Student journalists learn the ropes at local news outlets

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — For the first time this summer, 20 student journalists from SUNY schools around the state, took part in an internship program helping local news outlets cover stories.

“When you lose community news, you lose an identity,” said George Giokas, an adjunct instructor at SUNY Stony Brook.

According to a 2024 report by Northwestern’s  Local News Initiative, more than 3,000 print newspapers have closed since 2005 around the county. These closures have created news deserts in some areas.

“Why not use journalism students to fill the holes to fill the gaps in local news? That’s how the initiative was born,” explained Giokas.

SUNY’s institute for Local News is a program that does just that.

“We started with the official course last fall, community journalism that I teach, and it was wonderful. It’s so beneficial for the students,” shared Eileen Gilligan, Associate Professor at SUNY Oswego. 

Gilligan said her students receive hands on experience by covering events such as local government and school board meetings. 

For the first time this summer, twenty student reporters from nine different SUNY Schools had paid internships helping media outlets around the state. JT Stone, a recent UAlbany graduate, was one of those students.

“I had the great pleasure this summer interning with the Albany Times Union here in Albany,” said Stone. “As an aspiring journalist, now published journalist myself, it was really an incredible 10 week program. I got to cultivate sources, I got to cover stories ranging from property tax to business openings, to state government.”

According to Giokas, having their work published gives these students a leg up when applying for journalism jobs. 

“If they’re graduating, they are in front of the line from other students who don’t have clips.” 

As for Stone, he said he already has outlets interested in hiring him. 

“The fact that I’m in a position where I have opportunities as opposed to no opportunities in part because of this awesome SUNY program is something I don’t take for granted,” said Stone.

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