Experiences of Student Journalists During the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the human beings in the community. Student journalists are the ones who endured many challenges in their publication work. They acquired experiences that develop their capacity to cope from difficult situations. Hence, this study ascertained the experiences of student journalists during the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualitative-phenomenological approach of research design was employed using a researcher-made written interview form administered through messenger and email among five (5) purposively selected editors-in-chief from different universities and state colleges. The environmental, technological, and psychological experiences of the student journalists were revealed. There were six (6) meaningful categories taken from data transcripts. Student journalists were able to (1) manifest positive outlook in life and (2) render democratic community empowerment services as their environment-related experiences. Besides, their media technology-related experiences included (3) adjust to unprecedented working transition and (4) encounter misinformation and disinformation. Finally, they acquired psychology-related experiences such as (5) confront social communication disparity and (6) endure from self-efficacy enervation. Since student journalists facing many challenges, they still show their willingness to serve the school and the community during hard times. Thus, student journalists’ roles and responsibilities are to deliver factual information and help the people in the society