April 23-25: Protecting journalism during COVID-19 pandemic

Report for America's mission is to strengthen our communities and our democracy through local journalism that is truthful, fearless, fair and smart.

Report for America Surges During COVID Crisis, Fielding 225 Reporters in Local Newsrooms

April 23: Report for America announced the selection of 225 journalists for its 2020 reporting corps. The new group will be placed with more than 160 local news organizations across 46 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.

These reporting positions come at a time when local journalism is already hurting from years of newsroom cuts and unforeseen challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities through its reporting corps. It is an initiative of the nonprofit news organization, The GroundTruth Project.

The journalists reflect a wide range of background with:

· 225 reporters in 162 newsrooms

· About 40 percent are journalists of color, more than a quarter speak Spanish

· Average age is 27

· 5 post-9/11 U.S. military veterans

· More than two thirds are women

‘No time to blame the messenger’ warns UN rights chief, amidst media clampdowns surrounding COVID-19

April 24: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, expressed alarm over restrictions stopping the flow of information regarding COVID-19 according to UN News.

“A free media is always essential, but we have never depended on it more than we do during this pandemic, when so many people are isolated and fearing for their health and livelihoods,” Bachelet said.

According to the International Press Institute, there have been more than 130 alleged violations of basic press freedom since the start of the outbreak, including more than 50 reported instances of restrictions on access to information, censorship, and excessive regulation of misinformation.

Bachelet explained it is important for people making decisions about the media to be open and transparent to bring accurate information regarding COVID-19 coverage.

Editorial: Student journalism matters — never in our lifetime has it been clearer

April 24: Student journalists at Kansas State are continuing to find the importance of their student work even more during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Collegian.

Kansas State is on the frontline covering the COVID-19 pandemic like many other college student media.

The Collegian is still working to cover the university, its students, and the local community during this time. The paper is cataloging personal stories from the pandemic and reporting on the daily virus impact on their digital website.

All student media at K-State including Collegian Media Group publications; KKSU-TV, and Wildcat 91.9 FM serve a vital role in the culture of the student body.

The Yearbook is rededicating multiple pages to cover the pandemic for the university’s historical record as well as broadcasting on air through the student-run TV and radio stations.