Student Reporting Labs encourages completed story submissions for national publication consideration here through StoryMaker, though we will only be able to publish a small portion of them. If you have questions about your story at any point in the process — from pitching to filming and editing — and could use support from the SRL, book office hours with our community engagement team here to get help at any point during the reporting or production process.
Local stories can have the strongest impact locally.
So once you’ve reported and edited an important story that you want to share, share it with your community.
Does your school newspaper have a website, YouTube channel, or social media account(s) to showcase and celebrate student work? Ask if you can publish there. If not - make your own! Publish there.
Another option is a youth publishing site like KQED’s Youth Media Showcase, which welcomes student reporting anytime during the school year as part of the Show What You Know project. All submissions have a unique and shareable URL. This showcase is another possible route to publication through your local public media station, though not nationally. SRL teachers create an account on the showcase and get a code students use to publish (students don’t need to create accounts.)
Think about the different segments of your audience — people that could be interested or could benefit from viewing your story — and start spreading the word.
Think about how you get local news about your school community or larger local community. Can you share your story with a WhatApp group or Discord server you are a part of? Could you print a QR code with a link to your story and put it on a bulletin board at your school, library, or local coffee shop? What other creative ways could you share your story?
Dear [ADD FIRST NAME OF REPORTER],
This story could be a great fit for [ADD NAME OF PROGRAM/PUBLICATION]. I’m a student reporter at [ADD HIGH SCHOOL NAME] and recently reported a story in response to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ prompt on [ADD BIG TOPIC ex: Gun violence, public spaces, legislation targeting schools, etc.]
I produced a story about [ADD HEADLINE OF YOUR PIECE e.g. “A local group of student activists who are investigating gun safety at Smith High School”]. It’s particularly timely and relevant in our community right now because ________________________________________________.
Based on your recent reporting [ADD LINK to an article they’ve written about the topic] on [TOPIC], and your organization’s local focus, I thought this would be of interest to you.
I’m happy to share more, and/or answer any questions — and I hope to connect with you soon!
All best,
[ADD FULL NAME]
Student Reporter at [ADD SCHOOL NAME] with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
SAMPLE PITCH TO A LOCAL ISSUE/TOPIC-RELATED ORGANIZATION
Dear [ADD FIRST NAME OF ORG CONTACT],
My name is [ADD YOUR NAME] I’m a student reporter at [ADD HIGH SCHOOL NAME] and I recently reported a story in response to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ prompt on [ADD BIG TOPIC ex: Gun violence, public spaces, legislation targeting schools, etc.]
I produced a story about [ADD HEADLINE OF YOUR PIECE e.g. “A local group of student activists who are investigating gun safety at Smith High School”]. It’s particularly timely and relevant in our community right now because ________________________________________________.
Based on your organization’s local focus on this topic, I thought this would be of interest to you, your organization, and the folks you support. Are you interested in sharing this story with your community in an upcoming newsletter or on social media?
Please let me know if I can answer any questions or if it would be helpful to chat!
All best,
[ADD FULL NAME]
Student Reporter at [ADD SCHOOL NAME] with PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs
Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information.
Media refers to all electronic or digital means and print or artistic visuals used to transmit messages.
A group of people who live in the same area (such as a city, town, or neighborhood). It can also be a group of people who have the same interests, religion, race, etc.
People are interested in other people. Everyone has something to celebrate and something to complain about. We like unusual stories of people who accomplish amazing feats or handle a life crisis because we can identify with them.
The people who read, watch and consume news. Often, journalists think about audience and newsworthiness in similar ways. How will the news story serve their local or national audience? Who am I writing the story for and why?
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals. (ISTE)
Journalism
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1 hour