Why student journalism important?
Several authors and journalism educators agree that student journalism is an essential training tool for future journalists. However, it is important to note that while student news outlets are journalism workshops, they deliver real facts and opinions that affect their community.
Despite the differences in size and impact, the editors and reporters of a student news outlet have the same responsibilities with their sources and audience than those working for corporate news media. Thus, student news outlets should also be recognized as a form of media and not only as a training vehicle.
Examples in this blog show the importance of student news outlets in a university and local community and the impact their information can have at a national and even international level.
Several student news outlets throughout time have proven that they are able to deliver hard and exciting news and what they publish can change the course of their university or community. Therefore, student journalists deserve the same respect for their work and the same protection against censorship than other journalists.
No matter how damaging a fact error or a “lack of judgment” can result, examples of censorship cases presented in this blog can lead to the conclusion that censoring the content of a student news outlet or punishing the journalists for it is not the solution for these mistakes.
People who find the content of a student news outlet inappropriate, offensive or damaging have the right to offer a counterpart or argument to that content, but shutting down one part of the argument or one perspective is something unacceptable in any university or country that praises freedom of speech and the pursuit of knowledge.
The most valuable aspect of student journalism is that it can offer an alternative perspective and agenda than other news media and can give students a sense of empowerment and social responsibility.
By creating their own news outlets, students stop being passive listeners in a classroom to active speakers that apply in their work the knowledge obtained from books and teachers but most importantly form their own experiences and mistakes.
Author’s note: This information was taken from my thesis on student journalism. If you want a copy, send me a request via e-mail or post a comment. You can see the references in this page.
