UST's The Flame is first Asian publication to land SPJ in-depth category award
University of Santo Tomas' (UST) "The Flame" has become the first Asia-based campus publication to win in the 2024 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Awards' in-depth reporting category for large universities at the regional level.
According to a statement on Thursday, the publication made history as it landed the top spot on SPJ's Region 11 with an article penned by editor-in-chief Zoe Airabelle Aguinaldo, associate editor Joss Gabriel Oliveros, Jianzen Deananeas and Ma. Alyanna Selda.
The article, entitled, "From streets to sheets: Motorcycle Drivers Ride on Sex Work as they Traverse Hard Times' narrated the stories of motorcycle taxi drivers who offer sexual services to their passengers to augment their financial needs.
The article was selected against two other finalists from Stanford University.
"This award will inspire us to continue doing independent journalism and to pursue endeavors that will help us improve our journalistic skills. We are grateful for this recognition and we are happy to bring honor to UST in the global stage… This unprecedented feat was made possible by our experiences and training as Thomasian campus journalists," said Aguinaldo.
With their win, "The Flame" is the sole non-US-based student publication to win the award and land the highest accolade within their category in this year's awards.
"From streets to sheets: Motorcycle drivers ride on sex work as they traverse hard times' was also awarded best in-depth report at the 10th UST National Campus Journalism Awards (UNCJA).
The Flame, established in 1964, is the official student publication of UST's Faculty of Arts and Letters.
Meanwhile, SPJ is a broad-based journalism organization founded in 1909 to encourage the practice and high standards of ethical behavior in journalism.
Entries at the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Mark of Excellence Awards intended to honor the 'best in student journalism' across 12 regions, including the Philippines in SPJ's Region 11. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News
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