#SaveStudentNewsrooms Day started in 2018 to bring awareness to challenges student-run newspapers face across the country. Today, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, I want to say thank you to our East Tennessean staff for their hard work in these past weeks.

All news reporting has changed drastically since around mid-March, and you’ve likely seen many broadcast journalists reporting from their homes rather than TV stations. The East Tennessean is no different. We’ve had to change the ways in which we report as we adapt to this time of social-distancing.

I am always incredibly proud of our staff, but their dedication to journalism throughout this time has been exceptionally inspiring. They have volunteered their time and energy to continue sharing stories despite their own struggles caused by the virus.

While they are accustomed to interviewing people face-to-face and attending events and meetings, they now use Zoom and phone calls to gather information. It’s not ideal, but they’re making it work just like all journalists have had to in the past weeks.

Journalism is tough. The current circumstances make it tougher. Our student journalists will emerge the toughest.

To our staff who have continued reporting throughout this challenging time, thank you. You all inspire me daily. Especially on today, #SaveStudentNewsrooms Day, you are a reminder of why campus newspapers are vital. You are the future of news media, and that is a comfort.

Finally, I want to share a few of the many incredible stories we’ve shared relating to COVID-19:

If you’re reading this, thank you for supporting the East Tennessean.

Author

  • Raina Wiseman

    Raina Wiseman served the East Tennessean as executive editor from August 2018 to May 2020 and as a news reporter since 2017. She graduated from ETSU in May 2020 with her master's in Brand and Media Strategy. In 2018, she earned her bachelor's in Media and Communication, concentrating in journalism and advertising/public relations.

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