Boundaries breached, Press oppressed
It is happening again. On February 16, 2024, the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) faced backlash for its directive to remove a TomasinoWeb social media post depicting UST students wearing their type B uniform at a 7/11 branch store. The netizens observed the resemblance of the UST’s type B uniform with the convenience store’s attendant’s uniform, which according to UST-OSA, caused “public ridicule.” Consequently, TomasinoWeb’s adviser resigned from his post, prompting the media organization to suspend operations as per OSA’s mandate. This demand for a post-takedown wasn’t just an effort to control public optics–it was an act of censorship; it was a breach of journalistic integrity and boundaries. UST-OSA and any other school offices claiming they are for the “students” should rid student journalists of the shackles that prevent them from holding a pen to write the truth no matter how bad or ugly it looks.
Some would say that the UST Student Affairs Office was only doing what was necessary to preserve the image of the school–they had to ask the TomasinoWeb to take down the post as it would create public discussions and people would make fun of UST’s type B uniform. This public discourse would possibly delegitimize UST and would paint UST’s reputation on the dark side. It is, indeed, true that uniforms are the representation of the school–its logo, name, values, and spirit. Therefore one should wear it appropriately and suitably as one malicious and scandalous act done while wearing an institution’s uniform will repercuss the same institution.
Besides, the UST-OSA had to put to a temporary halt the TomasinoWeb’s operation not only because of the controversial post but also because the organizational advisor resigned from his post, leaving the organization with no faculty supervision. The office justified that TomasinoWeb is classified as a student organization. Having been labeled as a “student organization” and not a “student publication” would mean that they do not have the same privileges as student publications, which are protected by RA 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991. In RA 7079, tertiary-level student publications do not need a publication adviser, and with TomasinoWeb not being classified as a student publication, they are subjected to OSA’s control and supervision. This means that with every post they publish, or every news they broadcast, the group can be subjected to OSA’s green light. Currently, they cannot even do these due to the lack of faculty supervision further solidifying OSA’s control over them.
However, OSA’s decision to take down TomasinoWeb’s post lacks clear justification and concrete reasoning. TomasinoWeb’s intent was not to portray UST in a negative light. Their intention was clear and contained no malice. Posting a picture of UST students at a 7/11 store branch, noting the resemblance of their type B uniform to 7/11 worker’s attire, does not warrant accusations of “public ridicule” when no such intent exists. Taking down media content without any factual or ethical breaches is an act of media censorship violating the freedom and integrity of the press.
Additionally, according to TomasinoWeb’s profile, the group is a digital media organization which values the principle of journalistic integrity meaning for all their operation, they act with the same regard for standards with which student publications operate. They have published news content, updates, and information. They have upheld the practices of fairness, balance, and veracity. They are a student publication in all but name. This directly contradicts UST-OSA’s convenient technical classification of the group as just another “student organization” which they can subject to control including censorship and abolition. Therefore it is right to say that TomasinoWeb being directed to obey OSA’s directive because of their status as an organization is unfair and unjust and holds a great amount of double standards.
The American Association for Public Administration noted that media independence is important and even a “prerequisite” for good governance noting thta there should be a boundary between the control of the administration and the freedom to operate of the press and media organizations. This supports the idea that the UST wasn’t representing the best interest of the students, rather, they were upholding a decision and action on TomasinoWeb based on the public’s opinion and optics, and how this could affect the school’s image and reputation. But here is the truth: press does not need to satisfy the administration’s, nor the public’s interest; the press is determined to tell the truth and the truth only regardless of the backlash or response from certain groups of people. The media and the press are not here as agencies of PR stunt; they are here to tell what is really happening and not what any school administration wants to happen.
Historically, there have been countless attempts to tackle the press and the media, but the truth always prevails–the facts always transcend. The student press and media do not serve at the pleasure of anyone. The school administration of the University of Santo Tomas clearly breached the boundaries of truth-telling and freedom of campus journalism. Censoring a post results in attacking campus journalist advocacies. Suspending a media organization is the one that should be subjected to public ridicule. The press and the media are supposed to be independent, untouched, and unintimidated. No person in power or with influence may try to trample that down. May this censorship not be the start of the reflection of the total blackout that happened 54 years ago.