THE PULP: The Importance of Student Journalism

Hoping this does the trick...

Your student newspaper is dying, and we need your help. After three successful issues of "The Pulp" published last term – the only student publication on campus, serving all three universities – may be at its end due to a scarcity of contributors. I am writing this article for two reasons: to call all and any interested students to become part of the team, and to demonstrate the importance of student journalism and the urgency of this issue.

In 1942, leaflets entitled "The White Rose" appeared at the University of Munich. Within the pages lied an essay about the destructive force of the Nazi regime, and called for a non violent resistance to Hitler. Hans and Sophie Scholl – students – along with their peers, began this movement, which consisted of five other leaflets and eventually reached the University of Hamburg and even Austria. After a year of anonymous protest and legions of followers, Hans, Sophie and one of their confidantes Cristoph Probst, were executed by beheading. Other ‘guilty’ conspirators were similarly murdered or sent to concentration camps.

In 1989, student journalists in Belgrade began a radio show, broadcasting over a tiny 50 km circumference. Their meager beginnings soon translated into a major force as the station quickly grew and became a rare source of independent, unbiased news at a time when political landscapes were in constant flux. Although B92 – now dubbed B2 92 – was often taken off the air by authorities, it has consistently prevailed and is now in its 18th year.

Currently, students in Venezuela are making such an impact in their non violent revolt against President Hugo Chavez that not only has the leader addressed the student-led rebellion, but even American officials have acknowledged their presence at the forefront of protest.

Heroic and impressive examples aside, student journalism is not necessarily about changing the world, it’s about using your voice. We have a say in what is going on around us – at the university, in the community and beyond. It’s our opportunity to express ourselves and communicate with each other.

I wonder how many students are aware of the recent campus elections, or the themed pub night every Wednesday in Coopers. How many students know about the Thursday night café held for international students in Blake? What about the new restaurant in the refurbished Rochester building? How about the sports on campus, the different kinds of research going on in each faculty, issues which are causing concern in the community? This is a very brief list of examples, things which should be appearing in a regular publication, written by you, for you.


Of course, a newspaper is much more than news and opinions. Contribute your own crossword. Draw us a comic. Write us entirely satirical articles. Give us your fashion tips. Help us with design and layout. Photograph for us. Share a recipe. Tell the student body about your faculty. Think outside of your box – often people perceive student journalists as someone with impeccable writing skills and articulacy. The truth: student newspapers are full of amateurs. Simply people who recognize the incredibly unique opportunity to do something they've never done before and might never do again, and here’s the best part: no experience required.

This is the medium, the message is yours. I implore you: don't let it go. Join our team: yourstudentnews@gmail.com.