Tag: mass media

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Written in 2024 and expanded in 2025

The rise of compulsory coding in education is more than a tech trend; it’s a philosophical shift. Rooted in yes-case/no-case theory, this evolving mandate reveals deeper questions about who decides what knowledge matters, and how that knowledge shapes society.

At the heart of this analysis are two key theorists: Jean Baudrillard and Michel Foucault, whose frameworks challenge how we define “truth” in a hyper-digital age. The “yes case” reflects State-sanctioned knowledge: structured, standardized, and enforced through educational policy. The “no case,” by contrast, represents self-selected, personally valued knowledge: the kind that escapes mainstream narratives.

This study asks a fundamental question: Are we becoming more like machines, or are machines becoming more like us?

Coding as a Philosophical Shift

Kissinger (2018) explored how the rise of artificial intelligence and compulsory coding in schools introduced new “habits of mind” into public discourse. This isn’t just about tech skills, it’s about technology taking on a dominant cultural role, shaping how we think, communicate, and learn.

Baudrillard and Foucault wrote their theories long before the full impact of digital competency and AI became visible. Yet, their work, particularly Baudrillard’s ideas on digital abstraction and hyperreality, helps explain what’s happening now.

Coding for all is framed not only as a digital literacy movement but as a “transfer effect” from the digital abstractions Baudrillard warned about back in 1993 and 1995. Computational thinking, ethical dilemmas, and unintended social consequences all converge to shape a world where technology isn’t just a tool; it becomes a worldview.

Digital Shadows and Hyperreality

One striking comparison from the study is Baudrillard’s “digital Plato’s Cave.” In this metaphor, reality is no longer perceived directly, but through Digital Shadows. He asks, “Why speak, when we can communicate?” A line that underscores how interfaces and platforms mediate our human experience.

The study also connects to David Harvey’s ideas on postmodernity, pointing to a major shift in culture, politics, and economics since the 1970s. As Harvey explains, communication has become more fragmented and complex, shaped by meta-languages, meta-theories, and shifting narratives. These trends are especially visible in how different industries, including education and media, engage with coding, AI, and tech policy.

A Personal Connection

My dissertation research focuses on technology access at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, particularly for students from marginalized communities. It’s a topic informed not just by theory but by lived experience, including my time as a journalist and opinion writer.

Today, the media landscape is saturated with content; a lot of it AI-generated, rarely reviewed by humans. This shift changes not only how we communicate, but what we communicate. Trust in sources has eroded. The American perspective on global issues is often misaligned with how the rest of the world sees us. And in many cases, digital “truths” have replaced real-world understanding.

Final Thoughts

As Elon Musk warned in his own discussions about AI, digital trickery is no longer science fiction. It’s already here. I know, me quoting Elon Musk is out there, but the quote fits. Musk’s concerns mirror Baudrillard’s fears that media and machines increasingly mediate reality until the real and the artificial are indistinguishable.

As schools incorporate coding into their curricula and AI continues to evolve, we must ask: Are we equipping students with tools for empowerment, or are we embedding them even deeper into a system of abstraction?

It’s a deeply philosophical issue. It gets bigger the more the digital divide grows.

References Cited

Baudrillard, J. (1995). Simulacra and simulation. In Body, in theory: Histories of cultural materialism. University of Michigan Press.

Foucault, M. (1972). The archaeology of knowledge and the discourse on language. Translated by Alan Sheridan Smith. New York: Pantheon Books.

Foucault, M. (1981). The order of discourse. In R. Young (Ed.), Untying the text: A post-structuralist reader (pp. 48–78). Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

Harvey, D. (2008). The Condition of Postmodernity. In S. Sideman & J. Alexander, The New Social Theory Reader (pp. 235–242). New York: Routledge.

Keenihan, S. (2017). Revealed today, Elon Musk’s new space vision took us from Earth to Mars, and back home again. In the conversation, Retrieved from: http://theconversation.com/revealed-today-elon-musks-new-space-vision-took-us-from-earth-to-mars-and-back-home-again-84837.

Kissinger, H. (2018). How the Enlightenment ends. Retrieved from: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/06/henry-kissinger-ai-could-mean-the-end-of-human-history/559124/

Matousek, M. (2018). Elon Musk is launching his Tesla Roadster into space to prove a point — But it’s also a brilliant marketing move. Retrieved from: https://sports.yahoo.com/elon-musk-launching-tesla-roadster-172511191.html

Schroeder, J. (2018). Toward a discursive marketplace of ideas: Reimaging the marketplace metaphor in the era of social media, fake news, and artificial intelligence. First Amendment Studies, 51(1–2), 38–60.

