Abrar Hussain of DOT
In the United States, Arkansas State Rep. Julie Mayberry has moved to file House Bill 1015 after several lawmakers voted to remove journalism classes as an elective in public schools prior to last year. While the lawmakers termed their decision as ‘a mandate’, Mayberry said she was appalled.
“Journalism is essential to our American government,” she said. “We have three branches of government so that we have a watch on each department. But who keeps an eye on them? The journalist.” Under Mayberry’s proposed legislation, all Arkansas public schools would be required to re-offer journalism as an elective. It’s a requirement that she said dates back to 1984.
Mayberry said journalism classes aren’t just about training future journalists but about teaching future generations how to stay informed.
“People are sharing information and not understanding where the source is,” she said.
“They’re just trying to get something out there really quickly. And in journalism school we are taught make sure you get the story right, get your facts straight first and then present the story. And that’s not what’s happening right now, so it’s something everybody can learn from.”
Lawmakers against bringing back this requirement said it puts public schools in a difficult position.
“Journalism is a great class,” said state Sen. Trent Garner, R-El Dorado. “I think it’s a great profession. But mandating by the state that every single school teaches it puts a financial strain and other strain on schools. I grew up in a very rural school. My graduating class was 60 people and we barely had enough teachers for Spanish and other kind of basic courses.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said in a statement that he opposes the bill on similar grounds.
-Source: KA TV