The National Press Freedom Day arrives this year under the shadow of deepening injustice and impunity. Far from being a celebration, it serves as a reminder of the mounting attacks against the press in a society where corruption runs unchecked, human rights abuses are rising and the education system is in turmoil. 

In such conditions, the role of journalists as watchdogs and catalysts for social change in service of the people is more vital than ever.

But three years after this day was declared, press freedom remains under siege. As of May 1, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines has recorded 177 cases of attacks against journalists under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s watch. As killings, harassment and red-tagging of journalists persist, the Marcos Jr. administration stands in complicit silence while shielding its own machinery of plunder and repression.

Student journalists and publications are not spared from these attacks. From 2023 to 2024, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines documented 206 campus press freedom violations in colleges and universities, including surveillance, censorship, administrative intervention and the withholding or looting of funds.

Within the Philippines’ national university, these challenges for student publications take concrete form: scarce funding, dwindling manpower, online harassment, lack of permanent press offices and inadequate equipment. Others are caught in recurring cycles of dormancy and revival, struggling to keep their publications alive in the face of institutional neglect.

This National Press Freedom Day, the Union of Journalists of the Philippines – UP turns the spotlight on the conditions of student publications in the University of the Philippines Diliman. We feature their struggles and aspirations moving forward as they wield their pens with courage in the fight to truly serve the people.

Philippine Collegian

The Philippine Collegian, locally known as Kulê, is the official student publication of the University of the Philippines Diliman. The publication is known for its critical coverage of issues within and outside the university and its militant roots since its founding in 1922.

Kulê currently operates with a budget of P3.7 million, an accumulation from the past two years due to delayed disbursements from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), editor-in-chief Reg Dipasupil told UJP-UP. In 2024, the Union reported that Kulê’s fund was at P880,000.

Before the 2017 Free Tuition Law, Kulê was funded through publication fees collected from students’ tuition. Dipasupil said the law shifted the task of disbursing funds to CHED, which created bureaucratic hurdles in accessing Kulê’s budget.

“The problem with that is hindi naging klaro kung paano ba dapat ‘yong regularity and magkano ba dapat ‘yong nakukuha ng Kulê. Hindi rin naman ‘to ma-solve ng [UP] admin kasi nga, hindi naman sa kanila nanggagaling ‘yong pera,” he added.

Kulê’s 64-member staff is set to grow further with the launch of a new multimedia section this academic year. But as its membership expands, so do concerns about press freedom violations. 

Dipasupil said Kulê’s staffers have allegedly been stalked online and threatened during coverage of on-ground protests by state forces.

Aside from such harassment, the publication also faced censorship.

In March, Meta took down a video posted by Kulê on Facebook showing members of the National Democratic Front organizations marching along the Academic Oval. In a statement, Kulê said the post violated the platform’s community standards as it supposedly contained “symbols, praise, or support for individuals or organizations that Meta describes as dangerous.”

Despite these, Dipasupil said Kulê remains committed to covering issues in the service of their readership. He also calls for more consistent funding and operational support for all UPD-based publications, noting that the issues hounding Kulê are also experienced by other publications.

Text by Lau Bacia

Tinig ng Plaridel

Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) is the official student publication of the UP College of Mass Communication. It recently gained recognition in its home college, following the long process of ratification of its constitution.

Despite its recognition, TNP’s proposed P100-per-semester publication fee is currently stalled at the Office of the Chancellor level. Its budget from the Board of Regents is set to be discussed in September and will only take effect in 2026, according to TNP 46 editor-in-chief Christian Chua during the UP Solidaridad Biannual Congress at UP Los Baños on Aug. 4.

“Sana ma-approve na talaga [‘yong budget] kasi ‘yon ‘yong pinakamahirap. Kasi apektado siyempre staffers namin kapag nagko-cover, wala kaming honorarium, wala kaming fees for transpo, for food,” TNP 46 associate editor Azel Cabais said.

Most of its funds went to maintaining TNP’s website, its primary publishing platform, as well as covering travel expenses for the coverage of the biannual UP Solidaridad Congress and the General Assembly of Student Councils. Funds are also used for securing venue rentals for internal publication initiatives. As of writing, the publication has P33,000 in funds from its recent fact-checking collaboration project. 

