Hundreds rally at City Hall after DOE releases first report on journalism programs
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 are rallying on the steps of City Hall this morning, joining City Council members to mark the start of a citywide, multi-year initiative to expand journalism education after the New York City Department of Education released its first-ever report on journalism access in 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, helped 30 public high schools launch journalism courses at the start of the school year this month. The classes are part of Journalism for All, the Youth Journalism Coalition’s initiative to increase journalism programming at the city’s schools, and were developed at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY.
While not directly involved in the YJC’s initiative, the DOE has expressed support for increasing journalism programming in its schools. According to the DOE’s report, only 90 public high schools in the city offered any kind of journalism course during the 2024-25 school year.
“When we support student journalism, we are affirming our commitment to student voice and creating spaces where our scholars can express themselves, hold leaders accountable, and contribute to positive change,” NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said.
“Through their reporting, our young people develop critical thinking skills, learn to advocate for their communities, and drive meaningful conversations about the issues that matter most to them. I encourage all our school communities to value, support, and amplify student voices as they continue to push important conversations forward,” she said.
The DOE released 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.
City Council Member Rita Joseph, who chairs the Education Committee, introduced the legislation. Describing herself as a “forever educator,” she said she knows the power of student voice.
“Journalism gives young people the tools to tell their stories, hold power accountable, and strengthen our democracy. That’s why today’s announcement is so meaningful: not only are we shining a light on the inequities in access to journalism programs, but we’re also taking action to close those gaps with new courses in high schools across our city,” Joseph said.
“I’m proud to stand with the Youth Journalism Coalition, our students, and educators as we expand opportunities for every young New Yorker to develop their voice and shape the future of our communities,” she said.
To compile the report, the DOE relied on high schools’ self-reported course data. Courses coded as “journalism” are broadly defined as “other English” classes, and the DOE does not publish a more detailed definition of what a journalism course must include to qualify as such.
What is clear from the report, YJC Director CJ Sánchez said, is its mandate for city leaders.
“We must act to ensure every student has access to a high-quality journalism program. With Journalism for All, we’re measuring success by both the number of courses available and the quality of the student experience. We are prioritizing rigor and sustainability to ensure that students have the tools and mentorship to become lifelong critical thinkers and engaged citizens,” said Sánchez.
“This is how we build an equitable and enduring future for journalism and, subsequently, for the foundation of democracy,” they said.
Autumn Wynn, a senior at Park Slope Collegiate High School, has participated in journalism programs with The Bell, the nonprofit that directs the YJC. Wynn, whose school is now part of Journalism for All’s first cohort, said exposure to journalism helped her find a passion for her career, and that she hopes Journalism for All will do the same for other students.
“I hope it inspires another talkative and opinionated Black girl,” Wynn said. “I hope it teaches her to advocate for herself and peers, that questioning the status quo isn’t wrong — and that, yes, you can get paid to talk a lot.”
The initiative relies on public and private support. Some schools that are part of the cohort still need funding for essential startup costs, including student equipment for audio and video reporting and teacher stipends for professional development. As part of today’s J-Day event, Journalism for All students will meet with their City Council members to request discretionary funding for their schools, part of a push that began with the first J-Day event last year.
City Council Member Shahana Hanif acknowledged the importance of discretionary funding for the initiative, which she has already allocated for Wynn’s school this year.
“As a proud supporter of the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition, I’m thrilled to see hundreds of students and educators standing up for equitable access to journalism education,” Hanif said.
“Our communities deserve to have their stories told — and that starts with empowering young people to become storytellers,” she said. “It’s a powerful step toward closing the opportunity gap and ensuring that every student, regardless of zip code, can explore their voice through high-quality journalism education.”
Teamare Gaston, journalism and bilingual special education teacher at Lower East Side Preparatory High School, said she is thankful for the new journalism program at her transfer high school, which serves students who are learning English and have lived in the United States fewer than four years.
“I believe that by educating students about what journalism is and how it affects our day-to-day lives, they will be more socially conscious about what they are consuming, and begin to appreciate factual readings, the freedom of expression and develop a deeper understanding of their right as citizens of this city to see stories that are representative of their experience and more,” Gaston said.
Graciela Mochkofsky, dean of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, said the Journalism for All curriculum “provides educators with the support and professional development they need to bring authentic journalism experiences into their classrooms.”
“We're not just handing teachers materials,” Mochkofsky said. “We're equipping them with the expertise and confidence to guide students through real-world storytelling that connects to their communities and their everyday lives. We can't wait to see this curriculum expand into every high school in New York and beyond.”
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.
The press conference begins today, 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. Its J+ Team supports a new, diverse generation of journalists to make the media landscape more equitable.