Low Blow

When I was introduced to the world of journalism at the young age of 9; I was intrigued so much to the point that I often spent countless nights reading, learning, writing, and revising articles whenever I participated in competitions. When I learned that the one event I look forward to every year, aside from my birthday, was cancelled, it really took a toll on my love for the sport. This resulted in me not touching a pen to write an article for 3 whole years. Now that the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) has made its comeback, I was ecstatic. Not until I saw the changes that is.

Stricter guidelines call for harder efforts. You would think that after all these years, journalists would be welcomed back with open arms. However, that is not the case because we were met with a familiar yet unfamiliar competition. which made the once enjoyable experience a complete bloodbath. New guidelines expressed that less people can now join and win the competition. Not only does this limit learners to experience the spirit of journalism but also hinder current journalists' said spirit.

Additionally, trainings are less accessible now. The guidelines demand so much from its participants yet gives us little to no time to train since we cannot train during school hours and in the event that institutions decide to train on weekends, various procedures and approvals are needed from the division. I've witnessed first hand our advisers rattle through so much just to provide us the proper circumstances to train. 

Although planners have the safety of participants in mind, there is no denying that the changes could very much cost campus journalists various opportunities and hinder their drive from journalism.

In conclusion, with the suddenness of this all, it is a rather low blow to the young journalists. Considering that this is what campus journalists have to face despite being stripped of opportunities by the pandemic itself.