Tag: News

Journalism is “dying” when it is needed most

~ chloejaneorton ~ Leave a comment

The world is falling apart and no one knows it.

Journalism is being ignored when it is needed most. To have freedom of the press is to have the freedom of information. Now more than ever, the public needs journalism. A new president means new policies and laws and it can be hard to stay informed. It’s a scary thing to not know what is going on in the world, let alone your own country. Protests, riots, wars, injustices and conflicts. These things are always happening. Every day, all the time, around the world. But not everyone knows. 

For example, many people are unaware of the many conflicts and wars going on in Africa. According to the Geneva Academy, there are more than 35 ongoing armed conflicts in Africa. There are also many who are or were unaware of the fact that the conflicts between Israel and Palestine began long before Oct. 7, 2023. 

One of the main purposes of journalism is to tell the truth and keep people informed. Staying informed is about knowing and understanding both sides of a story. Understanding both sides is extremely important, especially if you decide that you prefer one side because it is important to know what you stand for and what that means to yourself and others. If you don’t know and understand the details of what you are fighting for, how will you be able to properly plan for the outcome.

A good example of this is President Trump’s tariffs. While the purpose of this was to boost the American economy, it ended up raising some prices even more for businesses such as Mattel. According to AP News, “Company executives told analysts on a conference call that China currently accounts for 40% of Mattel’s global production”, and due to the fact that Trump’s imposed 145% tariffs on most of China’s products, Mattel has to raise their sale prices. 

Recently however, media outlets have come to realize that because of the great amount of time people spend on social media, it would be easier to share news with the public via social networks. BBC claims that roughly 54% of people get their news from social media platforms. Because of this, more people are becoming informed, however it could potentially mean the end of hand held paper news. 

With corruption and the need to consistently fact check our own president, journalism is essential to the people. Journalism allows people to be knowledgeable about the things that affect them, and if people don’t know what is going on, no one can move to make a difference. 

If journalism dies now, so will our rights. Stay informed, stay educated, understand both sides, so that we may all make a difference for the better. 

Joe Dennis

~ maggieliu667 ~ Leave a comment

Joe Dennis, a journalist and educator, and is also known for his fedora. The hat became his signature during his Ph.D. studies in New York when a friend suggested he try it on.

“You actually look good in a fedora,” and he trusted her judgement.

Since then, the fedora has been a constant companion, with Dennis owning six other variations, his favorite being the black one purchased at House of Blues, matching a fedora of the 1980s movies he cherishes.

Joe Dennis’ journey began on the south side of Chicago, where he was raised in a Catholic family and went to a Catholic school. Despite the challenges of growing up in a segregated city, he developed a deep appreciation for the importance of understanding different perspectives. Growing up, Dennis experienced the challenges of being part of a minority in a segregated city. He faced discrimination, which he later reflected upon in his writing. His experiences shaped his understanding of identity and the importance of representation in media.

“Chicago, everyone says it’s a diverse city which it is when you look at it on a map and you look at the population and it’s so diverse,” he says.

While no senior family members pursued journalism, Dennis’s influence has sparked an interest in the field among his children. His oldest son dabbled in journalism, earning an award before transitioning to computer science. More notably, his 14-year-old son has developed a “weird fascination” with journalism, inspired by hearing his father’s experiences and stories.

In a gesture of bonding, Dennis and his son got matching tattoos of the Filipino flag on his son’s 21st birthday.

“Let me tell you, that was maybe one of the most meaningful things any of my kids ever said because it was totally unexpected,” he says.

One of Dennis’s most inspiring journalistic experiences was covering a local judge in Monroe, Georgia, who was awaiting a liver transplant. Over several months, Dennis reported on the judge’s journey, culminating in the judge’s passing before receiving the transplant. This story deeply impacted Dennis, leading him to become an organ donor himself, underscoring the profound effect journalism can have on personal choices and societal awareness.

“I’ll never forget the day he died, and I actually went and became an organ donor myself,” he says.

Edie Ash

~ eashf244ecabe0f ~ Leave a comment

Peer, student journalist and coffee fanatic are all things I can use to describe myself. From UGA Football games to neighborhood music festivals, being an Athens, Georgia native played a significant role into the shaping of my self identity.

Growing up in Athens, I was constantly surrounded by the music, art, food and culture of the diverse town. I was exposed to a variety of people with backgrounds exceptionally different than mine, which is ultimately what led me to journalism. I was intrigued by the idea of telling the stories of the people who made up the community that I love.

My journalistic journey didn’t start until my freshman year when I joined my schools magazine- the ODYSSEY Media Group at Clarke Central High School. Though I intended on furthering my journalistic skills, I primarily joined to get involved with my school community. I was unaware of the true impact practicing journalism would have on me, and how it would change my outlook on numerous topics. The stories I witnessed the upperclassman in my publication report on inspired me to come back my sophomore year, in hopes that I too could have the same impact. From politics to natural disasters, I was shocked by their ability to cover such mature topics with an exceptional amount of professionalism.