Rogers, C. (2018). Falcon Heavy launch leaves inspiration in its wake. Retrieved from: https://medium.com/@rogerstigers/falcon-heavy-launch-leaves-inspiration-in-its-wake-d186a1bdb8e7

Tamatea, L. (2019). Compulsory coding in education: liberal-humanism, Baudrillard and the ‘problem’ of abstraction. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, pp. 1–29.

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Print Capitalism, National Consciousness, and the Problem with Imagined Unity

Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism explores how nationalism itself is not an organic development, but a socially constructed phenomenon—an “imagined community” built through shared language, culture, and crucially, the rise of print capitalism.

It’s a fascinating idea: that nations are not bound by physical borders but rather by the stories we tell ourselves and each other. Citizens build a sense of belonging through newspapers, novels, and other printed materials, one that gives people the illusion of unity with others they would never meet in person. Anderson argues that this shared sense of identity, while powerful, is imagined. And like many imagined ideas, it can be wielded for both cohesion and control.

From Anderson’s perspective, the press plays a key role in this construction. Journalism becomes not just a source of information, but a vehicle for reinforcing nationalism. At its best, the media is supposed to serve as a societal watchdog. However, under capitalism, and particularly when a handful of billionaires control the press, those ideals are often replaced by narratives that serve power, not the people.

In the same way state-run media has shaped public perception in countries like North Korea, Vietnam, or China (as Anderson notes on pages 282–283), Western media, though less overtly controlled, often operates in similar ways. Ownership, agenda, and ideology filter what gets published, and who gets heard. The result? A narrative that normalizes colonization, glorifies the past, and renders oppression and exploitation invisible to the mainstream.

And even though much of the media we consume today is digital rather than printed, the impact remains. Words are still “printed” on screens, and they still construct a national identity; one that often leans heavily into conservative values, especially in the U.S., where Christianity and nationalism frequently go hand in hand.

Now, to be clear: having pride in your country isn’t inherently problematic. However, when a selective history and curated information shape national pride, things become murky. For example, in certain rural or conservative parts of the U.S., public school curricula are shaped by school boards that may actively omit or distort historical realities, glossing over colonization, slavery, and the actual mechanics of war. Omission doesn’t just limit education; it undermines the national consciousness that Anderson described. Without honest reflection, the “imagined community” becomes more myth than memory.

Capitalism and the Narrative of Truth

Ideologies such as Marxism and socialism were founded on principles of equity and solidarity. However, when capitalism becomes the dominant force behind the circulation of information—especially when profit and power are involved—those ideals can be easily co-opted. Greed alters the public narrative, and we see this play out in real time through today’s media coverage.

A Case Study in Media Framing

Take, for example, the ongoing starvation of Palestinian infants and children. A leaked internal memo from The New York Times in 2024 reportedly instructed journalists not to refer to Palestine as an “occupied territory” or to use terms like “genocide” in their reporting. Regardless of where one stands politically, it’s clear that such editorial decisions shape public perception. When specific terms are off-limits, it becomes harder for readers to access the full scope of the issue, and easier for a particular narrative to dominate the conversation. In this case, media objectivity is compromised in favor of language that supports nationalist or colonialist perspectives.

It’s not just about one conflict and its framing. It’s about how newsrooms, under the pressure of corporate and political interests, contribute to constructing national identity in ways that may exclude or silence others. They become complicit. When journalism becomes selective in its truth-telling, it undermines its purpose and reinforces a worldview that favors power over people.

The Tech-Nationalism Feedback Loop

Nationalism, as Anderson reminds us, is a modern invention. It evolves alongside technology, and as our means of communication become faster and more centralized, so too does the spread of nationalist ideology. We see this not just in the U.S., but in places like China, where digital firewalls and media censorship shape the public’s perception of national identity. There, access to platforms like Facebook or Instagram is restricted not only for security, but also to protect a specific narrative.

Secular Allegiance and the Flattening of Identity

Anderson also notes how nationalism can take on secular forms, replacing religious or ethnic affiliations with allegiance to the nation-state. In theory, this could be a unifying force; something that helps people move beyond divisions and find common ground. In practice, though, it often flattens identity, pushing marginalized communities to conform to dominant norms or risk exclusion.

