Poynter is reporting that its staff members are celebrating the vital role of college journalism and student newsrooms in shaping careers and holding institutions accountable. Kristen Hare, a Poynter faculty member, highlighted the enduring importance of student journalists, noting her own start at the Missourian and her gratitude for current student media. She invited colleagues to share their favorite college newsrooms.
Ren LaForme, Poynter's managing editor, credited The Spectrum at the University at Buffalo for providing him with passion, purpose and a career path, including covering prominent figures and university administration. Kerwin Speight, a Poynter faculty member, said American University’s School of Communication instilled values of truth, service and community, pushing him to report on Washington, D.C. Sara Swann, PolitiFact's digital research program manager, attributed her journalistic development to The Daily Orange at Syracuse University, an independent student-run newspaper.
Kelly McBride, Poynter's senior vice president, praised The Maneater at the University of Missouri for its independent coverage of student-relevant issues like Flock cameras and artificial intelligence, distinct from the official journalism school. Carrie Pratt, a MediaWise video producer and Western Kentucky University adviser, recognized the "thankless work" of college news advisers in mentoring students and navigating administrative challenges. Fernanda Camarena, a Poynter faculty member, emphasized the importance of experience gained at The University of Texas at El Paso, which supported her in securing an internship and launching her career.
Poynter President Neil Brown recounted his "priceless" experiences at The Daily Iowan at the University of Iowa, which included covering presidential debates, investigating local discrimination and holding powerful entities accountable. He said a stint in a college newsroom offers invaluable lessons that a degree alone cannot provide.
Separately, Poynter noted that Lodestar Media of British Columbia has used Stacker, a newswire service, to generate more than 1.7 million views over four years, allowing local publications to increase traffic without diverting resources from local stories.