First hour: The impact of student journalists filling news deserts
Second hour: Discussing the proposed Rochester City School District cuts
A growing number of American cities are losing their newspapers. One result, as noted by the New York Times, is that some cities only have student journalists offering print coverage. It puts pressure on students who are supposed to be learning the craft, but who might not have established professionals to guide them. The Times reports, “Student journalists across the country have stepped in to help fill a void after more than 2,000 newspapers have closed or merged, leaving more than 1,300 communities without any local news coverage. And several young reporters have broken consequential stories that have prodded powerful institutions into changing policies.” Our guests discuss it:
- Wil Aiken, editor-in-chief of the Campus Times at the University of Rochester
- Cayla Keiser, editor-in-chief of the Reporter at RIT
- Kasey Mathews, print managing editor of the Reporter at RIT
- Mike Johansson, former print journalist
Then in our second hour, the Rochester City School District has sent letters informing dozens of teachers that they will lose their jobs, or be shifted to different positions. Board President Van White has said that cuts have to be made, but they must be made as far from students as possible. This week, hundreds of students and parents have protested the proposed cuts, which would take effect in January. Our guests discuss next steps:
- Willa Powell, longest-tenured member of the Rochester City School Board
- Stevie Vargas, community organizer for Citizen Action of New York
- Chris Widmaier, former Rochester City School District teacher
- Mercedes Phelan, lead organizer for Citizen Action of New York
