“There’s not enough talent in the pipeline.” We often hear this from newsrooms when their hiring decisions don’t reflect the communities they cover. So we decided to take action.
Our organizations — nonprofit news leader CalMatters and the Asian American Journalists Association — partnered last year to create the JCal high school journalism program. It will funnel so much young, diverse talent into the pipeline that hiring managers will have no excuse.
The goal is systemic change. JCal is a long-term commitment, a partnership between journalism organizations and philanthropy, with a statewide focus. At the same time, we are training student journalists to look at the policies and systems that shape the news, and include that context in their reporting. And we’re prepared to help replicate the model in other states.
In 2023, we brought 22 high school students from across California to CalMatters’ Sacramento headquarters to report on state water issues. During the free, all-inclusive program, they toured government offices, connected with professional mentors from major state and national outlets, and produced strong journalism.
JCal students visit the state Capitol in Sacramento on June 21, 2023. (CalMatters/Semantha Norris)
Among the pieces: Astreya McKnight reported on the effects of the historic Klamath River dam removals on salmon, Indigenous tribes, and the economy. Phoebe Pan explained how Orange County’s green lawns are losing their social luster. Bella Kim asked how the racial makeup of water boards affects flood-control efforts.
We’re now recruiting a new cohort for 2024, which will focus on “California’s new workforce.” The student journalists will focus on solutions — the ways high schools, community colleges, local governments, philanthropies, employers, unions and others are collaborating on innovative training programs that give younger workers the skills they need for careers with livable wages.
AAJA has run student programs for 30 years that introduced thousands to the field, but we believe JCal will be one of our most impactful efforts yet. With early career support, these young people build connections, glimpse their potential, and learn the enduring values of ethical journalism. We believe that, in a decade, they will be the ones engaging new audiences and pioneering new platforms.
Their success matters. Democracy requires informed and engaged citizens, and news organizations need to reflect the increasingly diverse communities they serve in order to engage them. Revitalizing local news has become a priority for many funders, yet outlets led by people of color have historically received less support than white-led ones.
A JCal student interviews Matthew Perkins, Founder and CEO of Macro Oceans, while touring the Macro Oceans Science and Engineering Lab in West Sacramento. June 22, 2023. (Julie A Hotz/CalMatters)
We’re grateful to the CalMatters supporters who made this possible. AAJA’s supporters include the Ford, Knight, MacArthur and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations, the Democracy Fund, McKenzie Scott, and corporate funders such as Toyota and P&G. Their support for programs like JCal can change the face of media.
We invite more funders to join us. Flood or drought, let’s keep the pipeline full and flowing.