TNP operates in a small basement office that can accommodate only a limited number of people. Although it was renovated by the previous college administration, access to the space remains difficult since the area is flood-prone and is open only during certain hours.

“Kinakailangan nga namin na mag-book sa labas para makapag-meet. Kahit man lang accessible ‘yong spaces within Maskom or within university siyempre para ‘di na kami mahirapan,” Cabais added.

Most of the equipment used by the publication belongs to individual staffers. The publication has a donated drone and camera lens but lacks other essential tools such as lighting, microphones and cameras. The college has not provided any equipment to the publication despite repeatedly expressing support.

The TNP editorial board hopes for a larger space and an approved budget.

Text by Merry Heart Abuacan

Sinag

SINAG is the official student publication of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP). Now in its 57th year, the publication remains active as it strives to “deliver quality, truthful and militant journalism.” 

But the publication continues to face challenges, particularly in manpower, funding and recruitment of members. SINAG editor-in-chief Jenelle Raganas said they currently do not have a news editor, which limits their news coverage. 

Recruitment of members is also difficult to sustain despite the high volume of applicants every first semester. To address this, they plan to shorten the recruitment process, especially since several members are set to graduate.

In terms of funding, Raganas said that SINAG supposedly has a dedicated student publication fee of P30 per year from the tuition fee of CSSP students, as mandated by its charter and an agreement with the Board of Regents. 

But the collection of this fee stopped in 2020 for unclear reasons. 

CSSP Office of Student Affairs coordinator and assistant professor Aaron Viernes said there is no record of collection beyond 2020, which coincided with the start of the pandemic, and advised that the matter be raised to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for further investigation. 

To sustain its operations, the publication sells merchandise and solicits donations to sustain its WordPress-powered website. 

Without institutional funding, Raganas said SINAG risks losing its website since hosting fees are solely shouldered by the web administrator.

Text by Andrea Pauline Naig

Umalohokan

NCPAG-Umalohokan is the official student-journal publication of the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG). It covers and provides analysis of national and university-wide issues through the lens of public administration, focusing on administration, legislation and their implications for society and public opinion through polls. 

Despite its role in spreading awareness on critical national and university-wide issues, Umalohokan faces challenges in recognition, funding, facilities and manpower, according to outgoing Fast News Section Head Eujuan Rafael Ong. 

While the publication is recognized at the university level by the Office of Student Projects and Activities, it has yet to gain formal recognition from the college because of obscure requirements.

Ong emphasized the publication’s need for a permanent office for meetings and equipment storage, despite having a designated space in the newly opened NCPAG Student Lounge. The publication is also currently fundless, following the removal of the student publication fee in the college, and is struggling to fill vacant editorial and staff positions, as most of its members have recently graduated.

“Similar to other student publications, both on campus and in the UP System, [Umalohokan] continues to push for enough funding, spaces and equipment so as to effectively function as the NCPAG community’s go-to source for information and perspectives on both national and university issues and topics related to the field of public administration,” Ong said.

Text by Vicensa Altiana Nonato

The UP Parser

UP Parser is the official student publication of the Department of Computer Science (DCS) and the only department-based publication in the university. It is officially recognized by DCS, but not by the College of Engineering. 

Since its first release in 1999, UP Parser has experienced several periods of dormancy and revival, the most recent being in the academic year 2023–2024.

Almost two years after its latest revival, UP Parser told UJP-UP that it is currently active and intends to maintain this status in the academic year 2025-2026.

“I did speak with some members tapos sabi nila they are willing to renew for next sem. We’re also going to be recruiting new members for the upcoming semester kapag nagsimula na,” outgoing EIC Elijah Mejilla said.

Looking ahead, UP Parser hopes to secure its own equipment, such as cameras and laptops, release a printed edition and expand its membership to strengthen its operations and improve its capacity to serve DCS students.

Text by Audrei Mendador

Sigla Magazine

Sigla Magazine is the official student publication of the College of Home Economics (CHE). The publication expressed its commitment to amplify the stories of its constituents and become a foundation of change towards a “scientific, nationalist and mass-oriented nation.” It is currently undergoing a revival period and was last recognized in 2021. 

