Law Summary
Definition of Key Terms
- School: Educational institutions at elementary, secondary, or tertiary levels including students, administration, faculty, and non-faculty personnel.
- Student Publication: Printed material independently published by students addressing their needs and interests.
- Student Journalist: Bona fide enrolled student who meets editorial qualifications and maintains satisfactory academic standing.
- Editorial Board: At tertiary level, composed of qualified student journalists; at elementary/secondary, includes faculty adviser, qualified editor, PTA representative setting editorial policies.
- Editorial Policies: Guidelines governing operation of student publication, consistent with laws and school policies, including publication frequency and article selection.
Organization and Management of Student Publications
- Student publications are managed by student editorial boards and staff selected through fair, competitive exams.
- Editorial boards have autonomy to establish editorial policies and manage publication funds.
Funding Sources and Financial Autonomy
- Funding may derive from school appropriations savings, student subscriptions, donations, and other sources.
- The Department of Education and school administrations shall not withhold funds sourced from appropriations savings or subscriptions.
- Subscription fees collected must be released automatically to the publication.
Role and Limitations of Publication Adviser
- Adviser appointed by school administration from candidates recommended by publication staff.
- Adviser’s role is limited to providing technical guidance only.
Security of Tenure for Student Journalists
- Membership requires maintaining student status.
- Students cannot be expelled or suspended solely for authored articles or journalistic duties.
Training, Competitions, and Conferences
- The Department of Education sponsors regular competitions, press conferences, and training seminars for student editors/writers and advisers.
- Activities are held at institutional, divisional, regional levels, culminating in annual national school press conferences at culturally significant venues.
Rulemaking Authority
- The Department of Education, in coordination with national organizations of student publications and journalists, shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations.
Tax Exemption Coverage
- Grants, endowments, donations, or contributions used directly and exclusively for campus journalism promotion are exempt from donor's or gift tax as per the Constitution.
Appropriations for Implementation
- Initial funding of Five million pesos charged against Department of Education savings for the first year.
- Subsequent funding to be provided in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Effectivity Clause
- The Act becomes effective 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or at least two newspapers of general circulation.