Camarines Sur Rep. L-Ray Villafuerte’s online and official tantrum over a student publication’s mock election results is a preview and a reminder of what journalists face during elections and a disgusting illustration of how comfortable entrenched power is with pressuring the press.
Villafuerte is free to disagree with the results of the mock elections conducted by Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges official student publication The SPARK but posting a staffer’s name and photo knowing this makes them a target for his supporters is beyond the pale.
While the Villafuerte name may be on a CSPC building, the family does not own the school, much less its community.
That the CSPC administration tried to censor The Spark is a failure to respect the campus press and the students the publication reports on and for.
Furthermore, academic institutions must uphold freedom of speech and expression.
Capitulating to political pressure undermines their core mission of cultivating independent thought, critical analysis, and social responsibility in students.
NUJP joins CEGP and its member publications in condemning this vulgar display of power and patronage and call on colleagues in Camarines Sur and in the Bicol region to stand with the campus press.
We also challenge all candidates to publicly disclose their platforms to guarantee journalist safety and freedom from censorship and intimidation.