Conclusion: Who Gets Left Out?

This tension between imagined unity and lived reality is perhaps the most pressing issue with nationalism today. When media and technology become tools of influence rather than inquiry, they no longer create bridges between people. They create barriers.

Anderson’s work doesn’t just help explain the origins of nationalism; it offers a lens for questioning the stories we’re told and the systems that tell them. It invites us to ask the following question: Who benefits from these imagined communities? Who gets left out of the story?

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April 6, 2024

Introduction

According to the Global Risk Report for 2022, released by the World Economic Forum, the first paragraph notes that the last 18 months have been marked by a cycle of rapid digitalization across industries. Although the climate crisis and debt crisis were the most pressing concerns in the survey, it is clear that other issues, both within and outside the office, will also exacerbate over time. Conservative school boards have become platforms for far-right agendas that undermine the interests of public education, students, parents, and administrators (Henrikson, 2023; Lambert, 2022). While expected to remain nonpartisan, school boards are alarmingly ideologically driven (Henrikson, 2023; Anderson, 2024). There needs to be more direction and accountability regarding values and ethics, highlighting the importance of compliance, as it enables informed decisions. The public’s voice matters the most for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) nonprofit Make Us Visible California.

“It [ethical leadership in education issues] proves how diverse California’s socio-political geography is, which MUV CA must contend against. A longer-term strategy for MUV CA will involve getting parents, teachers, and students involved in school boards.” Charles Joesph Sato Montesa, the director of MUV CA, stated. “We are trying to understand what we are dealing with here” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Far-right figures have utilized school boards as a vehicle for directing public education, affecting students, parents, and administrators in ways that are detrimental to all parties involved (Henrikson, 2023; Lambert, 2022). An ethical leader must adhere to the principles recognized by the majority as “sound foundations for the common good” (Kim et al., 2022). In Southern California, especially, far-right vitriol has also trickled down into school boards across the state. 

Across the state, school districts operate independently, allowing for different curricula to be taught (Montesa, March 4, 2024). According to Kok et al., aspects of the social responsibility framework require organizations to assess their social responsibility and public interest within their confines (Kok et al., 2001). “Working conditions, diversity and inclusion, organizational structure, management style, communication, transparency, education, and ethics awareness are all vital components of that framework” (Kok et al., 2001). However, these changes must be initiated locally by grassroots organizing. Grassroots organizations are the only way parents and advocates can help educators teach their children by influencing school boards.  Accountability must occur for the organizations that allow such hatred to creep into school boards and for the practices of book banning, forced outings of LGBTQ+ students, resistance strategies against trans rights in schools, and the elite manipulating school boards for their organizations to keep the working class under their control. To reduce the influence of right-wing ideology, we must resist the resistance that often goes unaddressed. 

Summary of Ethical Issues

There have been few cases of overrun school boards dealing with government agencies (Henrikson, 2023; Anderson, 2024), despite the requirement that government agencies be nonpartisan. To follow these values and ethics, discussing compliance is essential. Values and ethics depend on one another; without them, there is no ethics or compliance. 

According to photojournalist Kelly Stuart, it is damaging to show people how none of the school board’s current leadership is from “organic mamas; it is elites and people with tons of money trying to destroy the public school system” (Stuart, April 3, 2024). 

Multiple school districts face the same far-right agitators traveling to meetings and exerting their influence on malleable parents to convey their organization’s message in all forms. Some of the top influences include Erik Prince, Betsy DeVos, Ginny Thomas, and Justice Clarence Thomas (Stuart, April 3, 2024). When forced outing policies came to light in a couple of Southern California School Districts, the Rainbow Youth Coalition and lgbtq crisis Hotline saw a 600% rise in phone calls regarding feeling suicidal.

  Stuart calls the issues she reports on school boards a “war of chaos” (Stuart, April 3, 2024).  She never planned to have so much involvement as a photographer (Stuart, April 3, 2024). However, there is no agreement to disagree with these types of agitators, which started to emerge during the anti-vax movement of the COVID-19 pandemic (Stuart, April 3, 2024). They will not speak to the media unless they deem the reporter on their side (Stuart, April 3, 2024). “And if you are not, you are risking your life to report on them. It is scary. Some of these elite people can kill [you] and make [you] disappear,” she said (Stuart, April 3, 2024). 

