Union of Journalists of the Philippines UP

The Union of Journalists of the Philippines - University of the Philippines (UJP-UP) is the student and research arm of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), one of the leading media guilds in Asia. Based in the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, it is an academic political union of students committed to advancing pro-masses and pro-student ideals and promoting advocacy journalism and media ethics.

History

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The name Union of Journalists of the Philippines was originally used by the NUJP but by the time it decided to register itself as a formal organization, having several chapters in the country, it decided to add "National" and adapt the name National Union of Journalists of the Philippines instead. Until now, the NUJP uses the UJP initials in its logo.

After the terrible fate of the media and the Filipino people during Ferdinand Marcos's Martial Law and with the restoration of democracy in 1986, several Filipino media practitioners founded the NUJP to promote media professionalism and unionism. NUJP recognized that promoting a professional and unified media should start where it matters – students who are to be future media practitioners. In 1988, UJP was formed as its student arm.

Preamble

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"United in the belief that press freedom and advocacy journalism are vital in mass communication as means in upgrading skills in the profession, promoting people's rights and welfare, taking a conscious stand and form of action on issues, and actively partaking in the struggle for societal change..."

Activities

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The union is active in issues inside and outside the university. Combining academics and play, UJP supplements education provided inside the walls of the classroom.

SYMPOSIA

Writing on the Wall Street (Feb. 17, 2009) - A forum on the media coverage of the global financial crisis. Speakers from IBON Foundation, Philippine Daily Inquirer, CMFR and NUJP.

How to Catch a Big Fish (Sept. 24, 2008) - Forum on investigative journalism in the Philippines. Award-winning investigative journalists Glenda Gloria, Lala Rimando, Carmela Fonbuena (UJP alumni), Malou Mangahas and Bobby Tuazon of alternative online newsmagazine Bulatlat spoke about their experiences and gave tips to journalism and other mass communication students.

Crushing the Pen: Media Repression Then and Now (Feb. 19, 2008) - Forum on media repression during the Marcos and Arroyo administrations. In coordination with the College of Mass Communication Office of Research and Publication.

Gagging the Press - on media killings

Killing Neutrality (Sept. 27, 2007) - Advocacies of campus publications. Speakers were College Editors' Guild of the Philippines President Jose Cosido, (UP) Philippine Collegian editor-in-chief Jerrie Abella and (Ateneo) Matanglawin editor-in-chief Mark Benedict Lim.

Huling Hala Bira by Howie Severino (Sept. 4, 2007) - As part of UP's Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE), UJP invited Howie Severino to talk about his award-winning I-Witness documentary "Huling Hala Bira" a film about the impending demolition of a railroad-side community.

How Safe Are We? (Aug. 24, 2007) - A forum on the Human Security Act or the Anti-Terrorism Act of the Philippines. Speakers were Prof. Danny Arao of the UP-CMC Journalism Department, Joe Torress of NUJP and Jerrie Abella. Foreign Ownership of the Philippine Media (2005)

Understanding the Oakwood Mutiny - ACLE with guest speakers from Bayan Muna. It was awarded the KaMalayan Best ACLE by the UP Diliman University Student Council.

BASIC MASSES EXPOSURE (BMEx)

KARTUNISTANG PINOY, KARTUNISTANG MULAT

An editorial cartoon making contest is held every year during the union's anniversary month.

TAMBULI

The official monthly newsletter.

TINTA

The official literary folio.

Affiliations

National Union of Journalists of the Philippines

Solidaridad - alliance of student publications in UP Diliman

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Rise As One Against Right of Reply 2009 of which the union's secretary was the spokesperson

Academic Core Alliance - Vice Chair organization 2010-2011

UPD Freshie Committee Publication Committee 2010

Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP)

Notable Alumni

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Among the union's alumni are student leaders, editors-in-chief of the Philippine Collegian and the Tinig ng Plaridel, media workers in national broadcast networks, national newspapers and alternative and online news institutions.

Danilo Arao - UP College of Mass Communication college secretary 2010-2011

Larissa Mae Suarez - Philippine Collegian Editor-in-Chief 2008-2009 Secretary-General, UP Solidaridad (UP Systemwide Alliance of Campus Publications and Writers' Organizations)

Pauline Gidget Estella - Philippine Collegian Editor-in-Chief 2010-2011 & National Deputy Secretary General of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)

Hon Sophia Balod - Tining ng Plaridel Editor-in-Chief 2009-2010

Cielo Marjorie Gono - GMA President's Medal Awardee 2010 and Betty Go Belmonte Awardee for Academic Excellence 2009

Edmalynne Remillano - College of Mass Communication Student Council Journalism Representative

Jemima Grace Garcia - UPD University Student Council Chairperson 2011-2012

Notable Resident Members

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Pauline Gidget Estella - Philippine Collegian Editor-in-Chief 2010-2011

Marc Jayson Cayabyab - Tining ng Plaridel Associate Editor 2011-2012

Mely Ann Emerie Cristobal - College of Mass Communication Student Council Secretary 2011-2012