Last Updated: November 12, 2001
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RESTON, Va. -- Building on the yearlong success of its highschooljournalism.org
Web site, the American Society of Newspaper Editors announced today that it would
begin hosting high school newspaper Web sites in early 2002.
"We see this as an extension of our commitment to scholastic journalism,"
said Tim J. McGuire, ASNE president and editor of the Star Tribune in Minneapolis.
"This initiative will make it possible for many high schools to start newspapers
or give existing publications an online presence. It's crucial that we encourage
teens to become involved in school papers in the hopes that some find journalism
to be an fulfilling, challenging career."
Highschooljournalism.org, launched by ASNE in October 2000, helps student
journalists learn more about the craft and helps advisers teach it more effectively.
Additionally, guidance counselors are provided with information about careers
and other opportunities in journalism. Daily newspaper editors are encouraged
to participate in all these areas.
The new hosting service, set to debut early in 2002, will allow all high schools
- regardless of whether they have a printed newspaper - to practice journalism
and post their stories and images on a robust, easy-to-use Web site.
Other than a one-time sign-up fee of $25, the hosting services will be free.
ASNE will provide Web tools, space and support materials to any high school
that asks for it. Participants will receive a CD-ROM of templates and information
to help them hook up to the system. The organization is sending informational
postcards to high schools across the country this month.
The ASNE high school journalism initiative is funded by a grant from the John
S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Eric Newton, director of journalism initiatives
for the Knight Foundation, said he was pleased with ASNE's enterprise in developing
the hosting service.
"There is no longer any excuse for 40 percent of our high schools to have
inadequate student media, or none at all," Newton said. "ASNE has created a
quick, easy, inexpensive way to get practical, citizenship-building education
about the role of news back into the nation's high schools. All we have to do
is check out highschooljournalism.org"
ASNE is the principal organization of the top editors at daily newspapers
throughout the Americas. Founded in 1922 as a non-profit professional organization,
ASNE focuses on the professional development of its members and journalism-related
issues, including the First Amendment, newsroom staff diversity, journalism
education, editorial innovation, journalism credibility and the newspaper's
role in providing information necessary to the informed practice of citizenship.
The Knight Foundation promotes excellence in journalism worldwide and invests
in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities. The foundation, based in Miami, supports
training and education of current and future journalists.