Elements such as wealthy and influential people pulling the strings are why a change in ethics can no longer come from the top; change must start from the bottom (locally) and work its way up from there. According to Stuart, suicides did happen once these outing policies came into effect. Parents had to leave the districts where they lived, and some kids became homeless (Stuart, April 3, 2024). She mentioned that those policies have a tangible impact, although it is hard to put a face to the conflict since they are confidential crisis hotlines. It often takes parents from different school districts to compare notes and consistently attend these meetings to identify the agitators creating so much chaos within their districts for their children. While Governor Gavin Newsom has made an effort to require media literacy in the classroom (Carillo, 2023; Dirks, 2024), these policies are not being effectively implemented in the California Bible Belt. It is up to public education advocates and parents to do the job.

“The most important thing to do is to track the pattern and then show up [to the local council and school board meetings], and you know, be willing to follow them to the other places they are going. Call them out and tell them that they are not organic. Tell them they are continuing the AstroTurf grouping,” said Stuart (Stuart, April 3, 2024).

Australia has a formal system to promote compliance with its values statement and code of conduct (Kernaghan, 2003). The Public Service Act requires reporting to parliament on APS values and code compliance (Kernaghan, 2003). Agencies must have procedures in place to determine code breaches and impose sanctions, such as employment termination, salary reduction, and reassignment of duties (Kernaghan, 2003). 

These sanctions are not practiced when operating with school boards (Shah et al., 2022). Despite its underutilization, termination of employment is used chiefly as a nonpartisan measure to address values applicable only to those in significant leadership positions in the educational system (Shah et al., 2032). There needs to be a leadership overhaul that integrates core values into public service values (Mahoney et al., 2022). In Southern California, right-wing activism is having a significant impact on school boards with instances of censorship, book banning, racism, and violence against educators and activists. Stuart is one of many who emphasize the urgent need for scientific publication and long-term documentation of these developments, highlighting the role of organizations like the Council for National Policy and Turning Point USA in negatively impacting education (Stuart, April 3, 2024). It is important to discuss strategies with other parents for countering an AstroTurf group’s efforts to undermine the transgender community, including tracking patterns connecting with different communities and exposing their true intentions. They emphasize the importance of small group organizing and coordinating efforts with other school districts to share information and create a united front. 

Montesa believes it is essential (2024) to adopt a framework adaptable to all independent school boards. He said that meeting people where they already are is the best way to start addressing issues, especially those related to public education disparities (Montesa, March 4, 2024). Montesa finds that progress is held by “dynamics that happen amongst all marginalized communities, especially communities of color” (2024). “Where we can start to acknowledge our shared values is what brings communities together” (Montesa, March 4, 2024). 

“When we discuss visiting visibility, we want to close gaps. The issue is humanitarian, and we talk about stopping hate at the end of the day,” Montesa said. The key is to build bridges and understanding. We are on our way to doing that. In addition, marginalized groups often do not get their voices heard in schools” (Montesa, March 4, 2022).

Dimensions of Media Literacy in Ethics

Disseminating information to the public is at the heart of educational values. Believing in upholding the highest standards of public service is essential; it is the backbone of any honest and trustworthy society. Without it, no media literacy is available to students and their parents. This leads to a downtick in knowledge regarding many subjects prominent in post-high school years, especially on social media. One must reinforce the values that define us and strive to create an environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued (Wang et al., 2017). Informing public servants of their responsibilities and expectations, and fostering greater bipartisan support for shared objectives, can help them achieve their goals more meaningfully. One must prioritize avoiding partisan conflict, as it can overshadow more significant issues at hand (Kernaghan, 2003, p. 717). It is essential to engage in constructive dialogues that are respectful and focused on finding common ground rather than resorting to divisive and polarizing rhetoric. This approach can lead to more productive and meaningful discussions, helping us arrive at mutually beneficial solutions. (Kernaghan, 2003, p. 717). 

Regarding corporate social responsibility and environmental management, Alexander Dahlsrud considers multiple dimensions, such as the ecological dimension, the socio-economic stakeholder, and the voluntary dimension. The most important topics are social, economic, and voluntary. It is also important to note that, according to Khoury et al. (1999), corporate social responsibility refers to the corporation’s overall relationship with its stakeholders. These relationships include “employees, competitors, customers, owners, government suppliers, investors, and communities.” Social responsibility involves investment, community outreach, employee creation, employment relations, financial performance, and environmental stewardship (Khoury et al., 1999).  

