The Oracle gains insights on legal, ethical aspects of journalism in digital age

Report by Ellyza Jane Gutierrez | Photos by Julyanna Lyde Denise Bautista

Campus journalists and communication students at Tarlac State University (TSU) convened for a seminar focused on Privacy, Speech, and the Law held at the Alumni Center, Lucinda Extension Campus last Friday, March 28, 2025.

Featuring two key technical sessions led by experienced professionals in journalism and law, the seminar aimed to provide aspiring journalists a comprehensive understanding of the legal and ethical framework governing the profession, particularly in the digital age.

Ms. Trixie Joy B. Manalili, current Information Officer Center Manager at the Philippine Information Agency Tarlac and former News Editor of The Oracle, opened the sessions by presenting the challenges of seeking and verifying the truth in the social media era.

Moreover, she informed the attendees about the increasing need for ethical conduct in the evolving media landscape, reminding the campus journalists of their responsibility to the truth and the potential ramifications of their reporting.

"We must be responsible. Yes, we are free to write about something, but we must also be aware of the implications ng mga actions natin," she emphasized.

The second technical session, led by Atty. Michael Joseph A. Prellejera, Attorney III at the Legal Division Unit of the Tarlac City Schools Division, looked into the legal considerations surrounding online content, drawing the line between free expression and libel.

His presentation provided a detailed overview of libel, specifically focusing on libel committed through writing and other similar means, and clearly outlined the essential elements that constitute this offense.

Furthermore, Assoc. Prof. Jazzel Llaneli M. Manabat, Director of the TSU Office of Public Affairs and Adviser of The Oracle, preceded the lectures with a special message where she highlighted the timeliness and importance of such a seminar, given the pervasive influence of social media.

"With the democratic use of social media nowadays, kailangan talaga nating maging well-versed pagdating sa Privacy Law, online libel, and libel laws in general [...] we need this continuous learning about responsible journalism and media-related laws," she stressed.

The seminar was a collaborative effort between the TSU Student Publication Unit, the TSU School of Law, and the Marc Andrei Marcos Legal Aid Center (MAMLAC), encouraging responsible and legally grounded journalism.

Through this opportunity, The Oracle, the official student publication of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, also actively participated in a productive discourse during the Q&A session, allowing them to gain valuable insights for navigating the modern media landscape with greater legal and ethical awareness.