Now more than ever

‘The Elements of Journalism’ for student media

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash.

“Now more than ever….”  It’s a song title, a well-known speech to military troops, a documentary about the band Chicago, and a phrase used by those who want to emphasize the importance of something happening RIGHT NOW.

And there’s certainly plenty going on in the world, in our country, and in our communities and schools RIGHT NOW that needs to be addressed, no matter your political inclination. So that phrase also means be aware, know what’s going on, think through the ramifications, check your sources.

Yes, it sounds a lot like what good journalists do every day – or should be doing. But there’s a catch. Because of technology, everyone can be a journalist – or thinks they can – and that’s where the problem begins. If they don’t have the training or, worse, are using their words to twist the truth and to persuade an audience, they’re not really journalists and are, in fact, making matters worse.

So how do we make sure today’s student journalists are heading in the right direction? Whether they become the next generation of Pulitzer Prize winners or savvy media consumers, they’re vital to our democracy. Now more than ever, we need them to appreciate what the media could and should be.

In this era of media mistrust and manipulation, it’s vital our students learn more than just the 5Ws and H or Associated Press style. It’s much more important to know the purpose of journalism in a democracy and ways it can fulfill that role.

The most recent edition of “The Elements of Journalism,” by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, is a good starting point for teachers and students and anyone who believes and hopes journalism is really the 4^th estate and can and should speak truth to power.

Photo by Egor Vikhrev on Unsplash (student sitting on a wall of newspapers).

Author Rosenstiel’s website summarizes the 10 elements all good journalism should have, the basis of all four editions of their book, and here they are with a student media perspective.

• Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth. Can you pull together the necessary facts and verify them? That may mean – and usually does – multiple sources. Find expert sources, and not just the first five clueless kids in the hall.
• Its first loyalty is to citizens. Who is your audience – other students, teachers, maybe parents and community members? You need to earn their trust. So, if an administrator or other source is trying to skew the facts, stop and think where your loyalty is…..
• Its essence is a discipline of verification. How do you know what you’re writing is true? Who else can verify what your original sources said? And there aren’t just two sides to most stories – there are many. How many? Keep asking.
• Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover. You’re not – or at least should not be – the PR piece for the administration. Your audience should be able to see the difference between the principal’s newsletter and your newspaper or news website. Also, question the implications of having the quarterback cover your football team or its president cover Student Council. Is there an ethical quandary here?
• It must serve as an independent monitor of power. Do you attend school board meetings? Have a regular “press conference” with your principal? If they see you as dedicated, responsible journalists, they’re more likely to talk to you honestly. (OK, not always….) But you should be able to question decisions and changes that affect many students. Find out why administrators or school boards made decisions about curriculum or hiring. What background do you need to explain their choices to your audience?
• It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise. Is it available to everyone? Can your audience respond (letters to the editor) or take part in a debate with others? Can they see a way each of them can make a difference?
• It must strive to keep the significant interesting and relevant. If anyone says, “Oh, school board meetings just handle boring stuff. Just money and things,” ask them if they agreed with some large amount spent to refurnish the main office – while the request for updated textbooks was denied…… Write articles to show students (and taxpayers) why they should care.
• It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional. True, you can’t cover everything, but are you covering what your audience needs and wants? It’s probably a pretty varied audience, so are you getting a diversity of topics and information, as much as possible, something for everyone? If staff members really are into video games, apps and technology, but not many in the overall school population care about that, keep in mind all kinds of interests.
• Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience. The book covers the value of “encouraging individuals [on the staff] to speak their minds…. Having a diverse newsroom does little if those different voices are not spoken or heard.” Student media staffs, too, benefit from a range of kinds of students, but each must feel confident in speaking up and giving honest insight into the topic being discussed. Each must believe he or she would be heard.
• Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news. They need to be able to take the news and use it in their world. But journalists need to deliver that information in the best way to help those in their audience.

Now more than ever, journalists at all media outlets – whether the New York Times or the Green High School Guardian – must remember we are telling the truth, uncovering information our audience needs and making a difference in our world.