My editor informs me this week’s issue will be focused on media literacy. I don’t believe I could be accused of possessing said literacy and, as a writer of movie reviews for print media, could more aptly be called obsolete or deaf to the mewl and clamor of contemporary culture — perhaps a relic. But […]
journalism
Posted inLetters + Opinion
The Unraveling of the Times-Standard
It’s difficult to watch what’s been happening at the Times-Standard over the last several months, even from my seat on the sidelines. If you’re unaware, the region’s only daily just weathered another round of layoffs, including three members of the newsroom. I’m not sure how they are managing to put out a paper six days […]
Posted inNews
Because Media Literacy Matters
Welcome to our second annual Media Literacy Issue. A lot has changed since last year’s inaugural offering (June 7, 2018), penned as the fake news chorus gripped the nation. The inspiration behind that issue was transparency, wanting to bring you, our valued readers, into the proverbial newsroom to help you understand how this newspaper works […]
Posted inNews
HSU’s El Leñador Wins Multiple Awards
Humboldt State University’s El Leñador newspaper won six first place awards in the 2019 California College Media Association statewide awards competition this year. “I can’t be more proud of our El Leñador staff,” Jose Herrera, current editor-in-chief said in the press release. “The awards are a sign that we are doing incredible work covering the community.” […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
On Murder Mountain
Repeatedly over the last few weeks, I’ve been asked for my impressions of Murder Mountain, the six-part docuseries looking at Humboldt County’s cannabis industry released on Netflix last month. The short answer? It isn’t worth your time. At this point, you’ve probably seen that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has blasted the series as a […]
Posted inNews
A Hostage For 5 Years, Former HSU Professor Alann Steen Dies
Alann Steen, a former Humboldt State University journalism professor who was catapulted into the international spotlight when he was held hostage in Beirut for nearly five years, has died. He was 79. Steen, who also earned double master’s degrees at HSU after a six-year stint in the U.S. Marines Corps, which included being briefly deployed […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Enough, Mr. President
On Nov. 9, 2016, like many Americans — a majority, in fact — I woke up with a throbbing headache and the realization that Donald Trump had hijacked the Republican party and been elected president. After briefly considering a move to Canada, I was forced to accept the results of our flawed electoral-college system. I […]
Posted inNews
Look at All These Ads
See that box to the right? That’s an ad. This right here under the headline and byline is editorial content. Easy, right? Mostly. What’s harder to see on the page is the relationship between the advertisements and the paper they support. This paper is free insofar as you didn’t have to pay to pick it […]
Posted inNews
How We News
What is the news and who are we to decide? Those are fair questions and, if you’re reading them, thanks for taking somewhat of a leap of faith in thinking we might deliver the former while trusting us on the latter. But if you still find yourself wondering about the answers, you’re not alone. As […]
Posted inNews
Fake News
Writers at the Internet Research Agency, a Russia-based troll factory, crank out propaganda for fake news blogs.¹ An automated Twitter account or “bot” spreads the word.2 Alex Jones jumps on the story for InfoWars.com.3 A cable news network chimes in. Facebook users share and share. Some of the propaganda contains verifiable facts mixed with fabrication. […]
Posted inNews
The Journal Scores Nine California News Awards
The California News Publishers Association handed out its awards yesterday, of which the Journal, finalist for 12 categories, scored nine awards. We are crazy proud of our winning writers and designers, and of every person who makes each issue possible. Hearty thanks go the community of readers who support us. Awards include: First Place Coverage of […]
Posted inSpecial Sections
The Spirit of a Place
“You’re playing hooky today,” Jerry Rohde’s mom informed him one autumn morning when he was 12. They piled into her 1954 Ford sedan and headed into the San Bernardino Mountains to explore a historic Wild West village she visited when she was a girl. Set in a pine forest surrounded by steep cliffs and rocky […]