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.
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