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What is the value of student journalism and what are the benefits Inklings provide to its members?

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Percent of Interviewees who've taken AP English Language 

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Percent of Interviewees who've taken AP English Language 

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Offering a journalism class at Staples High School provides students with valuable benefits, including developing critical thinking, communication, and writing skills. Furthermore, the class would foster inter-grade relationships through collaborative projects and teamwork, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive school environment.

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While not too prevalent at Staples, the lack of passion for journalism leads to people believing that having a student newspaper and journalism class at high schools isn't necessary. A 2018 survey by the Journalism Education Association (JEA) found that 70% of student journalists in the U.S. felt that their publications lacked adequate funding, with many schools unable to provide essential resources for training or professional-grade equipment

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Through various articles, I've found that student journalism presents many benefits

Connection and Expression: Student journalism serves as a platform for students to express ideas and engage in societal discussions. As "The Uproar" states, "Student journalism is a pillar of connection, a place where students can freely discuss their ideas," fostering debate and raising awareness of societal issues.

Educational Value: It plays a crucial role in developing skills for active citizenship, promoting critical thinking, media literacy, and student expression. The Science Survey emphasizes, "high school newspapers remain a crucial institution, nurturing critical thinking, media literacy, and providing a platform for student expression." Richard Just also notes in The Washington Post that student newspapers teach principles essential to a free society, such as skepticism, criticism, and the need for checks on authority.

Community Engagement: Student journalism fosters a sense of community by focusing on local events and issues, as highlighted in the USC Annenberg report. This "cohesion journalism" helps create a shared sense of identity, while also allowing students to "find and share their voice," as Akin notes, contributing to the inclusivity of the student journalism subculture.

Skills for Growth: Participation in student journalism cultivates valuable personal and professional skills, such as teamwork and problem-solving. The USC Annenberg report states, "students who participate in journalism score higher on standardized tests and are more active in extracurriculars," underlining how journalism nurtures both academic success and real-world readiness.

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Inklings publications often serve as an important platform for addressing issues that directly affect the student body, such as school policies, student rights, school events, opinions on current events, and highlighting the stories of Staples students. Inklings provide an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking and communication skills, and they can be a vital outlet for student activism.

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The culture of Inklings aligns with Pierre Bourdieu's theories of cultural capital, habitus, and fields, showcasing how participation in this organization equips students with valuable skills, relationships, and experiences.

Cultural Capital Development: Students gain important skills like writing, graphic design, and collaboration that contribute to their academic success and personal growth.

Shared Habitus: Rituals such as late layout meetings and inter-grade friendships cultivate a culture of hard work, dedication, and teamwork, as evidenced by students collaborating to improve article content and layout designs.

Fields and Subcultures: Subgroups like the Purple, Blue, and Red staffs operate as unique fields with their own traditions and dynamics, demonstrated by Angela’s leadership in organizing a thrifting trip, reflecting the social relationships and status within these subcultures.

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Structural functionalism is evident in Inklings, as its subgroups work collaboratively, each fulfilling a distinct role that supports the organization’s stability and success.

Division of Labor: Subgroups like the Purple, Blue, and Red staffs, along with the web team, serve specialized functions, ensuring efficient and high-quality production of the paper.

Cohesion within Subgroups: Staffs operate as semi-autonomous units with their own traditions, physical spaces, and communication methods, fostering teamwork and collaboration within each group.

Interdependence of Subgroups: The unique dynamics of each staff and the web team, such as the web team's focus on online content, demonstrate how their distinct roles contribute to the overall mission and functionality of Inklings.

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Many Inklings alum go on to college to pursue degrees in journalism, ultimately applying their skills to communicate and cover current events and national news. Journalism is integral to societal transparency and holding people accountable.

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Efforts have been made at local, national, and global levels to support student journalism. Some schools have established stronger networks with professional journalists who can mentor students and provide training in investigative reporting, ethical standards, and digital media. Organizations like the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) and the Journalism Education Association (JEA) offer legal support, educational resources, and advocacy for student press freedom.

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Social Structures and Interactions: Inklings encourages inter-grade friendships, with students of all ages working and socializing together, fostering collaboration and support.

Norms and Practices: Long layout meetings and communal dinners promote a strong work ethic while also encouraging social bonding, balancing high standards with camaraderie.

Skill Development: Inklings helps students improve writing, graphic design, and time management, leading to academic growth and stronger work habits.

Community and Support: Inklings builds a supportive community where inter-grade mentorship fosters lifelong relationships and personal development.

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The Value of Student Journalism: Inklings at Staples High School demonstrates how student journalism fosters critical thinking, writing proficiency, and social growth through collaboration and inter-grade relationships, highlighting its role as more than just an extracurricular activity.

Broader Educational Implications: The decline of programs like Inklings raises questions for educators and policymakers about how to prioritize and sustain journalism programs in schools, as well as how to identify and integrate other overlooked opportunities that prepare students for success in a complex, interconnected world.

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"There is this stigma right now that journalism is a dying art" - Mia Bomback '25 

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Journalism is noticeably declining in NYC as 73% of NYC Public Schools don’t have school newspapers and journalism programs.