Abstract
ABSTRACT The loss of mainstream newspapers in the past decade combined with the decline of the minority press has created ongoing discussion of the news desert crisis in U.S. journalism and around the world. While hundreds of communities go without access to local news, long-term solutions remain elusive. This research examines three case studies of U.S. journalism schools where student journalists operate digital startups in news desert communities. Through oral histories, this study explores how these college students belonging to “Generation Z” view their roles as journalists compared to normative professional conceptualizations and explores the practical implications of such. Students involved with these news desert startups placed greater emphasis on service or altruistic roles of journalism than the watchdog role often emphasized by professional journalists and other student media. Furthermore, many of these students embrace a more historical purview of what encompasses a news desert by emphasizing racial inequalities in traditional journalistic coverage. These student-run online newspapers illustrate not only a potential solution for addressing news deserts but a reimagining of the conceptual and practical roles of student journalists.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.