Episode 36: Students Unmute Themselves: Part I

We’re at a time in our country when local newsrooms are being hollowed out by rapacious hedge funds and other corporate entities that have no interest in local journalism. Because of that, the work being done by student journalists — at universities, colleges and high schools — takes on even more importance. I mean, if a professional newspaper or broadcast entity can’t cover the local school board because they don’t have the person power, often the only newsroom left to do so is a student newsroom.

On Sunday, Feb. 20, we shine a light on their work because it’s Scholastic Journalism Week across the United States.

This year’s theme is "Amplifying Voices," and that’s what this podcast — along with two more released in the next few days — will do. The voices we’ll amplify are those of the Quill and Scroll Student Advisory Board.

In this episode, you’ll hear from four young journalists who are working to make their communities a better place — They are — Aleen Gul from McLean, Virginia; Kathleen Ortiz from Kingwood Park, Texas; Emma Diehl from Trinity, Florida; and Kate Farr from Antwerp, Ohio.

You’ll hear them talk of the important stories they’re working on and their future in journalism.

In addition, they’ll address another important part of Scholastic Journalism Week — Student Press Freedom Day. This year’s Student Press Freedom Day theme is #unmuteyourself.

 

Enjoy.