Emma’s story Part 1 of 4 My original blog idea started as a simple little suggestion to encourage high school student journalists to cover school board meetings and educational topics in communities without commercial media – those rural and urban areas considered news deserts. But it’s grown much bigger than that. These will be the…

May 3 is World Press Freedom Day. A day to celebrate press freedom. On her Facebook post May 3, colleague Barb Hipsman Springer wrote, “as journalism goes, so goes democracy. Remember that freedoms carry responsibility for you, too.” Noble words and commitments. Such statements often receive forceful agreement. Cheers and applause. A raised fist. All…

Watchdog reporting can make a difference. When you think of watchdog reporting, chances are you’ll think of mainstream media – The Washington Post, New York Times, NPR, etc.  Don’t however, look past non-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing transparency in government. The BGA staff includes a number of outstanding and award-winning journalists who do more than…

Tereza is from the Czech Republic. Being somewhat unabashed, I quickly showed her the First Amendment printed on the back of the shirt. Her reaction? “That’s cool.” Imagine that, a young adult from a country with a history of political strife and dictatorships, thinks the First Amendment is cool. Moreso, she probably realized how important the five freedoms are…