Telum Vox Pop: The importance of student publications in media
Interview

Telum Vox Pop: The importance of student publications in media

By Kristy Nguyen

Student news publications have carved out a unique identity in Australia's media landscape. Oftentimes, universities provide the perfect environment for the next generation of journalists to refine their skills and develop their voice. 

Telum spoke to the editors of student publications across Australia and New Zealand to find out how they feel about being represented across the wider media. 

The University of Sydney's Honi Soit - Roisin Murphy, Editor:

Honi Soit celebrates the fact that a better world is always built by young people who are unashamedly idealistic. On every major social issue, students are always a decade ahead. We have a duty to hold great courage in the aspirationalism of our convictions. Our recent cover showed an image of Anthony Albanese in 1983, sitting atop the USYD Quadrangle with a megaphone in his hand, protesting for Political Economy to be its own academic discipline. The photo’s idealistic passion leaves a little bit of the same feeling in everyone who sees it.

In 30 years' time, somebody will stumble across a copy of this paper and read about the future we are collectively imagining. We must show them that we’re bursting at the seams with a hunger for something more.

Students can help build a world free from injustice and oppression, where people aren’t expected to dig themselves out of difficulty - they’re lifted out. A world where collectivism is valued and communities decide their own fates, not out-of-touch governments. Where we celebrate each other’s wins and have each other’s backs. Where life’s a little easier. 

What better time to start building it than now.

The University of Melbourne's Farrago - Charlotte Waters (Creative Editor), Jasmine Pierce (Design Editor), Joanna Guelas (News Editor) and Nishtha Banavalikar (Non-Fiction Editor), Editor(s):

Since 1925, Farrago has been publishing articles and pieces about student life. Not only are student publications important for young journalists, editors and writers who want to build their portfolio, but they are also important as a platform for young voices to elevate themselves.

Farrago, like other student publications, works alongside The University of Melbourne Student Union to push back against the university when they have made decisions that disadvantage students. Student publications are a place where students can publicly call out issues, like wage theft or tuition fee increases that directly disenfranchise them. Student publications like Farrago have a long history of activism and are incredibly important to university life.
 

The University of Auckland's Craccum - Flora Xie and Naomii Seah, Co-Editor-In-Chief(s):

Student publications, despite being poorly funded and often overlooked, refuse to die. That’s because we hold a unique niche in the ecosystem of the media landscape. Universities hold space for social change and debate, and student publications are right on the ground when these discussions take place.

We’ve been the voice for diversity and progression, and we will continue to do so. We publish the stories and platform the discussions that other outlets may not yet be ready for. We represent a changing social fabric. 

Student publications are also often where burgeoning writers get their start in journalism. We provide the experience that so many jobs require, and often, the training too. Student publications are a safe space for students to get a taste of what journalism is like - and it can be addictive. Some of the best journalists in the country have come out of student publications, and they’re changing the industry.
 

Massey University's Massive Magazine - Mason Tangatatai, Editor:

As a young professional, I'm sick of hearing the same rhetoric repeated about my generation over and over again. Companies reiterate that they want to engage with younger audiences but when asked why, far too often the answer is that “youth are the future” or that we “need to empower the future leaders”. Both of these statements fail to recognise the agency young individuals have, and the proximity we have to global problems that will continue for decades to come.

In the media industry, this scepticism is apparent. Young aspiring journalists are hired, only to write on topics their out-of-touch editors think they will be good at. This form of engagement with our generation is only a band-aid on the problem, and it will continue to stifle the growth of young journalists until they are old enough to be seen as voices worth listening to.

That’s my main goal as Editor of Massive Magazine. To give young voices a safe space to speak about problems central to themselves now, and in the near future. Being young is a trait too often looked down upon, but to me, it’s an asset that provides value beyond years of experience.
 

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Telum Media

Database

Journalists
Naomii Seah

Freelance Writer

Roisin Murphy

Mason Tangatatai

Flora Xie

Nishtha Banavalikar

Charlotte Waters

Joanna Guelas

Sports Journalist

Jasmine Pierce

Media
Telum Media

1 contact, 122 media requests

Craccum (The University of Auckland)

3 contacts

Massive Magazine (Massey University)

1 contact

Honi Soit (The University of Sydney)

Farrago (The University of Melbourne)

3 contacts

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