Unfortunately, school board operations often disregard codes of conduct that impact media literacy education (Shah et al., 2023). In the education system, termination is typically a last resort, bypassing partisanship and focusing solely on values relevant to leadership roles (Shah et al., 2023). There is a need for a leadership paradigm shift that prioritizes core values aligned with public service principles (Mahoney et al., 2022).

Ways to Combat Right-Wing Extremism in Education

Moreover, there is a pressing need for comprehensive ethics training programs tailored specifically for school board members. These programs demonstrate the importance of making ethically informed decisions, resolving conflicts, and upholding the values of inclusivity and diversity within educational institutions. By equipping board members with the necessary skills and knowledge, they can navigate complex issues with integrity and fairness. Regarding the improvement of public education, Montesa finds that it takes more than one answer to find a valuable solution (March 4, 2024). 

“A lot has to do with attracting more diverse and qualified individuals to the school. It has to start from within our communities and begin with education” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Taking proactive steps to enact positive change within conservative school boards is necessary to address their ethical challenges. Firstly, enhanced oversight mechanisms should ensure that school board members uphold impartiality and prioritize the interests of all stakeholders. Protecting these interests could involve establishing independent review committees composed of diverse community representatives to monitor board decisions and hold members accountable for any deviations from ethical standards. 

It is crucial to select definitions that retain the social aspect and voluntariness. According to Van Marrewijk (2003), for a CSR strategy to be successful, the contacts should be tailored to each business. As a result, when discussing education, all dimensions must be addressed to ensure effective engagement with stakeholders, and the definition must apply to a variety of contexts, specifically within the realm of education. The education system is not a corporation, but as big as one. Therefore, it is vital to use harmony with the definitions and analyze them to find a definition that fits precisely for education and its social construct. 

Stakeholders and Corporate Social Responsibility Connection

Therefore, the social, environmental, and economic impacts are the biggest concern for stakeholders, especially considering that education is a government institution. The optimal approach to corporate social responsibility involves proactively identifying and addressing social issues before they escalate and taking responsibility for any actions that impact individuals, communities, or the environment. The Commission of European Communities outlined a comprehensive definition in 2001, describing it as a “voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns into a company’s operations and stakeholder interactions.” This multifaceted approach encompasses a range of relevant subtopics. According to the Business for Social Responsibility in 2000, corporate social responsibility involves “ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for people, communities, and the environment, contributing to sustainable business success” (IBLF, 2003; The Business of Social Responsibility, 2000). 

Responsibility and Values Regarding Ethics in Education

Kernaghan (2003) emphasized the importance of leadership in integrating the correct values into public service. Senior public servants should inspire a shared vision and lead by example. In contrast, leadership based on values and ethics is essential at senior levels (Kernaghan, 2003). Values should be encouraged at all levels of an organization with dispersed leadership roles to integrate public service and core values (Kernaghan, 2003). Learning points such as values, ethics, and principles, clarifying and clearing the clutter, building a firm foundation, and shining core values remain a part of the discussion (Kernaghan, 2003). Furthermore, how does one get compliance amongst those involved? 

Conclusion

In conclusion, parents and organizations are unethical in creating and targeting school boards to influence LGBTQ+ issues through organizations such as the Council for National Policy. These right-wing groups have expanded their efforts to manipulate school board meetings and controversies; however, parents resist these movements. Then, those groups, the right-wing groups, also resist the positive movements against them. Currently, parents in California who are resisting the anti-trans movement are sharing strategies for countering intimidation and misinformation. Some notable school districts include Glendale, Chino, Fontana, Murrieta, and Temecula (Castle, 2023; Carillo, 2023). Christy Hurst, a Los Angeles-based school administrator in Southern California, notes a 600% increase in calls to a crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth due to recent policies (Hurst, April 3, 2024). There is also an anonymous woman who maps connections between far-right groups and individuals who face daily death threats. Stuart, a photojournalist and mother in Los Angeles, consistently faces backlash and threats for reporting on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric (Stuart, April 3, 2024). Activists in Temecula, including Jen Reeves, have been facing severe harassment and vandalism due to their advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights (Reeves, April 3, 2024). Both Montesa and Stuart (2024) mentioned the importance that digital platforming and social media have in outing the ethical fallout created by the lack of media literacy in public education, which is causing a rise in violence against marginalized groups and those who speak for them (Montesa, March 4, 2024; Stuart, April 3, 2024).

