BusinessEducationUniversity-Led Reporting Lets Students Cover the Statehouse

University-Led Reporting Lets Students Cover the Statehouse

-

- Advertisment -sslate

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline.

State legislatures handle important matters, including educational standards and access to health care, but increasingly it is students working with university-led reporting programs who are making sure the stories get the coverage they deserve.

Richard Watts, founder of the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont, said students are working under the direction of veteran reporters and bringing fresh perspectives to the job.

“Students want to do real things these days,” Watts observed. “They really don’t appreciate writing papers that go anywhere when they could actually write something that people read and has an impact.”

University-Led Reporting

More than 10% of statehouse reporters are now students, mainly from public colleges and universities. Watts noted he hopes more private universities will use their vast resources to ensure their students get this type of on-the-job training, and communities get the news they need.

Research shows the loss of local news coverage has real impacts on local communities: decreasing civic engagement and voter turnout, and increasing costs for municipal governments.

Watts argued local news is vital to a thriving democracy.

“Without local news, people turn to these competing ideological news sources, and it leads to increased polarization,” Watts contended.

Watts added public colleges and universities are fulfilling their public service missions by helping their students fill local news gaps for media outlets, which continue to downsize due to the loss of ad revenue.

The Center for Community News has documented more than 100 university-led reporting programs so far across the U.S.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Sunshine Slate
Sunshine Slatehttps://www.sunshineslate.com
Sunshine Slate is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. We provide you with the latest breaking news and videos straight from the United States of America.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest news

Why is sociology on the chopping block in Florida?

Florida's education system is a proposal to drop sociology, the study of social life and the causes and consequences of human behavior

Marriott Homes and Villas vs. Apartments by Marriott: A Comprehensive Comparison

Marriott International, a global hospitality leader, offers two distinct vacation rental programs: Marriott Homes and Villas and Apartments by Marriott

Unlocking the Ultimate NFL Experience: Why StubHub Reigns Supreme for Season Tickets

When it comes to purchasing NFL season tickets, one platform stands out among the rest: StubHub.

Nurturing Ideas, Shaping Policy: The Vital Role of Think Tanks and Research Institutions in the USA

This article explores the crucial role that think tanks and research institutions play in the USA, delving into their functions, impact, and the challenges they face.
- Advertisement -

Best Apps and Games for your New Mobile Phone

We can install any app from the google play store very quickly. Let’s take a look at some most amazing apps for android mobile phones.

Florida Student groups defend Palestinian rights with lawsuits against state officials

The Students for Justice in Palestine chapters at the University of Florida and the University of South Florida are filing lawsuits against the deactivation orders
edealo.com
- Advertisement -sslate
transformerscon

Must read

Nurturing Ideas, Shaping Policy: The Vital Role of Think Tanks and Research Institutions in the USA

This article explores the crucial role that think tanks and research institutions play in the USA, delving into their functions, impact, and the challenges they face.

Best Apps and Games for your New Mobile Phone

We can install any app from the google play store very quickly. Let’s take a look at some most amazing apps for android mobile phones.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -sslate

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you