#SaveStudentNewsrooms featuring Matthew Hutchinson and Zachary White of the ‘Williams Street Swap Shop’

#SaveStudentNewsrooms is a movement that is championing the importance of student publications across the country. Thousands of hard-working students take time out of their busy schedules to contribute to their school, their community and gain much needed job experience. #SaveStudentNewsrooms is committed to proving that journalism is alive and well in the hearts and minds of ambitious students across the country.

Journalism has been struggling ever since the advent of new media and the slow death of print publications.  Journalistic institutions have had to adapt to the changing technological climate — or perish in the process of clinging to the past.

Public opinion of journalism has also dropped significantly, and as a result of changing media landscapes, a lack of funding and interest, the quality of journalism as a whole has declined. This is why now, more than ever, it’s important for America to wholeheartedly embrace journalism especially at the student level. The press undeniably influences the efficiency of our democracy. 

News should be the mechanism that informs the public. Journalists of the future have to be ready to deal with facts that are harder to find in a rapidly changing socio-political atmosphere. Research is already much harder to navigate than it ever was and that greatly impacts the accuracy of reporting. Journalists will need to hold themselves to a higher standard if we want to be able to compete and contribute moving forward.

 There is an unlimited flow of information that has made it difficult to distinguish between what is fake and what is real. It has also brought us to a place where genuine attempts at quality objective journalism can still fall short because of misleading sources or human error in interpreting evidence. 

Because of the new frontier of media and information, it is imperative that journalism evolves and adapts to the times to remain a useful societal mechanism. The resurgence of widespread quality journalism is dependant on the support of the public. And, the best way for the public to do that is to read and purchase publications they find useful and entertaining, but most importantly advocate for student publications at universities across the country.

Student media is one of the most crucial steps towards integrating students into a professional environment. It allows young journalists to gain experience and make mistakes so that they are more prepared in the future.

The collaborative environment of student media is also integral in acclimating students to working together as a creative team, which is the heart of any journalistic organization. Student publications are the training grounds where aspiring journalists catch a glimpse of what a career in journalism is all about—hard work, integrity and meeting deadlines. If we can support it at its roots than the strength of journalism as a whole will naturally follow.

Recently, I spoke with Matthew Hutchinson and Zachary White of the “Williams Street Swap Shop” on adultswim.com to ask them how they felt about the #SaveStudentNewsrooms movement. Check out the video below to hear their unique perspective and words of encouragement.