Journalism programs in high schools are important for building skills, bringing together communities, and amplifying the voices of the student body.
Working as a newspaper staff member in high school builds skills that can be applied to many areas of life. Participation in journalism improves academic skills like writing and research. Writing on a regular basis as expected with a newspaper publication makes students stronger writers and gives them an outlet to practice. Researching for articles gives students better media literacy and helps them fight against the prominent propaganda and lies in the news. Data analysis and critical thinking skills are crucial for being a journalist. According to the Newspaper Association of America Foundation, participation in high school journalism can increase grades and SAT/ACT scores. Overall, high school journalism creates well-rounded individuals who can transfer the skills they’re learning to other areas.
Being a high school journalist also improves social skills. The need for outside opinions makes students better speakers as they need to interview a diverse range of people in the community and gain their perspectives. Journalism helps people form opinions that are well-researched and understood, which is a valuable skill to have, especially when you’re young.
Having a school newspaper gives way for students to have their voices heard by the community. When the youth get loud it holds the people in authority in their lives accountable. A high school newspaper gives students an outlet to express their feelings about things currently happening in their communities and the world. Writing in the school newspaper communicates to the community what you think is important for them to know and what you think they should care about. It’s also a writing experience outside of the usual English class. It allows students to express themselves how they want to. It’s an empowering experience that is hard to come by in other extracurriculars.
The people who question the importance of high school journalism programs don’t understand the purpose. I had the opportunity to speak with Isabelle Porzondek, an Opinion Analyst for the Michigan Daily and a former writer with Beneath the Stripes. She told me about how she initially joined the journalism program to have an easier class on her schedule. She wasn’t aware of the passion she would find for journalism and writing. When asked about why she feels her experience in high school journalism was important for her future, she said, “The class definitely honed my skills in persuasive writing, while also introducing me to the importance of not just presenting an argument/topic of issue, but engaging an audience with things that are relatable.”
For students interested in journalism, high school journalism experience is a good foot into the door to pursue journalism in college, which in recent years has been seeing more media attention. People across the country are beginning to see the value of hearing the voices of the youth. For those who don’t have any preexisting desire to be in the field, joining a high school journalism program is the perfect opportunity to discover a passion.