“How else will you reach and grow an aggressive movement, if not word of mouth and social media? It is the new word of mouth, right? It is like how this is where people are, and I have seen so many people, but this is how you raise engagement across younger generations,” said Montesa (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Therefore, corporate social responsibility can aid social-emotional learning by fostering empathy and caring for others, a teaching tool that can be incorporated into various curricula and local education policies. It is essential to consider this as education programs play a crucial role in the movement towards involving and evolving children. Promoting accountability and transparency within school boards requires greater community engagement and dialogue. Forums and town hall meetings serve as regular feedback mechanisms, enabling community members to voice their concerns, provide input on key decisions, and hold board members accountable for their actions. 

“Too few people are making the decisions, and often, these people should not be making these decisions. We focus so much on pedigree and an [broken] education system that naturally gravitates to our primary schools. That is not right.” Montesa said (March 4, 2024). “I want to see a school system that the students, teachers, and parents lead” (Montesa, March 4, 2024).

Furthermore, revisiting the process of selecting school board candidates could also lead to positive outcomes. Utilizing social media is necessary to further community engagement among Generation Z and older generations due to literacy differences (Hassoun et al., 2023; Hyman, 2021).

“Social media is compelling. [I] took a photo of this Glendale school board candidate named Jordan Henry, who was at a huge rally and standing next to a bunch of Proud Boys (white nationalists). That photo tanks him. It showed him with, like, [fascist] people in masks…it made him look bad,” said Stuart. “And that photo was everywhere; everybody took it and put it everywhere…he lost the race badly. So, the most important thing for parents to do for people who are resisting or allies is to watch the patterns or the pattern” (Stuart, April 3, 2024).

Implementing transparent and merit-based selection criteria and robust vetting procedures can help ensure that individuals with a genuine commitment to public education and ethical leadership are elected to serve on the board, as administration leaders, and as educators (Thompson, 2016; Wang et al., 2017). Overall, the emotional and social behavioral impacts of conservative school boards can create barriers to students’ holistic development, perpetuate inequalities, foster less inclusive environments, and provide fewer examples of media and health literacy, while also being supportive of diverse identities and experiences (Papp-Zipernovszky et al., 2021). Addressing the impacts of far-right board members requires promoting equity, empathy, and respect for all members of the school community (Anderson, 2024; Henrikson, 2023).

References

Anderson, J. (2024, February 29). The movement is making changes in public schools. Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/24/02/movements-making-change-public-schools 

Carrillo, S. (2023, November 24). California joins a growing movement to teach media literacy in schools. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/24/1215152769/california-joins-a-growing-movement-to-teach-media-literacy-in-schoolsLinks to an external site.

Castle, C. (2023, December 3). A community recall effort targets the Temecula School Board. LA Public Press. https://lapublicpress.org/2023/12/temecula-school-board-racist-recall/

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Robin Henrikson (2023). Preparing School Boards for Sustainable Leadership: How Does Your State’s Policy Equip School Board Members?, Leadership and Policy in Schools, DOI: 10.1080/15700763.2023.2265449

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Papp-Zipernovszky, O., Horváth, M. D., Schulz, P. J., & Csabai, M. (2021, April 13). Generation gaps in digital health literacy and their impact on health information seeking behavior and health empowerment in Hungary. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.635943/full

Reeves, J. (2024, April 3). Right-Wing Extremism in Temecula and Murrieta, California: An Interview with Jennifer Reeves.

Shah, P., Weinschenk, A., & Yiannias, Z. (2023). Schoolhouse Rocked: Pandemic Politics and the Nationalization of School Board Elections. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 1–11. doi:10.1017/spq.2023.28

Stuart, K. (2024, April 3). Exploring the Changes in School Board Ethics with Right-Wing Extremism: An Interview with Kelly Stuart.

Thompson, C. S. (2016, November 30). Teachers’ expectations of educational leaders’ leadership approach and perspectives on the principalship: Identifying critical leadership paradigms for the 21st century. Journal of Organizational and Educational Leadership. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1144811

Wang, V. C. X., Bain, B., Hope, J., & Hansman, C. (2017). Educational leadership and organizational management: Linking theories to practice. Information Age Publishing. ISBN: 9781681235134.

