Journalist's Creed (https://journalism.missouri.

edu/the-j-school/the-j-school-legacy/)

The Journalist’s Creed was written by the first dean of the Missouri School of Journalism,
Walter Williams. More than one century later, his declaration remains one of the clearest
statements of the principles, values and standards of journalists throughout the world. Plaques
bearing the creed are on display at the School, the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
(since 1958), and many other locations around the world.

I believe in the profession of journalism.

I believe that advertising, news and editorial
I believe that the public journal is a public columns should alike serve the best
trust; that all connected with it are, to the full interests of readers; that a single standard
measure of their responsibility, trustees for of helpful truth and cleanness should prevail
the public; that acceptance of a lesser for all; that the supreme test of good
service than the public service is betrayal of journalism is the measure of its public
this trust. service.

I believe that clear thinking and clear I believe that the journalism which succeeds
statements, accuracy and fairness are best – and best deserves success – fears
fundamental to good journalism. God and honors Man; is stoutly
independent, unmoved by pride of opinion
I believe that a journalist should write only or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but
what he holds in his heart to be true. never careless, self-controlled, patient,
always respectful of its readers but always
I believe that suppression of the news, for unafraid; is quickly indignant at injustice; is
any consideration other than the welfare of unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the
society, is indefensible. clamor of the mob; seeks to give every man
a chance and, as far as law and honest
I believe that no one should write as a wage and recognition of human brotherhood
journalist what he would not say as a can make it so, an equal chance; is
gentleman; that bribery by one’s own profoundly patriotic while sincerely
pocketbook is as much to be avoided as promoting international good will and
bribery by the pocketbook of another; that cementing world-comradeship; is a
individual responsibility may not be escaped journalism of humanity, of and for today’s
by pleading another’s instructions or world.
another’s dividends.

Philippine Institute Ethics (https://philpressinstitute.net/journalist-code-of-ethics/)

1. I shall scrupulously report and interpret the news, taking care not to suppress essential
facts nor to distort the truth by omission or improper emphasis. I recognize the duty to air
the other side and the duty to correct substantive errors promptly.
 2. I shall not violate confidential information on material given me in the exercise of my
calling.

3. I shall resort only to fair and honest methods in my effort to obtain news, photographs
and/or documents, and shall properly identify myself as a representative of the press
when obtaining any personal interview intended for publication.

4. I shall refrain from writing reports which will adversely affect a private reputation unless
the public interests justify it. At the same time, I shall write vigorously for public access to
information, as provided for in the constitution.

5. I shall not let personal motives or interests influence me in the performance of my duties;
nor shall I accept or offer any present, gift or other consideration of a nature which may
cast doubt on my professional integrity.

6. I shall not commit any act of plagiarism.

7. I shall not in any manner ridicule, cast aspersions on or degrade any person by reason
of sex, creed, religious belief, political conviction, cultural and ethnic origin.

8. I shall presume persons accused of crime of being innocent until proven otherwise. I
shall exercise caution in publishing names of minors, and women involved in criminal
cases so that they may not unjustly lose their standing in society.

9. I shall not take unfair advantage of a fellow journalist.

10. I shall accept only such tasks as are compatible with the integrity and dignity of my
profession, invoking the “conscience clause” when duties imposed on me conflict with
the voice of my conscience.

11. I shall comfort myself in public or while performing my duties as journalist in such a
manner as to maintain the dignity of my profession. When in doubt, decency should be
my watchword.

RA 17079 Campus Journalism Act of 1941

(https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_7079_1991.html)

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF CAMPUS

JOURNALISM AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known and referred to as the "Campus Journalism Act of
1991."
Section 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to uphold and protect
the freedom of the press even at the campus level and to promote the development and growth
of campus journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical and
creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline of the Filipino youth.In
furtherance of this policy, the State shall undertake various programs and projects aimed at
improving the journalistic skills of students concerned and promoting responsible and free
journalism.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. –

(a) School. – An institution for learning in the elementary, secondary or tertiary level comprised
of the studentry, administration, faculty and non-faculty personnel;

(b) Student Publication. – The issue of any printed material that is independently published by,
and which meets the needs and interests of, the studentry;

(c) Student Journalist. – Any bona fide student enrolled for the current semester or term, who
was passed or met the qualification and standards of the editorial board.He must likewise
maintain a satisfactory academic standing.