Following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, I read what felt like endless articles covering the political controversy sparked by the incident. It wasn’t until I read an article published by a student journalist at my school that I truly felt seen, heard and understood as a student. It was then that I was able to grasp the true importance and impact student journalists have on their community, and the essential role they play in ensuring that the student body is heard in a time where we often feel like the last priority.

As I continue my journey as a student journalist, I have made it my mission to be an outlet for student voices, opinions and stories. Not only this, but in a way that is diverse, accurate and balanced. It is the student body that shapes me as a journalist.

Karmen Morrison

~ Karmen Morrison ~ Leave a comment

By: Karmen Morrison

A Jacksonville, Florida native, a women’s sports advocate and a concert frequenter are a few things that make me who I am. This past spring I received my Master of Arts degree from the University of Georgia after two years of culminating projects, writing and research. Before my time at UGA, I got my bachelor’s degree from Florida State University, go noles!

I was unsure of what I wanted to do and had very little interest in anything until my senior year of high school. ” I was a scholar athlete and that came with many interviews that year about school and athletics. I had a lot of fun doing those interviews and then it hit me, can I do this for a living? It was fun being the interviewee and FSU taught me how to be the interviewer. During my time at FSU, I was able to get my feet wet, learn the basics and hone in on the skills of a multimedia journalist. Never did I think I would pursue a master’s degree until I realized I needed to learn more and needed more experience.

While at UGA, I was a graduate assistant for a course called Reporting I where I gained real-world experience in a multitude of areas. I served as a liaison between instructors and students, helped facilitate classes and workshops, brainstormed and implemented new learning activities and aided instructors in various ways. My time at UGA has allowed me to develop production skills, evolve as a journalist, form new relationships and create various types of content I am proud of.

Outside of school, my favorite sport is basketball. My all-time favorite basketball players are LeBron James and Candace Parker. I enjoy watching press conferences, I love listening to music and I am a huge advocate for the representation of women in sports and women’s sports.

Joshua Crawley

~ jkcrawley1 ~ Leave a comment

When people ask me about who I am, I usually don’t know what to say. I could say I’m a soccer player, An athlete, a student, a brother, a runner, a reader and writer, a child of god, a volunteer, or a referee. I could say all these things and many more, but I never feel like that alone can show people who I really am. I am 16 years old going into my junior year at Johns Creek High School. I am amazing and I have everything and more.

My soccer journey started as an adventurous 7 year old that was drawn to soccer. From playing recreational soccer for fun to now playing on a team that travels out of state for games and tournaments nationally, I have come a long way. I became a captain of my club soccer team Atlanta Fire United, played for my high school soccer team, and played in high profile matches in North Carolina and Orlando. Playing soccer got me into refereeing. Part of me just felt like I wanted to get a job, and a part of me wanted to get a job with something I would truly enjoy. I have refereed for about a half year now, and have learned to enjoy everything that comes with it. The crazy screaming parents and coaches along with the occasional fracas on the field are something I have embraced and become entertained by. Cross country was something I recently got into to help me as a runner and an athlete and also to meet new people. Anyways, that’s basically the athletic part of me, but there’s still so much more that encompasses me.

“At my Fathers house, there’s a place for me, I’m a child of God, yes I am.” These are the lyrics of a song we sing at church and as I have progressed forward in my understanding and relationship with God, this couldn’t be more true. Since joining North Point Church a year and a half ago, I have met so many amazing people and grown so much in my faith. From summer retreats to Daytona Beach, to weekends with my brothers in Christ, to Sunday afternoons together, I don’t take any of it for granted. I am a brother to two, and one of the things I have tried to do with my brothers is help them get closer to God as well. My younger brothers mean the world to me and I love them so much. ‘

I do great in the classroom. I get good grades and am a member of different clubs. I’m going to go to an amazing college one day. I am an A student and an avid reader and writer. I am a part of Beta Club which does volunteer work in the school and community. I joined that club for the volunteer hours and recognition initially, but it is something I now find joy in and willingly do. Writing is something that I feel came to me at an early age. I remember once writing a narrative in my fifth grade class, and my teacher later telling me that it was one of the best in the class and that I had a talent for it. I have enjoyed writing a lot and see it as a way to express myself. A career in writing is something I will eventually look to pursue, but nothing is set in stone yet.

My experiences and things I’ve done in this life don’t quite define me or tell my full story, but it gives you an idea of what I’m all about. As I continue to move forward in my life, I will add new things to my palette and grow into an even more amazing person, with a greater story to tell.