Student Journalism has long been one of the strongest voices for the youngest population of American’s. While student publications may not be taken as seriously as the New York Times by most adults, for many students it becomes their only way to get their ideas out into the world. Over the past four years, journalism, for students and professionals, has hit a crossroads. The words “fake news” are plastered across Twitter and thrown around during political debates. Distrust for American media has begun to spread like wildfire. However, it seems that the number one place where we can regain our trust with journalists across the globe is in American classrooms.
Where the truth is distorted
The call for student-led newspapers has been on the rise since attacks on the media have escalated. In fact, across the nation, many students say that what inspires them to write is the heated climate between readers and journalists. Students seeing distrust in their community have decided to combat this problem head on, and maybe even change their own perspective whenever it comes to modern journalism.
A study done by Education Week, based on a survey by the Journalism Education Association, shows that “47 percent of journalism educators said their students had ‘not very much’ trust in mass media.” While only 34 percent of students in schools where fewer than half of students are from low-income households believed the same thing. This distortion can most likely be attributed to the fact that student journalism is harder to come by in low income schools.
In 2011 The Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State University found that journalism classes were more readily available “in larger, wealthier schools with more white students.” Because of this low income students aren’t able to experience the journalism classes that could very easily allow them to have a better relationship with the American press.
How representation is distorted
As student journalism becomes less common in low income schools with higher populations of racial minorities, many students lack representation in what they’re seeing on the news. Former executive director of the Student Press Law Center and University of Florida media law professor Frank LoMonte explains, “There is a well-documented diversity problem in media, and people of color don’t generally see themselves. They don’t see themselves behind the news desk, but they also don’t see themselves in the stories.”
Representation has always been lacking in American media. With constant shortages of African-American and Latino journalists many have pondered why this has become a problem. But that’s where distortion hurts yet again. When the majority of resources for high school journalism are sent to majority white, high income schools, disenfranchised students don’t even get to dip their toes in the waters of journalism.
Allowing for students, no matter their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, to have access to some form of student journalism not only gives them a chance to try out the professions, but also the chance to see that the job is not set for just one type of person. With low income families trusting and participating in American media the least, the best way to tackle the problem would be at its roots.
Building Bridges
For many students, journalism is a way to feel as though their opinions have values. Whether it be about what is served for lunch in the cafeteria on Mondays, or the fact that districts allocate more money to high income schools than low income schools, student newspapers allow for teenagers to have an opinion on these matters.
But in the age of “fake news” the distortion between the American media and American people has only grown. With nearly half of low income journalism students having some form of distrust with the media, a clear line can be drawn between a lack of resources and representation.
Minority communities typically don’t see themselves represented in the journalism field, from high school to adulthood. While programs at affluent schools may be going strong, not enough focus has been shifted towards low income high schools.
Low income high schools are where the most distrust and disengagement can be found when it comes to journalism. And they are the very same schools where students don’t have an outlet to voice their opinions. By increasing funding and resources for student journalism in low income communities, students are finally given the chance to dip their toes in the waters of journalism. There is finally a chance for the truth to be reported where it’s needed most.
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