As a student journalist growing up in one of the most controversial periods of the United States, it has become difficult to pursue journalism. All student journalists, including myself, have received hateful backlash, censorship, removal and other press freedom threats. Society does not see student journalists as “real” journalists, rather that it is our recreational class to get us through high school.
Student Journalists Matter
More than 25 million readers in the U.S. received their news from student journalists’ work in 2023-2024 according to the International Journalists Network. Young journalists cover more local topics, such as certain schools, events or issues occurring in their area. Personally, I cover political and psychological topics and how they affect the community.
Big news outlets tend to overlook local events, because they seem like they are not headline worthy over bigger news. However, student journalists are more willing to take the risk and find out more about a certain story. In 2024, students made up 21% of all journalists arrested or detained in the United States according to the International Journalists Network.
Nation’s View
Recently, the Trump Administration have been targeting journalists by restricting their access to the White House and losing his temper, according to MSN.
“Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” Trump said to a journalist during a White House press event.
A national figure disrespecting a journalist affects all types of journalists around the nation, including student journalists. A social media account Libs of Tiktok ran by Chaya Raichik targeted Cecelia Lipman, an editor at the Clypian, after writing a political opinion article about the Trump Administration.
“School newspaper in @saxoninfo bashes Trump and Trump supporters, calls them a violent, hateful, cult. Same school has a child mutilation flag hanging right in front. This is unacceptable @salemkeizer,” Raichik said on a X post.
Every person has the right to their opinion, however the continuation of inappropriate comments or judgement towards journalists is harmful. The Clypian is a professional paper, even though it is ran by students. Comments suggest that the Clypian or the school itself should be defunded or taken down.
“Calling Trump supporters a ‘violent cult’ while flying a flag promoting radical agendas is pure hypocrisy. Schools should teach respect, not push division and hate,” X user Make Men Great Again said.
Future Journalists
Salem-Keizer Public Schools does not monetize any media produced by the Clypian, just as a regular news outlet is operated by its own staff. The First Amendment protects student media and journalists. We follow the same process, rules and guidelines that news outlets like CNN or KION news follow.
For most students, journalism is not just a way to pass time during school, but it is a future career possibility. We work for free but still regulate and upkeep a multimedia news outlet while facing threats of defunding, backlash and restrictions of our press freedom rights.
