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Student expression shouldn’t be foreign to journalists

Posted by on Dec 18, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Student expression shouldn’t be foreign to journalists

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Not My King Signs and chants of Abolish Monarchy filled the Westminster area In London, England May 2, 2023. Even in democratic countries, some protestors could face penalties even for a peaceful protest. Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona for Unsplash.com

To appreciate our freedom of speech and freedom of expression, travel abroad. Unfortunately, there are those in this country who think freedoms of expression need to be controlled, especially when they are extolled by students.

by Stan Zoller, MJE

Imagine having to leave your homeland to express yourself.

The mere thought should make you appreciate the fundamental freedoms available to people, let alone journalists, in the United States. Unfortunately, however, there are those who think freedoms of expression need to be controlled, especially when they are extolled by students.

The rights of student journalists play a role far greater than reporting news, sports, voicing opinions or reviewing movies.

Student media is community journalism and the stepping stone for civic engagement. It’s why New Voices laws are more important than ever before.  Student journalists provide the first steps for civic engagement through their coverage of their community – their school where students learn about the First Amendment, learn about the importance of democracy and learn why it’s so important.

What’s needed is a greater understanding why it’s so essential to let students practice and appreciate what they learn.

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Students win money, school board rejects it; Issues create story planning activity

Posted by on Dec 14, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Students win money, school board rejects it; Issues create story planning activity

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by John Bowen, MJE

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Knowing what New Voices means helps students grow louder in their fight for rights

Posted by on Dec 5, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Knowing what New Voices means helps students grow louder in their fight for rights

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by Tom McHale

We’ve Passed New Voices, Now What?
New Jersey passed student rights legislation in 2021, but only some teachers, administrators and students know the law’s protections. What can all advisers do to ensure student journalists know their rights and how to use them?

Busch Student Center’s Multipurpose Room A buzzed with the chatter of approximately 300 student journalists and advisers. They awaited the start of a Keynote panel that would kick off the Garden State Scholastic Press Association’s Fall Conference at Rutgers University. The 2022 conference was our first in-person since the pandemic and the first since New Voices passed in New Jersey in December 2021.

Moderator Bonnie Blackman took the mic and, after welcoming everyone, asked one question: “How many of you know what New Voices is?” 

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Making time for Media Literacy

Posted by on Nov 18, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Making time for Media Literacy

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by Diana Day

  • Students need help now to navigate and make sense of the complicated media landscape. Photo by Jorge Franganillo on Unsplash

It’s clear from recent conversations with students this approach doesn’t serve them; they need help now to navigate and make sense of our complicated media landscape

I have found some outstanding resources. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but is rather a roundup of tools on my radar right now:

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Expanding upon the JEA curriculum to teach the SPJ Code of Ethics

Posted by on Nov 3, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Expanding upon the JEA curriculum to teach the SPJ Code of Ethics

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by Kirsten Gilliland

This school year, I am teaching intro classes for the first time, including photo/digital journalism and Journalism 1-2. The past four years I’ve only taught production classes (broadcasting, newspaper, yearbook) and intro to photography/intermediate photography.

Like many journalism teachers, I turned to the curriculum section of the JEA website for guidance. After looking at my lesson options and sample curriculum maps, I created my own course layouts with ethics towards the beginning. 

For photo/digital journalism specifically, I taught the “Legal and ethical considerations in photojournalism” lesson. Students at my new school are at a lower level academically than they were at my last school.

‘So, instead of providing the recommended 10 minutes to read the SPJ code of ethics individually, I decided we’d do it in chunks as a class to make sure everyone received the content and understood—they could ask questions and I could summarize/provide examples.  

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Self-care mitigates the stress of advising and advocating

Posted by on Oct 28, 2023 in Blog | Comments Off on Self-care mitigates the stress of advising and advocating

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by Mark Dzula

Working as an adviser can be wonderful and rewarding, especially as you work with young journalists as they take risks, realize their potential and dig into work in the field. It can be gratifying to watch a team coalesce, support each other and develop a sense of efficacy.

At the same time, our work can also be isolating, overwhelming and stressful—especially as we advocate for students’ rights and navigate conflicts with stakeholders.

That’s also part of the gratifying work, though, right? Knowing that your work as an adviser has impact in and out of the newsroom lends one a sense of professional purpose. At the same time, acting as an adviser and advocating for young people can be emotionally taxing and at times overwhelming, especially if you come into conflict with stakeholders. This blog will discuss some possible stressors and also offer suggestions for self-care and self-preservation that may help stem fatigue and protect against burnout.

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