At a time when there is almost too much news to keep up with, there is a large population of young adults who are at an extreme risk of misinformation, especially high schoolers.  High schoolers do not always have access to reliable sources of news, and are often left to rely on each other or on social media for information regarding important issues.  A 2019 Stanford study reports that when surveyed, over 96% of high schoolers failed to identify a website with questionable credibility.

Student newspapers provide a reliable news source to a group that needs it the most—teenagers.  Because teenagers are at a great risk of being misinformed, many elected officials in New York City have pushed the Department of Education to fund student newspapers at every public high school across the five boroughs.  

Not only would these student newspapers be a reliable source of information, but they would also provide students with an outlet to write about almost anything they want, which would then be shared with their peers.  Student newspapers  encourage students to attempt new writing styles compared to the typical in-class formulaic essays.  Most of all, reading a publication written by peers helps students to understand events in the world that may be daunting or confusing—events that can become comprehensible when explained by a peer.

Because there are so many proven benefits of student-run school newspapers, the New York City Council directed the city’s Department of Education to take steps to ensure that there is a student newspaper in every public high school in mid-August.  The City Council has argued  that school newspapers are essential to helping students develop writing skills, build a sense of community, and open a pathway to those in underrepresented communities to have a career in journalism.  As of this summer, only about one-fourth of New York City public high schools have some form of access to journalism education, which is another reason why mandated school newspapers should be required at all NYC public high schools.

In today’s world where social media and other platforms can seem intimidating and overwhelming, a school newspaper is an amazing way for students to share their take on issues that relate to the readers.  By providing students with an outlet where they can write creatively about issues that pertain to their peers, every member of the school community will benefit.