SU Alumni, CMC, and KMC Launch Social Media Principles

Alumni Update February –9-15, 2026

The Silliman Alumni Association, Inc. (SAAI), in collaboration with the Silliman University (SU) College of Mass Communication (SU CMC) and the Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators (KMC), launched the Social Media Principles for the Silliman community to promote responsible and meaningful digital engagement last February 7, 2026, at the Bamboo Pavilion, Dumaguete City. This activity served as the SU MassCom Week’s culmination in celebration of the College’s Diamond Jubilee, with the theme 60 Years of Storytelling.The SAAI Board of Trustees, headed by SAAI President Adlai J. Amor, approved the document on January 17, 2026, following consultations with the SU CMC, and positioned it as a “living set of principles that evolves alongside the social media landscape.”

Amor highlighted both the power and risks of digital platforms, attributing their role in storytelling and connection while cautioning against the ease of harassment and abuse due to the anonymity. He said, “We have seen it do good – like enabling grandparents to see their grandchildren regularly and reconnecting with old friends. Yet, we have also experienced its bad sides – manipulating people to favor one politician over another, and the online abuse of women, children, and other marginalized communities.” He added that he believes Silliman is among the few universities in the country that have adopted formal guidelines on the use of social media, alongside institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University, UP Diliman, De La Salle University, the University of Santo Tomas, Mapua University, and San Beda University.

The Social Media Principles affirm media’s new role in telling stories, exposing corruption, strengthening democracy, and promoting public good, while cautioning against misinformation, racism, and disinformation. This is a call for all Sillimanians to engage respectfully online, uphold truth, avoid harassment and libel, practice transparency, respect copyright, and act as responsible fact-checkers. The Silliman community (alumni, faculty, staff, and students) is enjoined to support the Social Media Principles by digitally affixing their signature through the SAAI website. The collaboration between the alumni and the academic community reinforces the SU College of Mass Communication’s six decades of commitment and dedication to ethical storytelling and the responsible practice of media.

(With reports from Luke Timothy Burbano; Photo by Jasper Miranda for SU KMC)