By Sentinel Times A resource speaker engages QNHS SPJ students in an interactive discussion during the Sentinel Times Campus Journalism ...
By Sentinel Times
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| A resource speaker engages QNHS SPJ students in an interactive discussion during the Sentinel Times Campus Journalism Development Program on October 24. (QNHS SPJ) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - As technology continues to reshape journalism, traditional and digital media need not compete for relevance but can complement each other in delivering credible information to the public. Both have distinct strengths and limitations, and the challenge for the next generation of journalists is learning how to combine them without compromising accuracy, editorial independence, and responsible reporting.
That challenge became the focus of the Sentinel Times Campus Journalism Development Program (CJDP) on October 24, 2026, when nearly 200 Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) students at Quezon National High School (QNHS) underwent professional training and a newsroom simulation. Organized by Sentinel Times in partnership with QNHS-SPJ, the program brought together four media practitioners from Quezon and Laguna provinces to introduce professional reporting standards and provide students with practical newsroom experience.
Under the theme “Beyond Clickbait and Virality: Uniting Traditional and Digital Journalism for Change,” the training examined how established journalistic principles can be applied across traditional and emerging media platforms. Discussions addressed the opportunities created by digital technology alongside the risks of sensationalism, misinformation, and publishing unverified claims in pursuit of online attention.
QNHS Principal IV Joseph C. Hinanay recognized the Special Program in Journalism as an avenue for strengthening students' communication skills, critical thinking, and understanding of responsible reporting. He acknowledged the contributions of teachers and external stakeholders, including Sentinel Times, in exposing campus journalists to professional practices beyond conventional classroom instruction.
Hinanay encouraged the SPJ students to apply the knowledge gained from working journalists to their school publications and future reporting assignments. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation between educational institutions and media practitioners in sustaining opportunities for specialized journalism training.
“Mahalaga ang Special Program in Journalism sa paghubog ng kakayahan, kumpiyansa, at talento ng ating mga mag-aaral, lalo na sa panahon ngayon na napakahalaga ng tama at responsableng pagbabahagi ng impormasyon. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa ating mga masisipag na guro at sa mga stakeholders tulad ng Sentinel Times na patuloy na nagbibigay ng suporta at pagkakataon upang mas mapalawak ang kaalaman at karanasan ng ating mga batang mamamahayag,” Hinanay said.
Sentinel Times publisher Ma. Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino emphasized that the CJDP forms part of her advocacy to prepare aspiring journalists for professional newsroom responsibilities through practical training and ethical instruction. She urged the SPJ students to develop sound editorial judgment while remembering that journalism must prioritize public interest over personal recognition or online popularity.
“Our goal in this journalism training is to help you become more confident, responsible, and prepared for newsroom work by strengthening your reporting, interviewing, writing, fact-checking, and editorial judgment, because being viral does not automatically make something newsworthy, and being published first does not make it accurate. Always remember to tell the story, not become the star of the story, because journalism is about the people, issues, and truths that deserve to be heard, and our responsibility is to report accurately, uphold ethical standards, and serve the public,” Estrellado-Laurino said.
Four resource speakers affiliated with national news organizations and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) conducted sessions covering news judgment, writing, ethics, and multimedia journalism. Two came from Quezon Province and two from Laguna Province, bringing different professional perspectives to the morning discussions before the students undertook their newsroom assignments.
Patricia Bermudez of PIA CALABARZON opened with “From Event to Story: Finding the News Angle and Building Strong Sources,” explaining how journalists determine which developments have meaningful consequences for communities. Her session examined news values, credible sourcing, and the importance of establishing a clear reporting angle through interviews and background research.
Bermudez encouraged the SPJ students to look beyond attention-grabbing details and examine the broader significance of events affecting their school communities. She stressed that identifying the strongest angle requires evaluating available information rather than deciding in advance what a story should establish.
“Bilang mga campus journalist, mahalagang matutunan ninyo kung paano pumili ng angulo na hindi lamang makakakuha ng atensyon ng mga mambabasa kundi magbibigay rin ng impormasyong kailangan nilang malaman. Bago kayo magsulat, kailangan munang mangalap ng sapat na impormasyon, makapanayam ang mga tamang source, at suriin kung alin sa mga detalye ang may pinakamalaking epekto sa inyong school community,” Bermudez said.
Belinda Otordoz of The Manila Times followed with “Writing Like a Newsroom: Leads, Structure, Style, Tone and Editorial Voice,” emphasizing the ABC principle of news writing: accurate, brief, and concise. She discussed how effective leads, logical organization, and precise language help readers understand important developments without unnecessary complexity.
Otordoz guided the SPJ students through the editorial decisions involved in determining which facts deserve prominence and which details should be removed during revision. She also emphasized proper attribution and disciplined sentence construction as essential elements of clear, readable news reports.
