Session explores online transitions by Nicole Kiefert
P
laying
outside
has
been
re-
placed by video games, paper books are becoming e-readers and newspapers are becoming websites. Times are changing and with everything switching to electronic technology, it’s become more popular for different media to turn into electronic versions just to keep up. Online sources can be quicker and easier to access, and with the ability to have it on-the-go, online newspapers are starting to take off. Although some people prefer holding the paper in their hands as they read it, a lot of publishers are getting rid of the print product in favor of website. Students attending the April 9 NEWSPA conference will hear personal experiences about what it’s like for newspapers to make the transition from print to online. Beth Plankey, an instructor of speech, journalism and American literature at Neenah High School, and Allison Byam, student social media editor for Neenah High School’s student newspaper, The Satellite, will present “When Your Student Newspaper Goes From Print to Online” at
8:30 a.m. in Reeve 213. “We will introduce ourselves and share our background and general experiences with implementing an online newspaper at the high school level,” Plankey said. “We plan to focus on disadvantages and advantages of the format.” Plankey and Byam plan on keeping students interested by sharing examples from The Satellite and going over the pros and cons of the selections with them. Plankey said, “We will engage the students with samples from our paper and general research on utilizing this format.” According to Plankey, one of the main decisions for switching their newspaper to online format was based primarily on the cost of printing. “Neenah High School’s newspaper is only offered in an online format because of print costs,” Plankey said. “The district made this decision approximately five years ago.” Although the final choice to transfer the paper to a website was based on the budget, it does have some benefits, including that readers are able to access the paper anywhere and at any time after it has been published. “Instant publication is the high-
light of an online publication,” Plankey said. “Also, the readership is not limited to access of a hard copy. Being able to analyze our readers is an additional benefit of an online paper.” To keep the online newspaper interesting, The Satellite staff has been adding social media accounts to keep it interactive. Plankey said she is especially excited about adding a Twitter account to the website. “We added a Twitter account based on feedback from NEWSPA last year,” she said. “We are in the process of having a Twitter feed scroll on the paper.” Keeping the website interactive and innovative is important to keeping people coming back, she said, and social media is one way to make sure people stay in touch with what is happening in the world. With a world shifting from traditional print to technology, it is important newspapers change along with the times to keep readers knowledgeable about current events. “Journalism is changing because a majority of readers get their news online,” Plankey said. “Social media is thriving and students view it to be entertained and informed.”
Petition circulating to end prior review
by Haley Walters
A
petition
to
end
Fond du Lac High
School’s newly instated prior review policy because of a controversial article about rape culture has gained more than 1,400 signatures as of March 12. NEWSPA will also be adding a session on prior review because of this controversy entitled “Prior Review: What to do if it happens to you.”
The petition, posted on change.org, calls for Fond du Lac High School Superintendent James Sebert to reverse his decision that requires the paper to submit all articles to administration before they are printed. “The principal may refuse to publish any materials that substantially interfere with the educational process, educational environment, or rights of other students, or materials that may be reasonably
perceived to associate the school with any position other than neutrality on matters of political controversy,” the new school board policy states. The article that began the controversy appeared in the latest issue of the school’s student newspaper The Cardinal Columns entitled “The Rape Joke” by Fond du Lack High School senior Tanvi Kumar. The piece focused on the dangers of high school rape culture.
According to change. org, the article was well-received by students and had a positive impact, sparking conversations about rape culture throughout the school. Petition commenter Haruka Yukioka wrote, “Rape happens at Fondy High, no matter how badly administrators like Dr. Sebert would like to pretend it doesn’t [and] 97 percent of students have heard sexual assault being made fun of.”
uwosh.edu/journalism/newspa 06