Bagwis, the official student publication of MSU-GSC, sees far and wide. On its 45th year anniversary, it shall continue soaring with wings that catch the winds of truth, crying out loud and clear for what it witnesses with its eagle eyes.
June 1 marks the 45th anniversary of Bagwis, MSU-GSC's official student publication. 45 years of student journalism, persisting through various university-wide and national affairs, consistently delivering the black-and-white truth in every publication.
Entering Journalism and to enter Bagwis is akin to signing a waiver: the reality of being red-tagged and wrapped head to toe with red tape comes with the territory of journalism, as every word and photo published feels like sticks and stones to those irked and gravely aggrieved by the angle, the word choices, the progression of their stories, or simply for having been cast into the scrutinizing gaze of the student body and all that has the access to.
In order to report and write the truth, one must consider all sides, and while ‘truth’ can be presented unadulterated, even the act of choosing to tell the tale already means taking a side: the side of the students, of the people, of the recipients of this act of service.
There is, however, and always, a catch in this pursuit of Bagwis, and of any other student publication and journalist under the heat of those with power akin to the sun. This price is the fact that neutrality is ideal for those preferring silence as they mistake it for peace, for those who wish to come out of conflict with their hides unscathed.
The price Bagwis has to pay with everything it puts out is dancing on the danger of being attached with red tags. All because a student publication that covers updates regarding campus affairs, ranging from news of building projects, the consistently anticipated yearly university intramurals, licensure exam passers, and recently, major university system sports events, in its effort to aid in the national social awareness of university constituents, dared to unfurl its wings and to sharpen its vision.
On the contrary, justified reporting and criticism and government-toppling, authority-defying conspiracies, are one and the same for the resentful subjects of scrutiny. Their natural habitats can be commonly found when one simply looks up: they are those sitting atop positions of administrative power too far away and with their chins turned up too high to hear the ensemble of voices that speak below them. Furthermore, one of their common activities includes being too preoccupied with lashing out at criticism being directed towards them, rather than turning the other way in order to pay attention to the reasons for which they are being criticized for.
Still, for the 45 years (and counting) spent thus far soaring, we are seen, we are heard. Bagwis' reach has now spread over a significant amount of audiences, and it still rises as the days go by.
This means that the sacrifice of having to put the names of student journalists out in the open while knowing full well that more red tags and red tape are going to be slapped upon them is met with a reward. Despite the latter and the former being one of the ‘tamest’ fates that journalists meet, the bittersweet reward is having been able to serve the purpose of journalism, and being able to carry out the duty of being a journalist.
Bagwis will continue soaring, scouring, and sighting as any journalist is wont to do for stories of truth. Bagwis, the official student publication of MSU-GSC, shall count more years, crying out nothing but veritas et virtus, truth and virtue, gathered with its eagle eyes.
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