Hundreds of journalism students, teachers to rally at City Hall
MEDIA ADVISORY
NYC students, teachers, Council members to rally at City Hall as DOE releases its first-ever report on access to journalism programs in city’s public high schools
Day of action marks launch of new journalism courses in 30 high schools across NYC’s five boroughs, part of Youth Journalism Coalition’s citywide effort to expand journalism education
NEW YORK — Hundreds of students and teachers will rally on the steps of City Hall this Tuesday, joining City Council members to mark the start of a citywide, multi-year initiative to expand journalism education as the New York City Department of Education releases its first-ever report on journalism access in its public high schools.
The NYC Youth Journalism Coalition, organizing the second annual “J-Day” event in partnership with the City Council’s Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, expects the DOE’s data to show major gaps in student access to journalism offerings. To start closing those gaps, the Youth Journalism Coalition helped 30 public high schools launch journalism courses at the start of the school year this month, with a comprehensive new curriculum from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.
“This year, nearly a thousand students who have been historically shut out from these opportunities are taking a high-quality journalism course,” YJC Director CJ Sánchez said. “This is a testament to what we can achieve together as students, educators, city leaders, industry professionals and philanthropists.”
The new classes are part of Journalism for All, a YJC-led initiative to increase journalism programming in the city’s schools. Teachers at the 30 schools applied to join the inaugural cohort last fall. Their students provided supporting statements, and their administrators pledged to sustain the new offerings for at least three years. The J+ team at CUNY Newmark trained teachers on the curriculum this summer and will continue coaching them through the first year of their course instruction.
The DOE is releasing its report in compliance with Local Law 27, which the City Council passed this year after YJC’s advocacy. The law requires the chancellor to publish an annual report on journalism programming in the city’s public high schools, including courses, clubs and publications.
The day of action will start with a student-led press conference on the DOE‘s report and how Journalism for All is expanding access to journalism education for students across the city. It will continue with a special meeting of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus of the City Council. Students will then meet with their Council members to request support for journalism at their schools.
“To build a future of informed citizens, critical thinkers and strong communities, we must prepare all of our young people to engage in our democracy,” Sánchez said. “That's the promise of Journalism for All. We’re calling on more of our leaders to invest in that future together.”
The press conference begins on Tuesday, September 16, at 10:30 a.m., on the steps of City Hall. Students, teachers, Council members, DOE leaders and CUNY Newmark collaborators will be available to speak on the record. Editorial photographs may be provided upon request. The Journalism for All curriculum is freely accessible at teachjournalismforall.com.
For more information, contact Sophie Mode at sophie@youthjournalismnyc.org.
The New York City Youth Journalism Coalition advances equitable access to journalism opportunities for New York City’s young people, including through the Journalism for All initiative. YJC partners include students, educators, nonprofits, newsrooms, foundations and others who support its mission.
The New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus protects, empowers and advocates for over five million New Yorkers of color through its legislative, oversight and budgetary powers.
The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY prepares outstanding journalists to make a difference as they transform journalism. ItsJ+ Team supports a new, diverse generation of journalists to make the media landscape more equitable.
