Most Recent Articles
Despite state legislation protecting student media, students face constraints, including required changes in content
by Stan Zoller, MJE
Imagine this scenario.
You’re at an airport when you are approached by a security guard who, after noticing your press credentials, staff T-shirt or other items that identifies you as a journalist, says, “You write propaganda, right?” And you are allowed to pass only after you agree.
Farfetched?
It may seem that way, but it’s sad reality because last month, Ben Watson, a news editor for Defense One, an Atlantic Media site, found himself the subject of an uncomfortable interview. He was held up at passport control in Dulles International Airport by a Customs and Border Protection officer, who repeatedly asked him, “You write propaganda, right?”
The chiding and abusive comments toward the media seem to be, sadly, more commonplace these days. And, sadly enough, student journalists are not immune to this kind of behavior.
Imagine if in addition to “admitting” you wrote propaganda, officials kept your media from being distributed.
Again, farfetched? Not really.
Just ask the staff of the Central Times, the student newspaper at Naperville (Illinois) Central High School.
Read MoreKirkwood stories make an impact
Observations lead to this ‘Making a Difference’ recognition
by Hillary DeVoss
Sometimes, student journalists write a story so impactful it captures the attention of an entire city.
That was certainly the case when Kirkwood Call student editors Thomas Birmingham, Logan Crews and Jack Rintoul acted on their observations, as well as those from other students at Kirkwood High School: the teaching staff at their school was overwhelmingly white, but that didn’t reflect the racial makeup of the student body.
Students of color were talking about this and how it negatively affected their education.
“We became curious about the hiring process to become a teacher at our school and how race relations in our city play into the diversity of the staff,” the editors remarked. So, under the tutelage of adviser Mitch Eden, they dove in.
The story sparked open conversation about the topic on their campus. It also grabbed the attention of St. Louis media.
A journalist at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote her own version of the story, using the Kirkwood Call’s story as a model after it had been recommended to her as well-researched investigative report.
One of the Call’s writers, Jack Rintoul, also talked to a journalist for St. Louis Public Radio and said that at one of their round-table discussions, they brought up “Diversity” as a good idea to pursue and acknowledged the staff’s hard work.
Months later, Kirkwood High School juniors wrote essays to the Human Rights Commission about race relations in their city. Conversations about this issue continue to take place in Kirkwood High School.
Read “Diversity” here.
For past Making a Difference coverage, go here.
Read MoreJournalistic responsibility goes hand-in-hand with news literacy
by John Bowen, MJE, Kent State University
Looking at Facebook over the weekend, I noticed two posts in particular. Both dealt with issues concerning science. Both raised questions involving news literacy and journalistic responsibility. Both received a good number of comments, from all viewpoints.
One, a meme, focused on listening to those with whom you disagree. That one was a simple statement, and the comments might foster additional story angles. Besides, it is good journalistic practice.
I had not heard of the other post’s focus before: that the Earth’s climate change is a natural result of changes in our solar orbit.
Naturally, I had to check it out.
Read MoreIs it time to review staff policies on covering whistleblowers, using anonymous sources?
by Susan McNulty, CJE The Stampede and The Hoofbeat adviser J.W. Mitchell High School, Trinity, Florida
On July 25, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talked by phone, and this call set off what is now an impeachment investigation into the U.S president by Congress.
An anonymous whistleblower filed a complaint with the intelligence inspector general Aug. 12, alleging Trump betrayed his oath of office.
Regardless of which side of the political aisle students stand, this historical moment calls for school journalism programs to revisit their staff manuals and review policies on coverage of whistleblowers and use of anonymous sources.
Read MoreShared anecdotes can help New Voices legislation
by Candace Bowen, MJE
Just how bad is the censorship that goes on in today’s student media? Could it be, as one administrator said – and perhaps more have thought –, advisers just making mountains out of mole hills?
And what about self-censorship? One principal said, with perfect confidence, “How can you blame us if students assume we won’t let them print a story when they don’t even try?”
Think about that for a minute or two . . . Isn’t that the whole problem?
Read More