Student media have played a huge part in portraying proper journalism throughout recent events, such as the strike, the political campaign and Black Lives Matter protests, across college campuses all over the nation. Having significant, real time events as the basis for student media allows students to shine and show the importance of student media.

Determining the importance of a person, subject or event depends on each person’s interpretation, which is based on an individual’s characteristics. Society as a whole generally concludes that having the claim of being important means to have great significance, and will have an outcome of success.

Student media create success because of the great professional experience, creation of student pride and ability to keep their fellow peers updated on current events. Communication/journalism majors believe in the importance of student media more so than their fellow classmates.

“Student media are the places where students go to learn their profession. It’s OK to make mistakes because it’s a learning experience. It’s a learning opportunity,” said Carrie Sipes, Shippensburg University professor and adviser to PRSSA.

Student media are a lot more than just professional development for journalism majors. Student media provide evidence that students have the power to be adults. Student media are student-run organizations. The stories and concepts are all based on what students decide to publish.

This form of media creates the freedom of one’s own self-expression. Having a strong, powerful example of freedom at the center of a university allows others to learn and grow into fully proficient adults.

Becoming an adult is based on one’s ability to create his or her own opinions, and student media are the outlet for that education.

Student media are an expression of First Amendment rights. It is proof that the First Amendment and other unalienable rights are in action. The stage is being set for all students to know that they have the ability to create and be a part of society.

In a survey, done by the author, of 50 SU students four questions were asked: do you think student media are important, do you think student media do a good job handling current events, do you read, watch or listen to any student media and if so how many times a week do you?

An irony was found in the findings: 96 percent of the students found student media important and 78 percent said that student media do a good job handling current events.

The ironic part is that only 54 percent of these students have ever actually watched, listened or read from their media outlets. Thirteen of these students reported actively using student media at least once or twice a week.

The real potential problem with this finding is that these students understand and appreciate the importance of student media, yet they are basing this knowledge off no actual experience.

Although, the bigger picture of what student media can do for the millennial generation can be seen through this tiny survey.

Students are seeing that without having the oppurtunity to rely on student media and getting the correct facts, the media is threatened. And without media as a whole than all forms of expression will start to close.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and are not representative of The Slate or its staff as a whole

Share