The Union of Journalists of the Philippines – UP strongly condemns the online harassment targeted at the editorial board of Atenews, the official student publication of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), following the publication’s statement of support for the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity during his administration’s bloody drug war.

At a time when press freedom is increasingly under threat, it is deeply troubling that student publications are not spared from baseless accusations, harassment, bullying and even doxxing. The allegations leveled against Atenews are not only misleading but also reckless and dangerous. These attacks are blatant press freedom violations and direct threats to the safety and security of student journalists.

Accusing the publication of misrepresentation for using “we” in its statement ignores a basic tenet of journalism. Editorials use “we” to represent the collective stance of the publication’s editorial board — not of the entire university nor of all its alumni. Student publications are not mere mouthpieces of their respective universities, but rather they are independent entities tasked with engaging critically with pivotal issues. Implying that student publications must align with the views of the university as a whole, including its alumni, undermines the very essence of a free and independent press.

Dismissing Atenews’ editorial stance as “clout-chasing” and labeling them as an “attack dog” are also insults to the work and integrity of student journalists. Student publications strive to fulfill their duty of informing the public, often under pressure and with limited resources, all while facing harassment, threats, red-tagging and censorship. Atenews, like other news publications, plays a crucial role in shaping informed discourse.

It is not a journalist’s role to remain silent or neutral in the face of injustice. Journalists exist to expose the truth, challenge those in power and demand accountability from them — not to pacify or serve those who wish to evade scrutiny. To reduce their efforts to mere attention-seeking is a deliberate attempt to delegitimize student publications.

These attacks against Atenews is not an isolated incident — it is a part of a broader, systematic effort to suppress dissent and erode press freedom. Silencing student journalists sets a dangerous precedent as it is a direct assault not only on press freedom but also on democracy itself.

Instead of vilifying student journalists, the focus must remain on the real issue — the thousands of lives lost under Duterte’s bloody drug war. This outrage should not be aimed at those exposing injustices, but at the architect of a campaign that claimed the lives of thousands of Filipinos. Duterte must be held accountable. It is he and all those who enabled his drug war who must be subjected to scrutiny, not the student journalists. No amount of harassment or intimidation against journalists will erase the bloodstains of those who perished without justice under Duterte’s hand.

It is also deeply hypocritical to invoke “due process” to shield Duterte when it is the very right denied to the thousands of victims of extrajudicial killings. These victims were denied their right to fair trial — thousands were mercilessly executed without evidence, defense and justice. Demanding due process for Duterte when he denied it to his victims is not just hypocrisy, but also a brazen insult to the grieving families.

The Union stands in solidarity with Atenews and all student publications that bravely speak truth to power despite facing threats and intimidation. We refuse to stand by as student journalists are continuously harassed, threatened, and vilified simply for speaking the truth. No journalist, especially student journalists, should ever be harassed, silenced, or endangered for simply doing their job.