EDITORIAL: When billionaires meddle in media, democracy pays the price

Share: In a time when democracy faces unprecedented threats, the decision by the billionaire owners of the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post to suppress their own editorial boards’ endorsements of Kamala Harris is alarming. This move, framed as a gesture toward journalistic objectivity, reveals a deeper, more troubling erosion of press freedom and accountability. As student journalists, we believe that this silence, enforced by the publications’ billionaire owners, is a far more significant political statement than any endorsement could ever be. This editorial …

Banning cellphones isn’t the answer—digital literacy is

Share: Assembly Bill 3216, renamed the Phone-Free School Act, requires that every school district, charter school and county office of education develop a policy limiting the use of smartphones by July 1, 2026. While the bill is a step in the right direction for addressing the potential harms caused by unrestricted cell phone use in schools. We need to recognize that smartphones are not going away. Instead of fighting this reality, schools should focus on teaching students how to use them responsibly. Digital literacy programs …

You can’t take Chappell Roan’s privacy HOT TO GO!

Share: It is pretty disturbing that Chappell Roan has had to put out multiple statements on Instagram and TikTok asking fans to respect her boundaries. The narrative swirling around on X that because of Roan’s refusal to tolerate stalking and abuse from fans, she’s not really cut out to be a “pop girlie” is absurd and incredibly upsetting. In any other scenario, it would be incomprehensible to protest to the boundaries of a stranger in this way, but since Chappell has now reached “celebrity” status, …

It Ends With Blake Lively: Hold celebrities accountable for their bad behavior

Share: In a scandal that’s recently taken over the internet, Blake Lively has been under fire for her promotion of her new film “It Ends with Us” and understandably so as the actress has put more effort into her wardrobe than educating herself or her audience about domestic violence.  “Grab your friends, wear your florals,” said Lively in an ad for the movie. This is just one of the many tone deaf comments Lively has made during the film’s media tour and it doesn’t reflect …

The reality behind reality TV is more grim than you think

Share: Since their inception, television and film have always somewhat functioned as a mirror held up to our current society, often reflecting where we are as a culture. In light of the three “Love Island” actors who took their lives in the past few years, as well as a third recent “Love Is Blind” contestant who is currently in the process of suing Netflix for traumatic experiences on the set, it has begun to raise many questions regarding the ethicality of reality television. Despite the …

Mickey Mouse ring or chokers: Haters won’t let the Dodgers win

Share: Even if you aren’t a fan of baseball, most people should know who the Los Angeles Dodgers are. A team filled with a rich history, consistent winning, and passionate fans, how can one not know about this team?  When you’re as popular as the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, or Cubs, it’s easy to gain a large group of haters who wish nothing but pain and misery on that team. As a matter of fact, the Los Angeles Dodgers are ranked as the #1 most …

‘Beat LA’ is actually good for LA

Share: “Beat LA! Beat LA! Beat LA!” This is a chant that Los Angeles sports fans are all too familiar with. Some fans are annoyed with it, while others think of it as the biggest compliment.  Typically, teams like the 49ers, Giants, Padres, and Celtics are the main ones who enjoy chanting this when hosting a Los Angeles team. I believe the chant is a great thing for the city for many reasons.  The chant originally started back in 1982, during the Eastern Conference Finals …

West End’s new Juliet doesn’t owe you beauty

Share: The internet has gone crazy with misogyny, racism, and featurism over the casting of Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet in Jamie Lloyd’s “Romeo and Juliet” play. Time and time again, the internet seems to find a woman of color to criticize for her non-European-centric features. With Avantika Vandanapu receiving immense amounts of hate for a fan-cast of a Rapunzel remake that wasn’t even confirmed, and both Rachel Zegler and Halle Bailey receiving backlash for simply not being white, it is becoming evident that women of …

A loving family doesn’t have to start with marriage

Share: As the story goes, women can’t do anything without getting shamed and criticized. Each day consists of faulting women on something new that is either out of their control or not of their preference. When a woman chooses to embark on a life unparalleled to the traditional way, it’s considered wrong and sinful in the eyes of what may feel like a stronger judgment.  Earlier this week, an Instagram mutual of mine made a post to her story that negatively targeted women who get …