A Student Editor for the Northcoast Preparatory Academy Reminds Us of the Value of Student Press Freedom Day

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It’s Student Press Freedom Day and a student reporter reminds us of the value of student run publications.

Alex Riggs

Alex Riggs [Photo from the Northcoast Preparatory Academy in 2019]

There’s just one laptop for the 12 of us running the 2016 version of Adobe. We have no printer, no cameras, budget or classroom. Hell, we don’t even have a full-time adviser.

But we persevere in making Northcoast Preparatory Academy’s (NPA) Heron Herald, a student-run and written newspaper, because it’s more important to us than the challenges that we are presented with. We persevere because others cannot. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) reports that a third of journalism students and teachers nationwide experience administrative censorship.

The priority for the Heron Herald’s staff has always been one of ethical reporting, news by and for peers, and civil engagement. The limitations surrounding our newspaper program have made difficult many objectives, but have made our journalistic integrity and resourcefulness all the stronger. These values are, at the core, what journalism is all about. In the wise words of Former TIME Magazine Editor Henry Anatole Grunwald, “journalism can never be silent.”

It can be easy for young reporters to fall into the trap of lazy journalism, whether that be fake news, clickbait, or other unethical reporting. What is more difficult is to hunt down and investigate stories of importance and complexity. Many young journalists struggle with trying conditions, but we have the knowledge that we can’t take anything for granted. This critical thinking can lead students to develop strong journalistic questioning and investigative skills. Since becoming a student journalist and editor for the Heron Herald, I have found myself evaluating every piece of information I hear with the same critical ear. I am always skeptical, but curious.

Thinking back, I can remember times of teamwork and collaboration in the face of challenges. As previously mentioned, the Heron Herald’s layout editing resources consist of a laptop, outdated Adobe Indesign software, and our layout editor, Zoe Osborn. I say this not to gain sympathy or pity, but to provide context. During the layout process of the most recent Heron Herald edition, Osborn was busy at work and nearly seven pages into her eight-page endeavor when Adobe InDesign crashed. She opened the software again. To her dismay and shock, all of her work beyond page two was gone; completely blank. Zoe lost time and energy into the void of outdated software. Because of this experience, Zoe was able to improve on her own work and learn better how to navigate outdated and cumbersome software.

And when we needed a photo for a police reform story, I drove to the station. We called the front desk and were met with Seargent Phinney, a local police officer. After taking his picture, my peer and I decided that another interview couldn’t hurt, so we interviewed Sgt. Phinney. Our interview and photos provided more context and meaning to the article, which landed it on the front page of the Heron Herald. By our resourceful thinking and investigative nature, my peer and I had taken the opportunity presented to us by our unpreparedness to strengthen the article and the newspaper, in turn. It is times like these that I am grateful for our journalistic curiosity and unique set of circumstances.

NPA is lucky enough to have First Amendment freedoms and not to be in the third of schools that censor students. Unlike the many young reporters who face the adversity of censorship, Heron Herald staff is able to pride itself on writing about what we feel is important, even if these topics are difficult or taboo. Articles like our Pregnancy Options article, where we compared the services offered by faith-based organizations with unaffiliated ones such as Planned Parenthood. This article provided readers with information about each organization without glorifying or villainizing either.

Though seemingly simple, one has to understand that many schools around the country don’t have the liberty to write or publish just any material. New Voices is a student-powered grassroots movement to protect student press freedoms by means of legislation. New Voices has been introduced into 14 states, including my home California. But 36 states are still without these protections for student journalists, leaving them vulnerable to censorship of many kinds. These freedoms are essential in a society that will be inherited by young people.

With one laptop, an hour per week, outdated software, and a staff of a dozen, the Heron Herald is just one example of the countless inspiring student publications that make news accessible to young people and allow teenagers to develop a deep love and value for reporting. And after all, journalism can never be silent.
Alex Riggs,
Editor at the Heron Herald
Northcoast Preparatory Academy’s Independent Student Newspaper
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lauracooskey
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lauracooskey
3 years ago

Well written.
I confess that I clicked on this article prepared to roll my eyes at horrible grammar, punctuation, etc., having seen many examples of appalling writing from local high schools, not to mention at any level of journalism nowadays.
But I was pleasantly surprised at the smooth flow of this essay. Few clumsy glitches means more attention can be paid to your main point, which was a worthy one.

Thank you and congratulations on your mastery.

stuber
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stuber
3 years ago
Reply to  lauracooskey

How about investigating cancel culture. Write an article that says marriage is between a man and a woman. No child under 18 is allowed to be given sex change drugs, or hormone treatments. We have the right to say wife, husband, daughter, son, girl, boy, etc. Trans athletes must only compete with those who are the same birth sex. A male who identifies as female may not compete against real females. Go ahead, try it. Then tell the cancels your rights to say these things are protected by the constitution, and the bill of rights. We are allowed to say and believe these things, and teach our children these things too, which is what most of us do. We dare you.

Yep Humboldt
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Yep Humboldt
3 years ago
Reply to  stuber

Why would you want anyone to write an article about marriage between a man and a woman when the law of the land now unequivocally states that it is between two humans of legal age regardless of gender? And why do you care…? How has it affected you personally? Can you actually articulate your beef with lgbtq people? Has anyone ever done anything to you besides existing? Could you explain it? Would you not rather let go of this deep hatred that seems to inhabit your soul? I promise you would be a much happier person , and I am not saying this as a joke or to tease…I mean it…hope you get to smile today

burblestein
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burblestein
3 years ago

In the present atmosphere of fake news and partisan propaganda, it’s refreshing to know that a fresh crop of young journalists harken to the ancient canons of truth.

Ben Round
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Ben Round
3 years ago

Bless the youth who have aspirations to become journalists!

thetallone
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thetallone
3 years ago

Thumbs up !!!!!!!