Fulcrum, LNN Launch Initiative for Student Journalists

Initiatives across the U.S. are empowering student and emerging journalists to engage communities and address societal challenges through innovative reporting. The Common Ground Journalism cohort, supported by Common Ground USA and the Solutions Journalism Network, trains college students in solutions journalism, encouraging them to report not just on problems but also on effective responses and evidence-based solutions. Students like those at George Washington and Georgetown universities found the program fostered dialogue across differences and made them feel less isolated in their journalism journey. Similarly, the Grizzly Minor Journalism Club at Sadie Halstead Middle School introduces younger students to community journalism, allowing them to explore local stories and learn the complexities of issues such as volunteer work and public service. Both programs emphasize collaboration, critical thinking, and the importance of giving people access to news that helps build a more equitable and sustainable world. These efforts highlight the potential of youth-led journalism to complicate narratives and inspire civic engagement.