(d) Editorial Board. – In the tertiary level, the editorial board shall be composed of student
journalists who have qualified in placement examinations.In the case of elementary and high
school levels, the editorial board shall be composed of a duly appointed faculty adviser, the
editor who qualified and a representative of the Parents-Teachers' Association, who will
determine the editorial policies to be implemented by the editor and staff members of the
student publication concerned.

At the tertiary level, the editorial board may include a publication adviser at the option of its
members.

(e) Editorial Policies. – A set of guidelines by which a student publication is operated and
managed, taking into account pertinent laws as well as the school administration's policies.Said
guidelines shall determine the frequency of the publication, the manner of selecting articles and
features and other similar matters.

Section 4. Student Publication. – A student publication is published by the student body

through an editorial board and publication staff composed of students selected but fair and
competitive examinations.

Once the publication is established, its editorial board shall freely determine its editorial policies
and manage the publication's funds.

Section 5. Funding of Student Publication. – Funding for the student publication may include
the savings of the respective school's appropriations, student subscriptions, donations, and
other sources of funds.

In no instance shall the Department of Education, Culture and Sports or the school
administration concerned withhold he release of funds sourced from the savings of the
appropriations of the respective schools and other sources intended for the student publication.
Subscription fees collected by the school administration shall be released automatically to the
student publication concerned.
Section 6. Publication Adviser. – The publication adviser shall be selected by the school
administration from a list of recommendees submitted by the publication staff.The function of the
adviser shall be limited to one of technical guidance.

Section 7. Security of Tenure. – A member of the publication staff must maintain his or her
status as student in order to retain membership in the publication staff.A student shall not be
expelled or suspended solely on the basis of articles he or she has written, or on the basis of
the performance of his or her duties in the student publication.

Section 8. Press Conferences and Training Seminar. – The Department of Education,

Culture and Sports shall sponsor periodic competitions, press conferences and training
seminars in which student-editors/writers and teacher-adviser of student publications in the
elementary, secondary and tertiary levels shall participate. Such competitions, conferences and
seminars shall be held at the institutional, divisional, and regional levels, culminating with the
holding of the annual national elementary, secondary or tertiary School Press Conferences in
places of historical and/or cultural interest in the country.

Section 9. Rules and Regulations. – The Department of Education, Culture and Sports, in
coordination with the officers of the national elementary, secondary or tertiary organizations or
official advisers of student publications, together with student journalists at the tertiary level and
existing organizations of student journalists, shall promulgate the rules and regulations
necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Tax Exemption. – Pursuant to paragraph 4, Section 4, Article XIV of the
Constitution, all grants, endowments, donations, or contributions used actually, directly and
exclusively for the promotion of campus journalism as provided for in this Act shall be exempt
from donor's or gift tax.

Section 11. Appropriations. – For the initial year of implementation, the sum of Five million
pesos (P5,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be charged against the savings from the current
appropriations of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. Thereafter, such amount as
may be necessary shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved: July 5, 1991.

Constitutional Provision

The Constitution is divided into 18 Articles:

- National Territory (I); - Legislative Department (VI);
- Declaration of Principles and State Policies - Executive Department (VII);
Principles (II); - Judicial Department (VIII);
- Bill of Rights (III); - Constitutional Commissions (IX);
- Citizenship (IV); - Local Government (X);
- Suffrage (V); - Accountability Of Public Officers (XI);
- National Economy and Patrimony (XII); - The Family (XV);
- Social Justice and Human Rights (XIII); - General Provisions (XVI);
- Education, Science and Technology, Arts, - Amendments or Revisions (XVII);
Culture, and Sports (XIV); - Transitory Provisions (XVIII

Libel (https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/28/36069)

A libel is a malicious defamation, expressed either in writing, printing, or by signs or pictures, or

the like, or public theatrical exhibitions, tending to blacken the memory of one who is dead or to
impeach the honesty, virtue, or reputation, or publish the alleged or natural defects of one who
is alive, and thereby expose him to public hatred, contempt, or ridicule.

Libel is defamation by print, writing, pictures, or signs, as distinguished from slander, which is
defamation by oral expressions or transitory gestures. Libel is written or visual defamation;
slander is oral or aural defamation.