Report by Aya Ancajas

Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) is the official student publication of the UP College of Media and Communication (CMC). TNP has the largest number of staff members out of all campus publications in the university.  

The college formally recognized the publication via referendum in 2024. At present, this referendum is being used as the benchmark for the recognition processes of other publications in UP Solidaridad, the system-wide alliance of student publications and writers’ organizations across the UP system.

Among the referendum’s resolutions is the directive for TNP and the CMC administration to “work together in securing and utilizing TNP’s funds from student fees and university grants.” But for two years since this recognition, the publication continues to operate without funds allocated from the aforementioned sources.

Instead, TNP’s funding of around P16,800 primarily comes from paid collaborations with media outlets and donations from its alumni, according to outgoing interim editor-in-chief Richardson Tubo.

“To be honest, after noong recognition, wala pa kaming tangible na benefits na nakukuha from the administration… from the CMC and even sa BOR. Kasi […] ang recognition talaga ay para sa pagpoproseso ng budget ng TNP,” he said.

Despite this, TNP continues to cover college and university-wide news and pressing national issues. Given their growth in audience on social media platforms, the publication is currently looking into developing its own moderation policy in response to increasing cases of red-tagging and threats to security.