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Investigative Reporting and Open Records Requests
Investigative Reporting and Open Records Requests
In my freshman year of high school, I decided to join the school newspaper. I wanted to write an investigative piece on school fights and where these conflicts arose from. I was also curious about how the data was split between East- and Westside schools, and the nuances of wealth and race in school conflicts. I worked with my newspaper adviser to begin research, including making open records requests to the school district and local police department for data. I consulted the Student Press Law Center for resources and also reached out to Cap Times education reporter Scott Girard for advice on filing open records requests. He told me that, historically, the school district was not very helpful in that capacity, which I was familiar with through my work with Simpson Street. Ultimately, the project we halted the project due to a lack of response from officials, concern from school admin, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meeting Historical Figures
Meeting Historical Figures
When it comes to topics in law and ethics, one of the first places we look is to the past. Much of what we know and understand about how law and ethics work is constantly being shaped and reshaped by people and events. I had the opportunity to meet journalist Carl Bernstein and activist Bobby Seale, two historical figures who actively changed the way Americans viewed law and ethics. I had studied both of their past work extensively, and I found their ideas on the current state of journalism and government most important.
In early 2020, it came to light that the local school board was considering implementing policies from an Ohio-based firm called NEOLA. These policies would restrict the freedom of student publications by placing them in the control of administrators. In this article, we dive into the implications NEOLA could have on our schools.
In 2017, I got to interview Dave Zweifel, editor emeritus of The Cap Times, about the 100th anniversary of the newspaper. He told us about how his career began and what he did at the Times on his way to the role of editor, and also offered us solid advice in the changing journalism atmosphere. “The most important role of journalism is the watchdog function,” said Zweifel. "You need to go the extra mile to look for things that aren't so evident."
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement
A big piece of my job at Simpson Street Free Press (SSFP) is following local education politics. This involves panel discussions and interviews with local leaders. Being a part of and witnessing important conversations helps provide the context to make my reporting stronger:
School Board Forum Series - Virtual MMSD Candidate Q&A - March 17, 2022
Hard Questions Interview with Esther Cepeda
Hard Questions - Interview with MMSD Superintendent Dr. Jenkins
Hard Questions: Hear the Voices of Young Journalists - A Panel Discussion
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