Is Journalism for all? (I wrote this for UMALOHOKAN's maiden issue)

Have you ever experienced feeling thirsty after a brain-draining exam
and found nothing to drink? How about falling last in a five-kilometer
line at theLandbank’s ATM and then finding out that you have a zero-balance account? Frustrating, isn’t it?

Sometimes we expect too much of something good and lasting but only to
end up disappointed. Let us take the journalistic side of Mindanao
State University as an example. Out of the 17 colleges of theMSU Main, only few come up with a semestral
or even annual publication regularly. We also have the university
paper, of course, but it is also following the trend of
DIE-NOW-RESURRECT-LATER pattern. We are already getting immune to the
almost-identical reasons like thelck of funds, time constraints,
inadequacy of work space and facilities, and so on, which we don’t fail
to read in every “rebirth” (reoperational) issues.
But who doesn’t, who wouldn’t,
understand this plight? Writing and producing a school publication is
not a joke. It requires much time, effort, and money. And considering
the class schedules and other academic requirements, not to mention the
other layer of personal problems, itwouldn’t be easy for the writers to serve the studentry
the proper and accurate information. But can’t we do something about
it? Do we always have to contend with these issues forever?

Problems and shortcomings do come in any organization. They never fail
to disturb any group. But as head or a member of it, one must do
her/his best for its betterment. They say that to find solutions, one
must recognize the problem first. But the problems are already here,
loud and clear. All we have to do is take the initiative and put more
effort and determination to find solutions.
This is not a
mathematical thing. It is a matter of professionalism, and the passion
for journalism. If we really want to inform as well as to entertain the
public, but we are low of budget, then why not choose the cheaper
materials over the glossy and expensive papers showing well-designed
by-lines? If one has difficulty in balancing one’s academics and press
responsibilities, why did one join the organization in the first place?

Dedication, passion and the competence to write, to inform, to
entertain and to serve others through spreading accurate information
and evidenced news are the essential things in the world of journalism.
Mastery of the English language is another. Our work may be jeopardized
if we are not able to communicate with a higher understandability and
purposes to others. We must remember that in journalism, anyone could
be a good writer but not a good journalist.#