressive social change.”

This was then followed by the awarding of a virtual Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Ventura for sharing his knowledge and expertise as a resource speaker of the webinar. The event was also made possible through the participation of selected publications and guests from different regions all over the country.