Fake news. Bias. Alternative facts. Journalism is under attack, and our students certainly feel the apathy that results in this constant cycle of distrust. For students who might be interested in journalism, the job market seems dubious and there’s been increasing vitriol about mainstream news outlets being “fake news.” These realities and fictions affect morale about the field, to be certain, but larger trends in education also threaten the ways in which young people could and should be encouraged...
Perspective. This is a word we use often when we delve into the fundamentals of media literacy. Whose perspective are we getting, and who is in control of the message? How is this perspective different from what we are used to? Are many perspectives being considered? When we teach media literacy, we are often teaching a "best of" buffet of classic liberal education, from rhetoric and argumentation to literary analysis, to civics and history. Rhetorical and literary analysis feed directly into...
A recent poll by Gallup reports that 62 percent of Americans believe journalists are biased in the arena of politics. The majority of those polled feel journalists favor Democrats in their reporting. This isn’t a shocker. Poll after poll has similar results: Americans believe journalists are biased and weave a web of fabricated tales. Where did we go wrong? Recently, I engaged in conversations with several individuals who remember Watergate. All expressed that the majority of the...
Shahla Farzan works currently as a general assignment reporter and weekend newscaster for St. Louis Public Radio. She didn't take the "direct route" to journalism; instead she spent six years studying bees and earned her Ph.D. in ecology. She is a self-proclaimed "friend and admirer of native bees." Her recent work for St. Louis Public Radio includes stories about 'Drag Queen Story Hour' at the St. Louis Public Library and student-led Black Lives Matter youth protests. When Farzan isn't on the airwaves or getting interviews for her stories, she loves to read, hike, and hit the flea markets. She recently shared her thoughts with SchoolJournalism.org for our "Q and A With the Pros" series. SJ: How...
Television was in his blood from the very beginning, anchor Jonathan Ketz chose to follow the generations of broadcasters and story-tellers in his family -- even starting at the same station as his father and grandfather. SJ: When and how were you bit by the journalism bug? Ketz: "I was hit with the journalism bug very early on. My dad is in television broadcasting, and I was always interested in going into it." SJ: What did you do to prepare for your career?Ketz: " Ketz: "I took as many journalism and video production classes as I could. I also majored in broadcast journalism as a college student." SJ: Where was your first professional journalism job and how did you land it? Ketz:...
As he builds his career in communications, Kansas City-native Derek Byrne found learning every skill he can and his strong writing skills have been essential tools for moving from high school yearbook to a Texas university to New York City and back home to the Midwest. Today, Byrne works in social media at Visit KC, Kansas City’s organization dedicated to attracting tourism to the area. "It’s a curious and fascinating blend of writing, creative work, relationship building, fact checking and project management, all with the ultimate goal of fostering affinities for Kansas City across the country and around the world," Byrne said. SJ: When and how were you bit by the journalism bug? Byrne:...
Multiple surveys and studies have shown that Americans remain unaware of the five freedoms the First Amendment guarantees. When more Americans can name characters from an...
MIPA is a state organization working in association with the Missouri School of Journalism; Journalism Educators Association, JEA; and the National Scholastic Press Association,...
January 14, 2017
