A Novel Idea:
Jounalism textbook with a twist
By Sam Berkhead, IJNet
I
n recent months, high
school journalists
have made national
headlines for pursuing
stories that resulted in a
principal’s resignation and
increased scrutiny of school
administrations.
to fill the gap of news literacy
among young people while
encouraging them to pursue
journalism as a career path.
At the same time, young
people everywhere struggle
with news literacy. Research
has shown that many students
can’t distinguish real news from
fake news, or mainstream news
sources from fringe outlets. “Young people are being seen
more as on the frontlines of
reporting,” said Katina Paron, the
book’s author and director of
the NYC High School Journalism
Collaborative. “With high school
journalists in the news, students’
own work was coming to the
spotlight, which helped people
understand and see why it’s
important.”
Half graphic novel, half high
school textbook, A NewsHound’s
Guide to Student Journalism aims The book’s six chapters each
focus on a different journalism
topic, taking students on
a journey into journalism’s
challenges, rewards and ethical
complexities. With narratives
based on real-life scenarios (one
chapter riffs on the Watergate
investigation, with a character
discovering election fraud at
his school), a cast of relatable
characters and engaging
illustrations, Paron said the book
will break out of the traditional
media education model.
“The comic book style helps
conduce people into being
interested in journalism, and
they can see themselves in these
characters,” Paron explained.
“Not all these kids will go on
to be journalists, but they’ll