Bulacan State University Intramurals: A Story of Assault, Media Restrictions
By Andrei Salalac
BULACAN, Philippines — The Intramurals event at Bulacan State University (BulSU) is a time for students to come together, celebrate, and engage in friendly competitions. It’s also a period for student journalists to capture the action and share it with the wider community. However, amidst the fanfare and athletic prowess, a controversial decision to restrict media access, allowing only the official publication, “Pacesetter,” to cover the indoor event, has stirred a passionate debate about media freedom, and transparency.
The BSU Intramurals, a cherished tradition for the university, were last held in 2020 before being put on hold due to the global pandemic. The resumption of this beloved sports event has brought students, faculty, and alumni together in a jubilant celebration of athleticism and school spirit. The opening ceremony was a dazzling spectacle, featuring athletes from various departments and colleges parading through the campus, their uniforms a burst of color, showcasing their team spirit and unbridled enthusiasm.
The various sports competitions, encompassing archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, dance sports, e-sports (MLBB), football, futsal, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, softball, table tennis, volleyball, swimming, taekwondo, and with special event Mr. and Ms. Intramurals, and hip-hop have provided a platform for students to showcase their sporting prowess, determination, and sportsmanship. The essence of teamwork and community has been rekindled as students from diverse backgrounds come together in friendly rivalry.
However, the controversy about some publications not allowed to cover some indoor activities has become an unexpected focal point of the event.
Sheila Natividad and Mark Gabriel Musi, both journalism students from Bulacan State University and staff writer from Pacesetter, shared their account of the incident. According to Sheila and Mark, at the start of the Intrams, Pacesetter, the university’s official publication, distributed press IDs to staff writers for coverage purposes. However, things took an unexpected turn during the opening ceremony.
Following the parade, staff writers headed to Valencia Hall, where the opening ceremony was scheduled to take place. There, they were informed that only Pacesetter, the official publication, was allowed to enter and cover the event.
At the main entrance of Valencia Hall, cadet officers and seniors stood guard, refusing entry to students, citing concerns about potential stampedes. While Sheila and Mark understood the safety precautions, they were taken aback by the treatment they received.
Sheila and Mark recounted that the cadet officers physically prevented them from entering. They claimed to be from Pacesetter but were pushed aside, which shocked both of them. The treatment of student publications by the cadet officers left much to be desired.
Furthermore, despite the assurance that “Pacesetter” could cover the event, the cadet officers allowed random students to enter. This inconsistency raised questions about the fairness of access. If student publications weren’t allowed to cover the event, vital information would go undocumented, leaving students and the wider community in the dark about the Intramurals’ proceedings.
They expressed their disappointment in the BulSU administration, highlighting the discrimination faced by student publications. While “Pacesetter” was occasionally granted access, the practice of asking, “Are you from Pacesetter?” seemed arbitrary and discriminatory to other student journalists.
The incident has sparked a debate about the rights and access of student journalists in covering university events. It raises questions about transparency, equal treatment, and the vital role that student publications play in informing the campus community. It remains to be seen if this controversy will lead to changes in how student journalists are treated and access to events like the Intramurals.
Despite the media access controversy, the spirit of the Intramurals remains unbroken. Athletes compete with unwavering determination and sportsmanship, and the stands are filled with enthusiastic cheers. The core values of unity and camaraderie continue to shine through.
Keywords: Bulacan State University, Intramurals, student journalists, Pacesetter, media freedom, BSU, athletes, sports, publications, journalism
