Category: NEWS

GENERAL SANTOS CITY —Law undergraduate James B. Lomocho provided campus journalists with guidance on their legal rights during the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) for School Year 2025–2026, equipping them with knowledge to safely navigate reporting challenges and potential intimidation.

During the DSPC, Lomocho outlined essential rights for student journalists, including the right to safety, the right to be heard, and the right to protect their personal well-being, he added that knowing these rights can help Campus Journalists (CJs) respond effectively in situations where they may feel pressured or unsafe.

“You have rights to protect your safety,” Lomocho said. “Your rights are your shield.”

He added that personal rights also cover areas such as privacy, consent, and ethical interactions. “Rights come with responsibility,” he stated, noting the importance of respecting the rights of others.

“Speak up when something is wrong,” he exclaimed, “everyone deserves to be understood.”

Lomocho also addressed questions from participants about potential intimidation or unfair treatment, explaining that awareness of legal protections helps student journalists manage challenging situations and seek appropriate support through school channels.

“You have the right to be safe.. so we have the Anti-bullying act,” he remarked.

The session concluded with Lomocho emphasizing the need for student journalists to maintain professional conduct while being aware of and safeguarding their personal rights.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Sixty-percent of campus journalists (CJs) reported experiencing some form of bullying, according to a survey conducted during the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) School Year 2025-2026, the results highlighted ongoing concerns about the well-being of student journalists, offering insights into how bullying affects their school life, performance, and confidence.

This was the result of the survey organized by DSPC Inquirer, the official online news site of the DSPC School Year 2025-2026 which intended to know the pulse of certain campus journalists on the above-mentioned issue.

Alexa Jean M. Momo a CJ from General Santos City National Secondary School of Arts and Trades (GSCNSSAT) shared that bullying had affected both her confidence and motivation. “As a student journalist, I sometimes feel judged for my work. There are moments when negative comments discourage me from writing, but I try to remind myself that my passion matters,” she said.

Another campus journalist, Ryan Jan O. Maureal from General Santos City SPED Integrated School (GSCSPEDIS) agreed, explaining that bullying often came in subtle forms, he stated that classmates sometimes questioned his skills or made remarks about his participation in journalism and for him, the experience emphasized the importance of awareness and empathy. “Students need to understand that words can affect a person deeply. When I see others struggling, it reminds me that support and kindness are necessary,” he shared.

In contrast, Pearl Shayne E. Bragado, a student journalist from Lagao National High School (LNHS) admitted that she initially ignored bullying, thinking it was harmless. “There were times when I didn’t know how to respond to teasing. The survey results made me realize that many of us go through the same thing,” she said, she also added that acknowledging the issue was important for creating safer learning environments.

Another student journalist Maureen C. Guino-o from General Santos City National High School (GSCNHS) said she had underestimated how bullying could impact mental and emotional well-being, she shared that witnessing other CJs struggle opened his eyes to the importance of addressing the problem early. “Bullying isn’t just about physical actions. It’s also about awareness and how we treat each other,” she noted.

The survey aimed to understand the experiences of campus journalists, particularly regarding peer treatment and emotional safety.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Student of law reawakened campus journalists (CJs) of their personal rights, emphasizing the importance of safety and self-awareness, in the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) School Year 2025–2026 held earlier.

During the press conference, James B. Lomocho discussed the basic rights, including the right to be safe, the right to be heard, and the right to protect one’s personal well-being, he also stated that student journalists often encounter situations where they may feel pressured or unsafe, and understanding their rights helps them respond responsibly and confidently.

“You have rights to protect your safety,” the law major exclaimed, “your rights are your shield.”

He also explained that personal rights extend beyond physical safety, noting that students must be aware of boundaries concerning privacy, consent, and ethical interactions. 

“Rights come with responsibility.” he declared, “to respect the rights of others.”

The law student further addressed questions from participants regarding situations where student reporters might face intimidation or unfair treatment, he clarified that knowing basic legal protections can help journalists manage such circumstances and seek proper school-based support channels when needed.

Moreover, the press conference ended with a call for student journalists to uphold integrity while standing firm in safeguarding their personal rights.