Benguet school paper backs UPian with libel case

MORE support is coming in for a young campus journalist of the University of the Philippines–Baguio (UPB) presently facing a libel suit.

Benguet State University (BSU) official student publication Mountain Collegian (MC) confirmed its support to Jesusa Paquibot, who is editor–in–chief of the UPB student publication, Outcrop.

On the MC’s April–July 2012 issue released Monday, the BSU published an article entitled “In support for freedom of the press,” which publicly expressed the MC staff support to Paquibot.

“The Mountain Collegian accepts that campus journalists must not write afar from what is true because campus journalists have a pledge towards responsible journalism. The Mountain Collegian recognizes the significance of campus press freedom in bringing to the student body the social task of telling the truth and expressing the ideals of the studentry,” the article read.

The article added: “The MC deems that campus press freedom is the heart of campus journalism. The denial of such, partly or in full and in whatever mode, is equivalent to hindering campus journalists from bringing the truth to the studentry. Furthermore, such repression is clearly violating the constitution and the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.”

“The MC stands on the belief that the article ‘Yupiang Yupi’ does not mean to insult or criticize the nature, name, and honor of anyone in particular. Moreover, the article addresses certain issues of the students, such as embarrassing campus journalists who are just doing their duties,” it added.

The staff of MC hopes justice will prevail on the case and both sides should be heard.

The campus journalist was charged with libel by certain teacher in UPB. The Outcrop staff published an article in the Yupiang Yupi issue that talked about social problems.

The complainant said the article talked about her, adding that it destroyed her image and morale. (Rubyloida Bitog)