The publication’s current editor-in-chief John Benedick Flores shared that the members are currently working towards the full revival of the magazine by submitting the documents for recognition this academic year 2025-2026. 

He mentioned that funding has been a primary concern during the revival process and they are currently in talks with the CHE Student Council and within the editorial board to come up with income-generating projects to sustain the publication. 

“Wishlist namin ay ‘yong magkaroon ng funding talaga. Maayos na funding not only for Sigla but for all student publications across the UP System since it is our privilege and our right to have funding para sa student publications,” Flores said.

Formerly known as the CHE Seven, Sigla Magazine covers college and university-wide events, including the CHE Student Council Elections in 2017. The publication also held a Valentine-themed event called “Crush Confessions” that doubled as an income-generating project alongside their “Send A Rose” service in 2018.

Text by Isabel Dulay

Kolektibo

Kolektibo is the official student publication of the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD). It stands by the mantra: “Tapang ng Tinta, Kapangyarihan ng Masa.”

Since its revival in April 2024, following an almost eight-year hiatus, the publication once again faces dormancy due to limited manpower. Its last full activity was during the first semester of A.Y. 2024-2025, as most active members had to take part in the Field Instruction Program, according to news editor Daphne Mamaril.

Mamaril shared that there are plans to reactivate the publication. However, with only two active editors, the initiative is being explored through a partnership with the CSWCD Student Council. These plans and mechanisms are expected to be discussed once the SC fills its vacant seats. In the meantime, Kolektibo remains open to anyone interested, with no application process required.

Aside from inactivity, the publication is currently not officially recognized by its college. Mamaril said the lack of clear recognition processes from the college and the absence of funding and a dedicated workspace are major challenges to the publication’s sustainability. She added that they are now working to review Kolektibo’s constitution to address the recognition issue.

Mamaril expressed hopes for enough support, such as funding, equipment, workspace and shared expertise from other college publications, to help sustain Kolektibo’s operations in the long run.

Text by Audrei Mendador

Scientia

Scientia, the official student publication of the UP College of Science (CS), was established in 1988 to tackle issues within the CS community and the science and technology sector in the university and in the Philippines. 

The publication became inactive due to dwindling membership, the loss of its office in 2023 and recurring periods of passivity. Its last full issue was released in September 2021.

On July 10, the UP CS Student Council posted a sensing form to gauge the interest of students in reviving Scientia. A call for applicants for editor-in-chief followed on August 17. 

“I don’t know the exact number of interested students, but I do know that the result of the survey is quite promising,” former editor-in-chief Natalie Marie Galibut told the Union. 

According to UJP’s State of UP Diliman Student Publications Report in 2024, the publication is recognized by the CS administration and has a dedicated student publication fee of P28 collected from CS students’ tuition fee. 

UJP-UP sought further clarification on Scientia’s current status from Galibut, but received no additional information.

Text by Merry Heart Abuacan

Kalasag

Kalasag is the official student publication of the College of Arts and Letters (CAL). In its active years, the publication tackled pressing issues and events in the college, university and society at large.

According to UJP-UP’s State of UP Diliman Student Publications Report in 2024, Kalasag has been inactive since the second semester of the academic year 2023-2024, following the resignation of its former officer-in-charge. Its last coverage was the CAL student council elections in May 2024. 

The Union tried to reach out to Kalasag’s official channels for updated information, but only received an automated response.

Text by Andrea Pauline Naig

Impulse

Impulse is the official student publication of the College of Engineering. It aims to be the primary source of information for engineering students, guided by the values of “transparency, accountability, and integrity.”

Although recruitment is not difficult due to the number of interested freshmen, the publication is currently inactive, mainly because of challenges in member consolidation and sustained leadership, according to Impulse’s former editor-in-chief Migo Pagdanganan. 

The Engineering Student Council has made efforts to revive the publication, most recently on June 13, when it posted a sensing form for students interested in joining its comeback.

Impulse’s last Facebook post was about the movement to junk the SIM Registration Act, while its last coverage was the 2023 Engineering Student Council elections. 

Aside from membership issues, the publication faced logistical setbacks before going inactive, including the absence of a working space and the lack of equipment and support from the college administration. 

