Truth seekers. Truth speakers. Truth defenders.
Ian Capoquian believes that journalism should and will always be biased to the masses.
He serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of The Adamson Chronicle, the official student publication of Adamson University.
To get to know him better, Republicasia asked Ian a few questions about his journey as a student journalist fighting for press freedom in the country.
Behind the Persona
Tell me about yourself as a student journalist and your life outside of publication.
Serving the community as the editor-in-chief of my university’s student publication isn’t achieved without rolling up my sleeves. It demands a considerable amount of effort to function day and night, delivering news and current affairs to our stakeholders and a greater range of audience. As the head of all departments, I am in charge of supervising all processes inside the publication. It is under my wing to delegate tasks among the staff and translate the standing rules and bylaws of our constitution into tangible results. Over the course of eight challenging years, I have dedicated and continuously offered my service as a student journalist to become a beacon of truth.
Defining Moment
Tell me about that ‘defining moment’ that made you pursue journalism and continue to do so.
Unintentionally, this burning passion to serve the masses came from a discontentment during my 7th grade when I saw how bright and eloquent the journalists were in my junior high school. I knew I had to become one, too. I told myself that there will come a time when I will be part of their special section. My “one day” turned into “day one” after I transferred to another school, carrying with me a goal to become a student journalist. When I heard that they were hiring, I immediately grabbed the opportunity even though I only had a tiny piece of a clue to become a journalist.
Generation Voice
What do you think is the most pressing issue that affects press freedom in the country nowadays? What do you think are the significant roles of young journalists in advancing genuine national press freedom?
Misinformation is probably the most pressing issue of our country at this point in time. It is being systematically used, resulting in censorship and branching out to different negative implications that attack the journalists and endangering the truth of our society. As the keepers of genuine press freedom, we must strive to build a nation where people—old and young, Filipino or not, government officials or taxpayers—are not scared to execute checks and balances among each other because the truth prevails.
Powerful Quote
Tell me about your mantra as a journalist. What message can you give to the aspiring journalist of the new generation?
Equip your strongest quill and let the papers bleed with your courage and skills. Always strive to inform, inspire, and influence the people.
