As an aspiring journalist, you’re probably craving some inspirational reads! Here are three great titles on our YA shelves. You can either check them out in person or reserve them through FDL’s online catalog.
Looking to do journalism professionally? We’ve included some articles, academic links, and scholarship info as well!
A NewsHound’s Guide to Student Journalism by Katina Paron and Javier Güelfi (Non-Fiction)
Covering the basics of journalistic values and practice, this graphic textbook offers cub reporters a primer on the drama, adventure and ethical conundrums that make journalism rewarding and fun. Using ripped-from-the-headlines examples, the authors challenge students to engage with the big issues. – annotation from the publisher
Sources Say by Lori Goldstein (Fiction – Elections/High School Newspaper)
The newsroom is Cat’s home away from home, and now, as a high school senior, she is finally editor-in-chief of the school paper. Not that anyone reads it: Her earnest exposé of an unhealthy student culture don’t sit well with many. Her sister, Angeline, is a popular social media influencer who has worked hard to make her YouTube channel, “Ask an Angel,” a success, even though Cat dismisses the work and focus that go into being a vlogger. The upcoming student council election sees Angeline and her ex-boyfriend, Leo, running for class president in a very public battle. While Angeline starts by making campaign promises based on popular demands, she comes to realize there are real problems that need to be addressed. Meanwhile, Cat’s reporting skills and journalistic ethics will face their greatest challenge against the competition of social media and the danger of fake news. – adapted from jacket
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Smith (Fiction – Photojournalism/Native American Heritage)
When Louise Wolfe’s boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. She’d rather spend her senior year with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, an ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey. But ‘dating while Native’ can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s? – adapted from jacket
Articles
The Future of the News Industry, According to Student Journalists by Rainesford Stauffer (TeenVogue)
Student Journalists Are Fighting for Protection After Covering the Crises of 2020 by Raines Stauffer (TeenVogue)
How to Fact-Check Social Media Posts and Avoid Fake News Online by Cindy L. Otis (former CIA Analyst)
Five Reasons You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of “Fake News” by Cindy L. Otis (former CIA Analyst)
Journalism Media and Technology Trends and Predictions 2021 (Reuters Institute) by Nic Newman (former BBC journalist)
How Young People Consume News and The Implications For Mainstream Media (2019) by Flamingo (commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University)
Helpful Links
Code of Ethics – Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Journalism Guidelines during COVID-19 Pandemic (2020) (University of Massachusetts)
Ethics Guideline for Student Media
Visual Ethics Guideline for Student Media
**Reporting Safely and Ethically (SPJ)
**Guide to Legal Rights in the U.S. (SPJ)
**Your safety is more important than the story – please be extra cautious when covering public speeches, protests, social unrest, and/or other events that may escalate and become dangerous. If you wish to be present, please contact event organizers and law enforcement before attending the event. They will help you strategize a safe way to observe and report the event. NEVER PARTICIPATE – it’s against professional journalistic practice! Also, never let your purpose for being there be in doubt – meaning, you should wear large, visible media credentials that clearly mark you as a member of the press – and NEVER GO ALONE.
Organizations
Journalism Education Association*** (In addition to scholarships, JEA has middle school & high school award opportunities!)
Society of Professional Journalists*
National Student Press Organization*
* scholarship opportunities for members
*** scholarship opportunities without membership
– Katie Smith, Reference Specialist