Editor’s Notebook -- James Meier

I wasn’t the most outgoing person in high school. In fact, after

school every day, the very few things I’d do were bettering the school

newspaper, hanging out with friends and writing essays for classes. And,

outside of those activities, I didn’t think about much more.

That’s what makes me so envious of what Kellie Brownell accomplished

this week. Many of you haven’t heard of Kellie, but if she wants that to

be the case, you will.

You see, Kellie’s the editor of the Newport Harbor High School

newspaper, the Beacon. The impressive junior went out of her way to

create and host a panel composed of professional journalists -- John

Beaupre of KPFK radio; Larry Pryor of the USC Annenberg School for

Communication Online program; Michelle Gile of KCAL 9; Teryl Zarnow of

the Orange County Register; and me.

On Tuesday, about 50 parents and students -- many of them on the

Beacon’s staff -- attended the event where we journalists discussed

“Journalism’s role in creating social change” and answered audience

questions.

Not only does it impress me that Kellie arranged such a panel, which

is no small feat, but that she also attracted as many audience members as

she did. To me, listening to a handful of journalists sounds like a great

time, but to a bunch of teens, I could imagine there are much more

attractive activities out there -- watching the Winter Olympics to name

one.

By now, Kellie’s probably blushing a bit, so I’ll stop talking about

her in just a second. Before that, I must point out that she’s also one

of the Daily Pilot’s Student Outlook columnists, so watch for her monthly

columns on Tuesdays in the Community Forum section.

All right, for those who couldn’t catch the discussion panel Tuesday

but are curious about the topic, let me fill you in.

When it comes to journalism’s role in creating social change, I can

only speak for print journalism and, specifically, newspapers. The

two-part answer, for the most part, is simple.

First, when it comes to the articles you read on the front page and in

the newspaper, the only goal is to present a balanced take on a certain

issue, whether it be at a City Council or school board meeting, in a

courtroom, at an event or wherever. We aren’t out to shape opinion on

these issues in our articles.

Second, though, we are out to create change through our editorials and

columns because those are the appropriate mediums in doing so. So, if you

read one of our editorials or columns, pay heed and act appropriately.

Just kidding.

Just like any of you reading this, we have our opinions, but we know

where and when those are appropriate. And vice versa. It’s simply our

job, and we hope you appreciate it.

And I hope all of you appreciate people who go out of their way to

make things happen. Kellie Brownell’s actions certainly warrant it, and,

now, we can only expect great things to come from her. I tried to stop

talking about her, but she’s definitely a teen who has great promise in

her present and future.

* James Meier is the assistant city editor and Community Forum editor.

He can be reached at (949) 764-4324 or by e-mail at o7

james.meier@latimes.comf7 .