Special day promotes social awareness

In a country where freedom and liberty are taken for granted, it can be easy to become disengaged with the world around us. This is why the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) created News Engagement Day, Oct. 4.

The purpose of News Engagement Day is to promote social awareness and get people informed and into the news. Erin Wilson, ‘18, believes that it is important to get engaged in the news so that you can know what is happening in the world around you.

“I think it is important to engage in the news because you should know what is happening in the world,” Wilson said. “I like to get the news mostly from the internet and my phone because it is the most convenient. I think people can get better engaged in the news by watching the tv or reading up on current events.”  

The news can be important for a variety of reasons. In some countries the press is silenced due to censorship. Foreign exchange student Clark Zhu, ‘17, encourages students to stay informed in the news and hopes that reporters in other countries will continue to push forward to release the truth.

“I think people should develop a habit of checking news in daily routine,” Zhu said. “They need to be aware that what happens in their community and in the world matters to them too. After all, as humans, we all care about the same thing regardless of different culture and race. I’m happy that the journalists in China are really trying hard fighting for freedom of the press. Many of them truly struggle to get the truth to be told under strong censorship coming from the government.”

I think people should develop a habit of checking news in daily routine.They need to be aware that what happens in their community and in the world matters to them too. After all, as humans, we all care about the same thing regardless of different culture and race. I’m happy that the journalists in China are really trying hard fighting for freedom of the press. Many of them truly struggle to get the truth to be told under strong censorship coming from the government. — Clark Zhu

A poll that was recently released by the AEJMC stated that only 57 percent of people were getting the news seven days a week with only 44 percent of those people doing so purposely.

Some students get their news from friends. News engagement is important to Matthew Peterson, ‘20, because it keeps him informed. He believes that it gives knowledge to the consumers. 

“I think it’s important to engage in the news so you aren’t blind to what’s going on,” Peterson said. “I like getting the news from my friends, and I don’t think that many people are engaged in the news. It is really simple, all they have to do is look at their news on social media.

In America students often times get distracted, not taking time to follow up with the news. Megan Raynes, ‘19, believes that news engagement is important because it keeps you connected with the world. She believes that staying informed will help everyday people make better decisions.

“I think it’s important to be engaged with the news so that we know what’s going on in the world around us,” Raynes said. “We need to be aware so that we can make the right decisions. We get too distracted that we don’t take the time to look at what’s going on in our world. People just need to turn on their TV or go on any social media site to see what’s going on, they just need to be motivated.”

News engagement is a priority for The Feather which is why it strives to keep the school community and student body educated and aware of the current events. JH teacher Hallie Rojeski commented on the impact that The Feather has made on the campus and the school.

“I think it’s increasing as students become more aware of it, the fact that they post school news encourages students to look,” Rojeski said. “You hear students occasionally talking about it; they’re always looking to see if something from junior high is in there especially about Calvin Crest, so yes, I think it’s more of a positive.”

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How can you get involved in the news for News Engagement Day? Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

For more articles on News Engagement Day read, Editorial: News Engagement Day spreads awareness.

This writer can be reached via email: Matthew Sue.

The Feather conducted a poll throughout the FC student body asking for their top 3 news sources. 149 of FC’s 179 students voted on the poll.

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News Engagement Day from The Feather Online on Vimeo.