Student Journalism's Global Role

There is one part of me that wonders if a student journalist should have any kind of global role at all. Although, another part says the global role of a student journalist can be developed over time. Despite this, I do feel that the emphasis for student journalists needs to be on proper training. A student who cannot write in proper English and on grade level needs to first work on basic writing skills before attempting to consider what their role will be. As I have said before, the bottom line is scholastic journalism advisers need to teach students to be objective, responsible, and ethical when researching stories, interviewing,  writing for print and online publications, and even when blogging.

Student journalists need to know the story is not about them. They are not celebrities. If they are worried about their notoriety and even making tons of money when they become a professional then they are probably in the wrong field. They need to want to find the story. They need to want to deliver it to the audience accurately. Ultimately, they need to want to work hard and hopefully they will become high level thinkers who can make an impact.

To Blog or not to Blog

Let me first start by saying that although I am blogging right now, I do not consider myself a blogger. I am blogging because it is part of my responsibilities as a student in a graduate school journalism class. As a former reporter turned teacher I don't really like blogging. To me, it does not feel like reporting. It feels like a strange version of an opinion/column writing, which does not necessarily look to persuade.

However, if I was teaching students what to do and what not to do when blogging, I would start with the Blogger 's Code of Ethics presented by cyberjournalist.net. It recommends being honest and fair, minimizing harm, and being accountable. Ultimately, students who are acting as journalists and blogging should be following the same basic principles and foundations of traditional journalists. Unfortunately, blogging and social media networking have no boundaries and the audience does not expect accuracy and objectivity. Let's face it..it's a free-for-all. Anybody can blog. Not anyone can be a professional journalist. You don't need any training or a job to be a blogger and you don't have to answer to anyone. As a journalist you need to follow procedures, answer to leaders, and maintain professionalism. There are really no rules for blogging. As I am writing now I want to follow aforementioned code of ethics, but I don't have to. Personally, I hope blogging and social media never replaces true reporting. If it does, our world will never come close to knowing the truth. Some may argue that we don't know it now, but I think it will only get worse when the line between blogging and reporting becomes even blurrier.

Investigating

Of course all reporting should include investigation. A reporter is actually always investigating even in his/her spare time. You can argue that most citizens are doing the same. As a society, we are curious and we want to find out the truth or at least an acceptable version of it. For example, most of us want to know what will happen with the weather. Will it rain? Will it snow? Will it be windy? Will it be hot? These are all investigative questions and we want the answers.

The problem with investigative reporting and scholastic media is who the students are watching as role models. There are some wonderful investigative reporters in this world, but too many times the marketing of the story gets in the way. Headlines and revealing photographs which sell papers, must-see stories on television newscasts which make us watch, and exclusive radio interviews which make us want to listen seem to cloud the nature of investigative reporting. Unfortunately, students do need to understand that professional journalism is first a business which needs to make money. Reporters could start out with a great investigative piece, but when it reaches the business side of a media outlet things can change. The good news is that students can practice true and accurate investigative journalism on the scholastic level without worrying about the business side of it. However, advisers need to focus on the purity of finding the story which may need to be uncovered and most importantly getting it right.

Student Media's Leadership Roles

Whether they know it or not, student journalists are leaders in the community. They can inform, entertain, represent other voices, give their opinion about what is happening in their world, and sometimes even change policy. Student journalists need to know this and they need to let everyone know including administrators, faculty and staff, parents, other students, and members of the community outside of the school. This can be done in two ways.

1. You can tell everyone about your role and responsibility as journalists after a controversial story is published and you are fielding complaints and questions.

2. You can get the word out at the start of every school year about the role and responsibility of a student journalist and the importance of being a public forum before an issue is published or even before a website is updated. You also need to foster positive relationships with the school community on a daily basis building readership and support from your audience.

Now, the hard part is getting everyone to believe and support you. There will be many obstacles, questions, and potential arguments. However, it will be worth it.