Meet Jayson Nathaniel Tan of Pangasinan State University – Urdaneta City Campus

Truth seekers. Truth speakers. Truth defenders.

Jayson Nathaniel Tan remains firm in defending the truth despite the ongoing media attacks in the country. 

He serves as the current Editor-in-Chief of The Technoscope Publication, the official student publication of Pangasinan State University – Urdaneta City Campus.

To get to know him better, Republicasia asked Jayson 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.

The Technoscope Publications is my first and official experience being inside the campus press. I am tasked to spearhead our regular print and online publications, but our wits did not let us limit to only doing the bare minimum for the student-body. Our projects expand from Webinars, Press conferences, and External Partnerships. Currently, I am finishing my degree program Bachelor of Arts in English Language. I am also a person whose interests developed through student and youth-led organizations. This experience honed my skills in communication.

Defining Moment

Tell me about that ‘defining moment’ that made you pursue journalism and continue to do so.

Information functions as the guiding light for progressive thinking. This has been the notion that I believe best describes the holistic effect of campus journalism on society. It has led me to think that the concept of informing while serving is a noble job. As I entered college, I’ve seen and experienced how deteriorating fake news was. I took the opportunity of turning this noble job into a shield of truth to combat disinformation. This was the turning point at which I decided to take part in peddling the truth. 

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?

Nowadays, it is difficult to determine what’s fact or not. This is due to the alarming spread of trolls that even the current administration tolerates. These trolls have become so rampant that they turned into an actual licensed media outlet, that is again, tolerated by the government. Without the freedom of press, democracy will fall. We must stand firm for our rights to know the truth. We should leverage in acquiring the necessary and fundamental principles of campus journalism to achieve the genuine national press freedom not just by law, but also penetrating through our minds.

Powerful Quote

Tell me about your mantra as a journalist. What message can you give to the aspiring journalist of the new generation?

All my experiences reshaped my perspective towards the press; that information is fast yet uncertain, and you must work faster and bolder. When you find yourself in a situation when no one’s steering the wheel, take the lead, be brave enough to uphold the truth, and as Maria Ressa once said, “Hold the line.”