“I hope for student publications to be revived, especially in a time of increasing fake news, state propaganda, sensationalizations and distractions. Student publications must take up the pen, cut through the noise, hone a critical consciousness in its readers and represent the voice of the studentry,” Pagdanganan told the Union.

Text by Vicensa Altiana Nonato

UP Guilder Institute

UP Guilder Institute (UPGI) is the student publication of the UP College of Business Administration (CBA). 

During its active years, the publication reported on various CBA-based activities. Its last coverage was the 2019 campus student elections.

The publication has been inactive since 2019, the Business Administration Council confirmed via correspondence, after no member took over editor roles in its supposed 16th year.

Text by Andre Esguerra

Sulo

Sulo is the official student publication of the UP College of Education (Eduk). Despite its commitment to tackling timely and relevant issues within the college and the university, the publication is currently inactive due to a persistent lack of manpower. It was last fully operational in 2022 and only partially active in 2023.

Most recently, Sulo participated in Tapatan 2025: Eduk’s Miting de Avance, according to a shared Facebook post dated May 14. Interim officer-in-charge Jef Fabrigar said that this was in part a continuation of Uswag, one of Sulo’s staple coverages on the College of Education Student Council (CESC) and the University Student Council (USC) elections. He also shared that the publication launched its broadcasting arm, Radyo Eduk, in 2023, which tackled different issues in the education sector.

Despite its contributions, Sulo has not been officially recognized by its college and has received no funding. During its active years, the publication relied entirely on the personal resources of its editors and staff, who used their own money and equipment to sustain their operations.

Fabrigar said that the publication continues to face logistical and operational challenges, including the absence of an editorial board and ongoing difficulties in recruitment. These struggles have made it hard for the publication to relaunch and expand its reach.

“I think generally mahirap mag-recruit sa mga pubs because people are scared of the workload, which is valid,” he said. “We’ve always struggled with manpower. Kumaunti nang kumaunti ‘yong members hanggang sa grumaduate na lahat and ako na lang [ang] natira.”

Despite this, he expressed hope for the future of the publication, wishing for “more active members, more projects, bigger reach and more support from the college and university” to fully revive its operations.

Text by Aya Ancajas

Salimbay

Salimbay is the official student newsletter of the Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT). 

Before becoming inactive in 2016, it was “composed of students who write for the cause that cannot be simply resolved with mere news sheets,” the publication writes on its website.

Salimbay also had expansive reportage, featuring AIT events, tourism industry news, literary works and Filipino tourist spots. 

The Union reached out to AIT Student Council for more updated information about the publication, but did not receive any response.

Text by Andre Esguerra

Sidhi

SIDHI is the official student publication of the UP School of Economics (UPSE). The publication values “truth, service and excellence” in their work. It was last active in 2019. 

The publication previously covered events within the university, including educational discussions, the UP Pride March, and matters relevant to their college. They also conducted mock election surveys prior to the 2016 national elections and again in 2019 for the midterm polls. 

In an interview, the UPSE Student Council told UJP-UP that the publication currently remains inactive, but said the council “is prepared to push for Sidhi’s revival.”

The decision of its revival would depend on the demand and interest of the college constituents, it added. 

This echoes the sentiment on “lack of student interest” raised in the Union’s interview with former temporary editor-in-chief Maria Patricia Nieve in 2024. 

There have been no other updates yet on the potential revival of the student publication. 

Text by Isabel Dulay

A4 Newsletter

A4 Newsletter is the official student publication of the UP Diliman College of Architecture (Arki). It is “responsible [for] giving voice to the students of Arki,” its X bio reads. 

A4 Newsletter’s X account shows two events it has covered: Arki’s dean nominations in 2016 and a student demonstration for the 5th President’s Toast of then-UP President Alfredo E. Pascual in 2017. 

The Arki Student Council told the Union that it plans to revive the publication in the academic year 2025-2026.

Text by Anya Limbaga

Spearhead

Spearhead is a student publication based in the College of Human Kinetics (CHK). 

The publication has no digital traces, but the CHK Student Council attempted to revive it in 2022, according to UJP-UP’s 2024 State of UP Diliman Student Publications Report. 

The Union reached out to the CHK Student Council, but received no updated information about the publication as of writing. 

Text by Anya Limbaga