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Photos Courtesy of Mana.Alaksa on Instagram, 2023.

Transformational leadership characterizes itself through ethical behavior that empowers diverse communities nationwide. It is something one would expect to innovate over time, especially within the cultural diaspora. Applying authentic leadership and a transformative nature encompasses nonprofit organizations that do not seek financial gain to achieve their goals, complete their projects, and deal with other situations. Integrating ethical leadership, morality, and authenticity can help communities grow (Bauch, 2006). When using the concept for the goals set forth, complexities become understanding to others. According to Northouse’s book on Leadership Theories (2022), “[conceptualizing] is the capacity that gives leaders the power to analyze a multitude of problems and solve them without any creative sacrifices in the process” (p. 261). Shayne Nuesca, M.S., is the subject of the following paper. A recent Syracuse University alumni, Shayne Nuesca, is a Content Strategist and one creator of the “Mana.Alaska” and “SPRHDRS” media collectives. Nuesca’s projects, such as “Mana, The History We Inherit,” are the first collection from the collective, bringing together past and present experiences of those with Filipino culture, particularly in Alaska. While Filipinos have settled in Alaska for some time, many of their stories are untold. As a natural storyteller, Nuesca found like-minded individuals to work as a team to tell stories through various mixed methods of oral stories, art, and photojournalism. This project started from the ground up in the past year and found success through communication and cultural community building. The goal was to target the Filipino diaspora in the Alaskan community and manage to reach other urban centers across the nation. It is excellent to learn from someone such as this regarding educational outreach in multiple literacy forms. Some characteristics of a leader, like Nuesca, are someone who passes down knowledge to others (Wang, 2016), including a “commitment to shared goals and being a visionary that takes the program to new heights; emotional intelligence, such as empathy and expert authority in teaching, also play a role in closing theoretical gaps in organizational practice” (Wang, 2016, p. 82). Like research skills, digital skills play one of the most vital roles in connecting to diverse audiences online in a meaningful capacity. This paper explores the topics of authenticity, ethics, and the connection to organizational culture in education. Nuesca’s framework, according to Northouse (2022), aligns with authentic leadership, involving servant, pragmatic, and theoretical approaches.

Leadership and Strategic Challenges of the Interview Situation

Much of it was on the groundwork when supplemented with digital platforms. It is clear from considering both Burns’s perspective on leadership roles and higher education perspective that ethical leadership embeds itself in the morality of a leader that impacts a follower; therefore, more work is necessary in terms of creating a leadership theory that passes down critical thinking to other incoming leaders (Northouse, 2022, p. 430; Bacon & Byfield, 2018; Burns, 1978). Due to systemic discrimination, hyper-urban and rural areas remain disconnected from other geographic locations (Carbajal, 2018). Authors found that many technological issues relate to the ability to access stable data for extended periods (Greene & Murphy, 2021). Therefore, innovators like Nuesca continue to innovate ways to bypass obstacles in front of her vision for creating a cultural community beyond borders. According to Northouse (2022), transformative and adaptive leadership align directly with diversity, equity, and inclusion, necessities within most structural systems. Although DEI is still a rapidly developing subject, it is necessary to create profound changes in a highly patriarchal and transactional culture that lacks the soft skills, compassion, and empathy to lead others through meaningful teamwork building.

“I think I got to a point where to be completely candid, I just got tired of working for people. In a way, it came to a point where it was like, what type of legacy does one want to leave behind?” Nuesca said in a virtual Zoom interview (2023). As someone whose resume includes the Alaskan state government and, most recently, an NPR news affiliate, she says that what primarily drives her is the ability to leave something behind in a “meaningful way, in a valuable way for my community” (S. Nuesca, Nov. 10, 2023). Open discourse in a particular field can make a huge difference, especially in communication. Communication is rooted in community; empathy and compassion for humanity go hand in hand with a humble, authentic leadership style. It is clear that organizational culture sets standards for behavior in employees that determine their leadership behavior; thus, a relationship between “authenticity, morality, and organizational cultures aligns accordingly” (Schein, 1985). Northouse found that authentic leadership differentiates into broader aspects of observation. One is called a pragmatic approach; the other is called a theoretic approach (2022). Nuesca kept both approaches in mind as she maneuvered a new field while using her journalism and leadership skills to create a collective free of toxic positivity.  

