What is news-editorial?

Students in the news-editorial option will study the basics of journalism: reporting, writing, and the practice of journalism. The option focuses on thinking, research, and understanding the diverse society in which we live.  In this era of rapidly changing technology, the printed word has become even more important.

Journalists play an important role in a free and democratic society as they serve a public in need of information about its leaders, political institutions and the culture. A journalist is part watchdog and part entertainer. The job requires guts, instincts and talent. At its highest form, journalism educates and provides information that people need in their everyday lives. Students who graduate with a degree in the news-editorial option spend at least one semester and often two or three semesters working on the department's laboratory newspaper, which may be the most honored college newspaper in the country. By practicing journalism, our students learn to tell the stories that need to be told.

Chico State students in the news-editorial option are trained to:

• Understand and apply the principles and laws of freedom of speech and press, including the right to dissent, to monitor and criticize power, and to assemble and petition for redress of grievances;

• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications;

• Understand concepts and apply theories in the use and presentation of images and information;

• Demonstrate an understanding of professional ethical principles and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity;

• Think critically, creatively and independently;

• Critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

Career opportunities for graduates in the news-editorial option

Reporting and writing are skills that are needed in newspapers, magazines, Web sites, and nearly every major organization.  While traditional newspaper reporting jobs are being replaced by opportunities in new media, students graduating from the news-editorial option find employment in a wide variety of fields, including:

• News reporting
• Editing and publishing
• Media organizations, including broadcast and Web sites
• Entertainment and sports organizations
• Education
• Community newspapers
• Business communications

Explore the news-editorial option

To learn more about the news-editorial option, explore the following links:

·        Course requirements in news-editorial

·        Course descriptions

·        The Orion

·        Society of Professional Journalists, Chico State Chapter