The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) partnered with the Philippine Information Agency-Region XI to strengthen Media Information Literacy among the youth by hosting campus journalists from various schools in Davao City to the PIA Campus Tour, held in the UP Mindanao CARIM Building on January 30, 2026.
The Tour aimed to supply student journalists with the capability to evaluate information for credibility, operate digital platforms responsibly, uphold ethical standards in reporting, and emphasize their vital role as communicators in society. UPMin’s Department of Humanities, Communication Arts program provided support through its department chairperson, Assoc. Prof. Dennis Sumaylo, Asst. Prof. Merle Dawn Comidoy, Instructor Stephanie Camille Hayag, and Mr. Adrian Arendon.
The Tour was attended by 70 student journalists from public and private institutions in Davao City, namely City College of Davao, Davao Central College, Holy Child College of Davao, St. Peter’s College of Toril, University of Southern Mindanao, and UP Mindanao.
In his opening message, PIA Regional Director Rene Carbayas underscored the importance of campus journalists as potent public influencers of a more informed and empowered citizenry of tomorrow. Carbayas also highlighted the immense potential of future journalists and encouraged them to embrace the digital frontier as a vast field of innovation.
“Be the rigorous fact-checkers and responsible voices who champion evidence-based truth. Be the innovators who can skillfully navigate multi-platform communication to ensure that every Filipino family is empowered with accurate, relevant, and timely information—thereby building our national information highway,” he said.
UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, in her welcome remarks, endeavoured to impress her advice to the student participants.
“At the heart of a democratic society is freedom of speech,” she said. “But freedom, like a powerful tool, must be handled with care. Words can illuminate, but they can also mislead. Information can empower, but it can also cause harm when detached from truth and accountability. This is why ethics and integrity are not optional in journalism, they are essential. They remind us that credibility is built slowly, but lost quickly; that accuracy matters more than speed; and that every story carries real consequences for real people. In an age where information travels faster than reflection, your role as student journalists and communicators is more crucial than ever. You are not just storytellers, you are gatekeepers of trust. Your responsibility is not only to inform, but to inform fairly, truthfully, and with compassion.”
Throughout the campus tour, participants engaged in interactive discussions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions that deepened their understanding of the role of student journalists in shaping public opinion and combating false information. The activities provided them with practical tools and strategies to strengthen their capacity as communicators, ensuring that they are better prepared to contribute to the fight against false information and to promote truth in their communities.
Throughout the campus tour, participants engaged in interactive discussions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions that deepened their understanding of the role of student journalists in shaping public opinion and combating false information. The activities provided them with practical tools and strategies to strengthen their capacity as communicators, ensuring that they are better prepared to contribute to the fight against false information and to promote truth in their communities.
