Law, Ethics and News Literacy
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Law and Ethics
When covering controversial topics like the elections, I know and teach staffers that opinion does not belong in news. Our second issue this year featured a centerfold about why young people should vote for either candidate. We assigned a rookie to this as his first big piece. Coaching a far-left Biden supporter to represent both sides fairly was not an easy task, but it had to be done. And it was. Though the piece was not the strongest, there is no doubt that both sides of the same coin were explored and explained in an unbiased manner so readers could come to their own conclusion.
Teaching and Learning Media Literacy
MediaWise taught me a lot about what it means to fact check and what it means to read between the lines when things are presented to me digitally. Through MediaWise, I was able to learn directly from people like Dave Jorgenson, the Washington Post TikTok star, about what it means to be media literate and how to express this through different forms of media. I have taken these lessons to my staffers and have tried to share with all of my peers the importance of being literate when it comes to local, national, and global news.
Covering Relevant Topics
In a diverse school and an evolving world, it is The Journal’s top priority to cover relevant topics in a timely manner. Since my time on staff began, I’ve covered or helped to cover a wide variety of topics, including everything from elections and fat shaming to disabilities and student death. It is always ensured that these stories are covered in a sensible and respectful manner, sharing all sides and approaching the subjects with sensitivity.
