Honor student journalism’s vital role in holding accountability

Leila Koss, Husain Asif, Reed Francez, Salma El Bissati, and Audrey Yin

February 26, 2026

Midway Staff

Reporters Leila Koss, Husain Asif, Reed Francez, Salma El Bissati and Audrey Yin argue that student journalism ensures those in positions of power are held responsible for their actions and decisions.

Over 25 million readers received news from student publications in the 2023-24 school year, according to a study from the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont, and investigations led by student journalists have exposed school administrators, faculty and students according to the International Journalists’ Network. Yet, student publications remain heavily censored.

Student journalism plays a vital role in holding teachers and administrators accountable by staying independent and reporting the truth.

Here at U-High, journalists for the U-High Midway reported in November on the tensions between parents and Sue Groesbeck, the interim director of schools at the time. Parents felt Dr. Groesbeck wasn’t doing enough to address an incident of racism and the presence of immigration enforcement agents. Less than a week later, she left the school. The U-High Midway was able to report on these tensions quickly because there is no practice of administrative prior review.

Through an investigation by student journalists, The Daily Northwestern at Northwestern University found evidence for hazing allegations about the school’s football coach, Pat Fitzgerald, after a vague announcement about his short suspension. The newspaper is independently run, and with the paper’s reporting, Mr. Fitzgerald was held accountable and fired.

When a new principal was hired for Pittsburg High School in Kansas, student journalists for The Booster Redux noted inconsistencies in the new principal’s responses after interviewing her for a story about her hire. With basic research, journalists uncovered that she had a degree from an unaccredited university and other concerns about her credentials. Because of independent student control, the article was published and the principal later resigned.

Student journalists should be committed to reporting the truth and speaking out toward issues that can harm their communities. They are crucial in exposing wrongdoing and ensuring transparency, so schools must use Scholastic Journalism Week, Feb. 23-27, as an opportunity to protect the many voices who report the truth.