Student Journalists Rally in Davao to Demand Restoration of Campus Paper Primum
On Friday, March 20, 2026, a coalition of student journalists, media practitioners, and press freedom advocates gathered at Freedom Park along Roxas Avenue in Davao City for a Picket and Candlelighting Protest. The event, organized by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines–Davao, aimed to condemn what participants described as censorship and repression of student voices, particularly following the deactivation of Primum, the official school paper of the University of Mindanao.
Demands for Press Freedom and Policy Reforms
Student organizations, including Rise for Education-Matina, UMnians for Good Governance, and the National Union of Students of the Philippines–Davao, joined forces to demand the restoration of Primum's platform, enhanced protection for campus journalists, and stronger policies to safeguard press freedom. They emphasized that student publications serve as critical and independent voices within academic institutions, reflecting real conditions on campuses.
Catherine Discorson, chairperson of CEGP-Davao, highlighted the severity of the issue, stating on the guild's page that "at present, a total of 206 campus press freedom violations were recorded nationwide from 2023 to 2024. This clearly shows the intensifying attacks on the press; thus, the call for defending press freedom must be further amplified." She criticized the UM administration for avoiding accountability and urged collective action to hold institutions responsible.
Historical Context and Ongoing Violations
CEGP-Davao pointed out that student publications have faced a long history of attacks, with over a thousand violations against the campus press documented since 2010. Despite existing protections under the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, similar incidents continue to occur, underscoring the need for more robust enforcement and policy updates. Rise for Education-Matina reinforced this by noting that the campus press is not merely an organization but a vital reflection of university realities.
Origins of the Controversy
The controversy began on February 18, 2026, when Primum published a monologue discussing ego and performance in the context of public image and politics. This was followed by another article on February 25, 2026, which addressed political remarks linked to national figures. In response, the university administration intervened, citing the institution's "apolitical" stance and directing the editorial team to avoid politically inclined content. Subsequently, the Primum page was deactivated, prompting widespread solidarity from student groups.
Following the deactivation, the entire editorial board resigned, and the university announced it was accepting applications for vacant positions in Primum, though this post has since been deleted. The protest in Davao City marks a significant pushback against these actions, with participants vowing to continue advocating for press freedom and accountability in academic settings.
