The importance of student media

Katie Dunn looks at the role of student journalism in today’s media.

''In today’s universe of broadband internet, mobile phones, digital cameras and laptops, the world of student journalism has moved on considerably'' ''Student newspapers are just as able to campaign as they once were, but are no longer tools for that purpose only''

Student journalism is perhaps the most maligned form of media in the world (other than tabloid “journalism”). Those who participate in such activities are often portrayed in films and television as being somewhat depressing bespectacled types, lurking in bushes wielding excessively large and clumsy cameras, attempting to catch the latest scoop on film.

However, in today’s universe of broadband internet, mobile phones, digital cameras and laptops, the world of student journalism has moved on considerably – a fact which, as a sub-editor of the < a href = "http://www.lsweb.org.uk/">Leeds Student, I can attest to. Many happy hours are spent each week in the dedicated pursuit of the truth on all manner of issues - from investigating local estate agents to interviewing Clare Short MP. Perhaps all that remains the same between the fictionalised world of student media and the reality is the desperate and continuous quest for funding.

But what exactly is the point of student journalism? Surely groups of students hidden away deep in the bowels of university unions across the county can’t bring to light the kinds of issues so often highlighted and exposed in the national press? Surely the information they fill their pages with is self-indulgent garbage? Well, perhaps to some extent that is true – we do after all need to cater to our audience, and one of our prime aims is to entertain. However, it is not entirely truthful to state that student journalism is utterly without redeeming features.

Student journalism used to be a force for campaigning – back in the days when students as a whole were more politically active – and I would argue that this is still a function of the student press. For example, the Leeds Student – which has a weekly print run of approximately 6,000 - has produced an entire edition covering environmental problems. The highly successful green issue was dedicated to bringing to light issues both within campus - such as the university’s attempts to increase recycling and reduce carbon emissions - as well as examining other, wider ecological concerns.

Equally, last year, a Leeds Student investigation reached the national press when the sexist and racist comments of a lecturer provoked outrage across the country.

Student newspapers are just as able to campaign as they once were, but are no longer tools for that purpose only - they fulfil the needs and demands of a much more varied audience than that of twenty years ago.

The point of student journalism, as I see it, is no different to that of the national media - to act as a source of news; to inform, intrigue, and investigate. It’s there to bring to the attention of the reader events they would otherwise have no knowledge about. As with all journalism in democratic societies, that of students should act as a balance and criticism to the powers-that-be, to remind them that they are accountable to the people, or in this case, the student body.