Wednesday, March 09, 2011

Student Run Media: the Real Hyperlocal Journalism

by Shelly Blake-Plock

The students on our school's newspaper do a bang-up job. They tend to be the kids I see working early in the morning and late into the evening as teachers are closing up shop and the maintenance crew is getting to work. And they put out a good paper, both in print and online; I'm especially fond of the opinion pages (go figure). Check it out at: http://www.jcpatriot.com/ and follow them @JCPatriot on Twitter.

I bring this up not just as a plug for our school's paper, but because I see student run media -- especially online and connected student run media -- as a perfect form of hyperlocal journalism. I think there is a lot to be learned from how student writers and editors cover their "local market" and in the ways they present their findings, investigations, observations, and opinions to the wider world. I would love to see a connected and organized student run media network develop online -- something that could connect student journalists in hyperlocal markets throughout the world... something with a tag like #studentmedia or #hyperschool or #k12voice.

I would love to help our students connect with other student journalists out there; if you've got leads, leave 'em in the comments. And thanks.

4 comments:

  1. We need student journalists more than ever. It is always the student voices that get left out of the political rhetoric around education.

    Philly just had 3 student walkouts at area high schools. Now imagine if those students could share their voices with the larger community/world?!

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  2. The newspaper is great. What software do the students use?

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  3. I never really understood how in rebellion you are until I read the newspaper article about your geography exam! As the irish say....our day shall come!

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  4. Hi,
    http://www.localbyus.com is a hyperlocal news site looking for more contributions from student journalists.

    It is more for sharing their voices with the larger community/world as mshertz mentioned.

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