“Always remember the ABC of news writing: accurate, brief, and concise, because a good news story must deliver verified information without unnecessary words or confusing details. Hindi kailangang pahabain ang isang balita para maging mahusay ito; ang mahalaga ay malinaw, tama, at madaling maintindihan ng inyong mga mambabasa,” Otordoz said.
Cecille Maloles of PIA CALABARZON tackled “Truth Under Pressure: Ethics, Fact-Checking and Editorial Judgment,” examining the challenges reporters face when allegations and conflicting accounts circulate rapidly through social media. Her discussion addressed misinformation, disinformation, source credibility, and the consequences of publishing information without adequate supporting evidence.
Maloles stressed the importance of maintaining professional standards despite deadlines, public pressure, and the growing demand for immediate news updates. She also discussed accountability in journalism, particularly the responsibility to acknowledge and correct inaccurate reports when mistakes occur.
“Journalism is not about being perfect, but about remaining truthful and responsible even when reporters face pressure to publish information before all the facts have been established. It is about being willing to acknowledge mistakes, correct inaccurate information, and uphold the public's trust through responsible reporting and editorial judgment,” Maloles said.
Tony Sandoval of The Philippine Star discussed “Beyond the Written Story: Multimedia Journalism and Newsroom Application,” focusing on how technological developments have expanded the ways journalists produce and distribute news. His session examined the demands of working across print, broadcast, and digital platforms while maintaining the fundamental skills required for accurate reporting.
Sandoval encouraged the SPJ students to explore broadcasting and multimedia production alongside conventional news writing as preparation for an increasingly integrated media industry. He emphasized that practical experience and adaptability can help aspiring journalists respond to changing professional requirements and emerging storytelling formats.
“Kailangan maging flexible kayo bilang mga journalist dahil hindi lang pagsusulat ang maaari ninyong gawin, kundi pati broadcasting at iba pang paraan ng paghahatid ng impormasyon sa publiko. Huwag ninyong sayangin ang mga pagkakataong matuto at magkaroon ng karanasan dahil ang mga kasanayang makukuha ninyo ngayon ay maaari ninyong magamit sa inyong magiging propesyon,” Sandoval said.
The afternoon workshop placed the SPJ students in a simulated newsroom where they had to conduct interviews, evaluate evidence, and prepare news reports under time constraints. Divided into 30 groups across five batches, they investigated fictional cases involving prolonged water interruptions, suspected drinking water contamination, shortages affecting schools, flooding near water infrastructure, and disputes over service restoration and billing.
Facilitators assumed the roles of a municipal disaster risk reduction officer, water district general manager, affected resident, municipal health officer, and barangay captain during the reporting exercises. Each group questioned designated sources and compared their accounts to determine which details could be established as facts and which required further clarification.
Some fictional sources provided incomplete explanations or declined to confirm matters beyond their responsibilities, forcing the SPJ students to reconsider assumptions and identify gaps in their reporting. The exercise challenged them to distinguish substantiated information from allegations while developing stories that reflected the available evidence.
After completing their interviews, the groups organized their findings and assigned responsibilities for news writing, fact-checking, copyediting, and multimedia preparation. They produced leads, supporting paragraphs, headlines, and other editorial materials while observing the deadlines established for the simulated newsroom assignments.
QNHS SPJ Consultant Cynthia M. Tadong expressed optimism that younger students would demonstrate greater confidence and stronger journalism skills as they advance to higher grade levels in the next school year. She recognized the involvement of Sentinel Times and other educational stakeholders in providing opportunities for campus journalists to learn directly from experienced media practitioners.
Tadong encouraged the SPJ students to apply their newly acquired skills to school publications, reporting assignments, and future journalism competitions. She also acknowledged the continued guidance of SPJ teachers in helping students build the discipline and confidence needed for more demanding editorial work.
“Naniniwala ako na sa susunod na school year, mas magiging confident na kayo at mas mahusay na sa journalism dahil sa mga kaalaman at karanasang natututuhan ninyo ngayon. Napakaswerte ninyo dahil may mga stakeholders tulad ng Sentinel Times na handang tumulong at magbahagi ng kanilang expertise para mas mapaunlad pa ang inyong kakayahan bilang mga batang mamamahayag,” Tadong said.
The training was supported by QNHS Principal Hinanay, SPJ Coordinator Arlene A. Aliento, SPJ Consultant Tadong, teachers, and workshop facilitators who assisted in conducting the activities. Their coordination covered the morning lectures, simulated interviews, newsroom assignments, and editorial exercises organized for the SPJ students.
The October 24 program concluded with the completion of the newsroom assignments and recognition of the resource speakers and SPJ students. Across five fictional community water scenarios, the 30 groups carried out reporting exercises involving source interviews, evidence assessment, news writing, and editorial preparation.
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