World Press Freedom Day

Every year on March 3, 'World Press Freedom Day' takes place. This year it focuses on the importance of digital press possibilities, freedom and quality. Because we at TISB have two main news organisations, in PY and Senior school, we would like to discover what are the benefits of the online version of the school newspapers, as well as why digital versions have been chosen. To do this we got in touch with Ms Reshma who is involved with the student-led PY Pages, and Snigdha, currently the Editor-in-Chief from the Senior students’ Newspaper Club. 

The Newspaper Club is working hard to bring a redesigned version of the publication very soon! – Snighda, Grade 11 

Times are changing, because of modernity, and sometimes by chance. For example, PY Pages was launched during Covid, when TISB was following distancing and many students were scattered across the globe. During this time and under those circumstances, an online version was the best mode of reaching an audience. However, previous printed versions are not only more time demanding and materially costly, but they are also environmentally unfriendly and may be more difficult to physically extend to a larger audience. “Having an online newspaper would make school news and events a lot more accessible to, not just students and faculty, but also interested parents who would like to know what’s happening in the TISB community”, explains Snigdha, who would also like to publish stories and reports more often, which is easily done online. In contrast, the PY are looking to do the opposite. “In the coming year, we also have plans to publish an offline copy of the newspaper”, says Ms Reshma. 

Designing and launching PY Pages was a thoroughly enjoyable learning journey for both the students and teachers – Ms Reshma, PY teacher 

Students have been given the right to develop and manage the news and processes, because of benefits as well as student initiatives. “The idea of PY Pages was initiated by the students themselves. Giving them the right to manage the entire process went a long way in honing their skills like-creativity, collaboration, digital literacy and problem solving”, explains Ms Reshma, and highlights the students’ great boosts and increased confidences, as they take ownership and carry out real-life projects – from planning and developing, to producing and delivering within tight deadlines. “It was very heartening to see the children take initiatives and go out of their way to make this a success.” 

Snigdha explains the importance for students to understand how the media and press plays a role in how information is passed on to the masses, as well as how it creates a significant amount of power. “A school newspaper lets students explore the world of journalism, which gives them opportunities to interview their peers and report on school happenings”, explains Snigdha, whose team offers other students to write about their opinions through editorials and columns, as well as creatively express themselves through prose and poetry. Besides that, the publication is a hallmark of journalistic integrity and creative expressions. 

Now both newspapers are keen on offering news and encouraging involvement. “PY Pages has successfully completed two years and we have launched two editions this academic year”, says Ms Reshma, and explains how themes are based on PY values, such as perseverance, resilience and generosity. . “We feel very proud to see the overwhelming response to each edition and the immense range of talents showcased by the children of PY.” With a fresh launch of the newspaper, the senior Newspaper Club aims to make it student centric. “From now, it is called ‘The Trojan Voice’; we want this to be a space where every TISB student has the opportunity and freedom to express their concerns, ideas, and opinions with the rest of the student body”, Snighda, whose team encourages students to compile fact-based articles and have them broadly read in the future.