West Visayas State University (WVSU) underscored the role of student journalists as storytellers for and with communities during the forum “From Campus to Communities: Student Journalism for the People,” held Jan. 24, 2026, at the D.N.D. Co-Working Space in Iloilo City.
Organized by The Mediator, the official student publication of the WVSU College of Communication (COC), in partnership with Panay Times and with support from PAMCO and the COC Student Council, the forum aimed to equip campus journalists with practical skills in emerging storytelling forms, promote ethical community-based reporting, and foster collaboration among student publications in Iloilo City.
Katrina Isabel Gadong, PAMCO Information Officer, opened the program and welcomed the participants as she highlighted journalism as a form of public service that calls for accuracy, responsibility, and respect for community narratives.
Renowned Filipino journalists Atom Araullo and Voltaire Tupaz served as resource speakers, sharing insights on visual storytelling and community journalism. Araullo emphasized the role of visual narratives in shaping public understanding and empathy, while Tupaz underscored the importance of responsible reporting that prioritizes community voices, ethical considerations, and meaningful impact.
The program also featured Jun Bandaryel, managing editor of CoverStory PH and owner of Panay Times, who discussed the role of digital magazines in providing platforms for young journalists and amplifying underrepresented stories. He also introduced plans for a localized Panay-based digital magazine that will be open to student and community contributors.
The forum gathered campus journalists from WVSU student publications, along with participants from Iloilo Science and Technology University and the University of the Philippines Visayas, encouraging knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and network-building among student journalists in the region.
Through interactive discussions and open forums, participants gained practical insights into visual reporting, ethical journalism, and community-based storytelling, reinforcing the role of campus journalism in informing, engaging, and empowering communities.
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