Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.
EXPI.ANATORY NOTE
The advent of the internet and the different social media platforms transformed
the way information  is disseminated and consumed. And while mainstream  media -
or the traditional  and  established  broadcasting  or publishing  outlets  - remains,  the
popularity of platforms such as Facebook or Twitter as means to distribute information
and news is on the continued rise.
These new avenues grow more prominent as people look for easier and quicker
accessibility. And while having the ability to post and access  information at a click of
a button has undeniable benefits, it also allows for the proliferation of disparaging and
damaging false data and fake news -a problem that is quickly and steadily worsening.
Therefore, it is important that future Filipino professionals and leaders be taught
how to responsibly protect and exercise their right to freedom of expression. Providing
adequate training and knowledge to our students would likewise instill the importance
of truth, responsibility, and accountability in the creation of a more progressive, free,
and secure nation.
To adapt to the quickly changing social media landscape and the burgeoning
problem Of unchecked, misleading, and false information in different online and social
media platforms, this bill seeks to introduce basic journalism as a mandatory subject
in the senior high school to help promote a responsible and ethical social media.
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought to mobilize and guide our youth in
protecting  our  democracy  through  responsible,  constructive,  and  productive  social
journalism.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manfla
NINIITEENTH CON GRESS
First Regular Session
HOus:~B±u~rio.     6o2 1
Introduced by Representative Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr.
AN ACT IMPLHMENTING BASIC JOURNALSIM COURSE AS MANDATORY
SUBJECT IN THE SHNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, TO STRENGTHHN TIIE
JOURNALISM SKILLS 0F TIIE YOUTH AS A BASIC TOOL TO PRESERVH OUR
FREEDOM 0F EXPRESSION AS PART OF DEMOCRACY, AND PROMOTE
REspONslBLE AND ETHlcAL sOcIAL MEDIA FOR TIIn BETTERMnNT OF
OUR COUNTRY, UNDER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SRILLS
DEVELOPRENT AUTHORITY AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.
Be it enacted by the Senate and the  House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION  1.  Short Title.  This Act shall  be  known  as the  "Basic Joumalism Act of
2022w
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to protect the interest
of the youth as our future leader. The State also recognizes the importance of freedom
of information and freedom of expression as a tool to our democracy therefore guiding
our youth to express freely and responsibly and protecting them from exploitation of
information abuse and  misuse of the social media sites.  In this light,  the State  shall
provide  an  education  for the  youth  to  guide  them  and  promote  responsible  social
journalism and practice the freedom of expression ethically and responsibly
SECTION 3. -Free Educational Service. Education is a right not a privilege, it shall
be free of charge for our youth. Immediately upon passage of this Act, a fund will be
provided  for the  senior  high  school  students  to  study  Basic  Journalism  Course  in
TESDA or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
SECTION 4. -Accelerated Program for the Basic Journalism Course. The TESDA
shall   provide   a   technical   basic  journalism   program   based   on   the   professional
standards without a conflict with the existing journalism courses offered by the different
colleges that is being monitored by the Commission on Higher education. The senior
high school students will have the basic journalism course as a basic tool of education
now that we are on the information age.
The mandatory course will provide the students their knowledge for
(a) Prevention of Cyber crime law,


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(b) Ethical and professional social journalism
(c) Antieyber bullying awareness
(d) Promote self-social media regulation
(e) Posting of credible information to help and build a credible nation
(f) Anti-Fake News
SECTION    5.    Research    and    Development.    Communication    Research    and
Development  shall  be  pursued  and  priority  shall  be  given  to  the  development  of
effective,   appropriate,  and  efficient  communication  technologies  thru  responsible
journalism.   The   TESDA  shall   continue   in   developing   the   teaching   professional
standard and training joumalism programs as it varies on the demand of this education
in the information age.
SECTION 6. Manpower Complement. The TESDA shall strengthen its capability in
providing technical assistance to the Private Sector were practitioners and experts and
maintain   communication   and  joumalism   research   and   development  TESDA  will
provide   directions,   policies,   programs   and   standards   towards   quality   technical
education and skills development for the Basic Journalism Course
SECTION    7.    Monitoring    and    Evaluation.    The    TESDA   shall    monitor   the
implementation of Basic Joumalism as a technical course. The TESDA shall review
all  existing  program  and  technical  providers  after the  completion  of the  course  to
determine their effectiveness. The TESDA shall employ the services of independent
evaluators to assess the over-all impact of the Basic Journalism Course
SECTION 8. Report to Congress. The TESDA shall submit a detailed status report
of its programs and accomplishments every year without prejudice to its mandate
SECTION    9.    Appropriations.    Such    sums   as   may   be    necessary   for   the
implementation  of this Act  shall  be taken  from  any  available  appropriations  of the
TESDA  under  the  current  General  Appropriations  Act.  Thereafter,  the  succeeding
appropriations for its continued implementation shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The TESDA, DEPED, expert
course providers and  other stakeholders shall formulate the  Rules and  Regulations
within Ninety (90) days from the effectivity Of this Act.
SECTION  11. Separability clause.  If any provision or part hereof,  is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.




SECTION 12. Repealing clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
and  administrative  regulations  or  parts  thereof  inconsistent  herewith  are  hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,