Imagine a fire alarm going off in a crowded building. Instead of putting out the fire, authorities accuse the person who sounded the alarm of starting it. This is exactly what red-tagging does to journalists—it punishes those who expose injustices rather than addressing the issues they uncover.
Red-tagging—the baseless labeling of individuals or groups as communist rebels or sympathizers—has become a tool to silence dissent. Student journalists, who bravely investigate and report the truth, are often its primary targets. By branding these young writers as threats, those in power create an atmosphere of fear, discouraging critical journalism and stifling free speech in academic institutions.
The consequences are dire. Harassment, threats, and even surveillance have forced many student journalists to self-censor or abandon their work altogether. This not only undermines the role of the student press but also weakens democratic discourse on campus. A silenced student body leads to an uninformed society—one that is easier to control.
Red-tagging directly contradicts the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which guarantees press freedom and protects student journalists from repression. Unfortunately, the law is often ignored, allowing intimidation tactics to flourish within educational institutions. Instead of fostering independent thought, some schools become breeding grounds for fear and submission.
To counteract this, schools must actively protect their student journalists by providing legal support and denouncing red-tagging. Student publications must stand united, refusing to be intimidated. National and international press organizations must also amplify these concerns, ensuring that campus journalists are not left to fight alone.
The battle against red-tagging is a fight for truth, justice, and the future of democracy. If young journalists are silenced today, who will hold power accountable tomorrow? Now more than ever, we must stand firm in defending the Fourth Estate, for it is only through a free press that truth prevails and democracy endures.