FEATURE

    An organization that has all the power to stand on its own exists. It is not governed by external forces. Though this is true, any group has the right to be part of other organizations of related fields-a linkage that will enhance various aspects of every members in the organization.

    This paper, TARGET, is now a proud member of the College Editor's Guild of the Philippines (CEGP). This organization is both patriotic and democratic. Patriotic in the sense that it aims to struggle against foreign domination and control in economy, politics, culture, and other areas of life, and it fights for freedom and liberty. Democratic for it upholds and defends the interests of the students. It unites and allies students, faculty, and non-teaching personnel. Hence, it is an organization for the advancement of campus press freedom, specifically calling for the reopening of closed student publications, establishment of student publications where there are none, and ending of all forms of campus repression.

    Furthermore, it is an alliance of college publications that is considered the biggest and oldest existing student organization-and the only one of its kind in Asia.

    The CEGP came about in two phases: the traditional (1931-1969) with  campus papers' effort to unite themselves and develop their craft for journalistic excellence; and the patriotic and democratic phase (1970-present) which showed its defense for press freedom and advancing the interest of the students and the Filipino people in general.

    The Guild has set it own objectives, responsibilities, and principles for the professionalization and independence of the campus press; to uphold the highest standards and ethics of journalism; to defend and advance campus press freedom and other student rights and welfare at all levels; to promote social consciousness among the campus journalists and the Filipino people in general; to defend and advance people's rights and welfare and actively participate in their struggle; to promote understanding and cooperation with organizations and individuals with similar objectiveness; and to support the members of the professional press in their struggle for genuine press freedom.

    However, the CEGP has formulated its urgent tasks for the benefit of its members. It works on mass campaigns and disseminates informations that are of interest to everybody. It participates actively in extending assistance to inactive, as well as non-member, publications and high school publications.

    Education is an additional task of the Guild. It conducts nationwide journalism seminars and trainings. It serves as the voice of the students and the people, supporting their propaganda work.

    In addition, the Guild also works on basic mass integration, alliance work, international work, and finance work.

    The CEGP is led by the National Executive Committee, headed by the National President and Vice-President for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who is elected by the National Congress. There are the provincial/regional executive committees, too, elected by their respective local congresses.

    Indeed, the CEGP organization strengthens the courage of every journalist to write what he wants. He can hit the target point-blank, and he can therefore call a spade a spade. Though this, the CEGP objectives will all be realized-a service that is pro-people and pro-life.