Student Press Freedom Week 2024: Why is High School Journalism Important?

This editorial is part of a series highlighting why high school journalism matters.

By Ayla Ozturk

Monday, February 26, 2024, marked the first day of the Redwood Gigantea’s first Student Press Freedom Week.

You may wonder, “Is this really necessary?” “Is high school journalism that important?” Yes, it is. Here’s why.

Student newspapers provide a platform for student voices to be heard. They amplify the perspectives and experiences of students.

For example, sports writer July Range recently wrote a story about how Paityn Bruce, ’24, and her sister Kwyn, ’26, bond over soccer.

Student journalists have an advantage that professionals don’t: access to students eight hours a day, five days a week. All we need to do is figure out what class they’re in and walk over.

Sometimes, we have to walk from room 207 (next to the front gate) to Sierra Vista (Redwood’s second campus), but amplifying student voices makes it worth it.

Additionally, students are authentic with us. The e-sports club president is more likely to talk honestly with the girl in their fourth-period English class than an adult reporter.

A high school journalism program not only educates students on the significance of a free press in a democratic society but also encourages them to be active participants in it.

Nick Miller, the Redwood Gigantea’s advisor, has everyone memorize the First Amendment during the first week of school.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 U.S. Constition, Amend. 1

As a freshman, I saw zero point in doing it. Four years later, I now understand how relevant and influential the First Amendment is.

By reporting on local issues, we can promote civic engagement and raise awareness about issues that affect our classmates.

Covering Government and Politics has enabled me to pay attention to the school board and the seven individuals who make decisions that directly impact students.

I learned more about the electoral process by covering the school board elections in 2022. I wouldn’t have bothered to learn about a process vital to our democracy if not for journalism.

In a world with a vast sea of information at our fingertips, it is vital to develop critical thinking skills to analyze information and identify credible sources.

By equipping students with these skills, high school journalism prepares them to engage with media responsibly.

Students gain more than just technical skills in a journalism class. They develop a deep sense of responsibility and an ethical code, learning to uphold the truth and seek diverse perspectives.

As student journalists, we tell stories that otherwise wouldn’t be told. We learn how to contribute to the community by engaging with it. We make it big, do it right, and give it class.

Tags: ayla ozturk, high school journalism, rangers, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, redwood rangers, rhs, scholastic journalism week 2024, student press freedom day 2024, visalia ca