Assessment of Organizational and Strategic Dynamics of the Situation

Because of the fast-paced changes in almost every industry, many leaders and business owners had to pivot to continue making a positive community impact, regardless of ways of communication. What other leadership factors may be necessary to consider now for effective management? Like all the other news organizations she worked with over the past few years, that is like understanding user habits about Alaska newsreaders. There is a level of disinformation that we have to sift through. When misinformation or disinformation pops up, it spreads rapidly, and one must correct it quickly. However, it takes a lot of research, outreach, and understanding of user behaviors to be an exceptional leader. Empirical studies have shown that when educators matched servant leadership with followers who desired it, this type of leadership positively impacted performance and organizational citizenship behavior (Otero-Neira et al., 2016; Ozyilmaz & Cicek, 2015). An essential leadership and followership challenge to address is equity in accessibility. Digital literacy in leadership is far more prominent as a challenging skill rather than a soft skill. This essay aims to present a concise overview of the significant aspects of the interview on leadership conducted and to rely on critical thinking to verify the data against other research. Moral, relational transparency is all about openness to sharing one’s authentic self, actual thoughts and feelings, and internalized moral perspective (Northouse, 2022; Azanza et al., 2013). Furthermore, according to (Northouse, 2022), letting go of characteristics such as egoism, utilitarianism, and more is essential. It is imperative not to have a selfish mindset when taking on roles that pass down skills one has learned to others (Northouse, 2022, p. 427).

Specific Leadership-Focused Recommendations and Approaches

Consider the scenario below from a step-by-step management approach, such as a strategic “long-term” permanent solution versus a “resolution of immediacy.” Both servant and authentic leadership drive the influence of organizational culture. The relationship between flexible cultures and authenticity, honesty, and transparency relates to employees at an internal level that should be stimulating (Azanza, G., 2013). With the rise of new companies and their subsequent growth, it is evident that management will always be needed. Those who maintain a business find themselves in higher education first. Therefore, one should always want the right people in management, as the best leaders have the most productive followers who also turn into influential leaders. It cannot just be anybody, especially when passing lifelong knowledge to new generations. Strong managers possess significant critical thinking skills, and one of the best leadership theories to derive from is servant, authentic, and ethical leadership. Mumford’s (2000) competency criteria for a leader include skills essential for a positive workplace to sustain itself successfully.  There is more than one list of what translates to being a strong, competent leader (Mumford et al., 2000). That is why Nuesca (2023) focuses on audience engagement and community leadership as one concept. Conceptualizing in management refers to the servant leader’s thorough understanding of the organization’s purposes, complexities, and mission. “This capacity allows servant leaders to think through multifaceted problems, know if something is wrong, and address problems creatively per the organization’s overall goals” (Northouse, 2022, p. 261). Nuesca (2023) cites consistent, organic growth with remote communities in Alaska, which can have validity for other states needing digital and media literacy. Nuesca (2023) knows there is a way that you can communicate with people so that they do not feel shut down or isolated in those situations. 

“And I think the nice thing about Mana and SPRHDRS is that they are like a collective because they are a group of us. Thus, being more open to people’s ideas provides the space for that because it is a group working toward one thing. Thus, it was in a better space to kind of foster that.” Furthermore, it was unlike any time she spent as a follower in an organization. Nuesca’s success in community engagement and outreach is detailed, showcasing the strategic use of digital platforms and organic campaigns to expand the collective’s reach. Trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk, and success in leadership behavior are emphasized.

“Team-wise, it [Mana] started with three, and then we expanded to about 15. Furthermore, that is, on the content and events side of things. We had zero stories this time last year. Then we expanded that to about 30. Then, 17 made it to the museum. We had no expectations for our launch event. We thought that it would just be like us and maybe 50 people. We had 50 chairs, right? We have 50 chairs in that atrium, and 1500 people came,” Nuesca cited her first museum curation with the state as a success of servitude in leadership (2023). “So I think we could only get a sense of our reach, just like a small sense of our reach on digital. We had worked on some digital, like organic campaigns on Instagram, and Facebook and all of that” (S. Nuesca, 2023). Behavior associated with trust, interdependence, genuineness, empathy, risk, and success will lead to more beneficial and productive results. Being an effective leader requires knowing how to get things done. The collective gained unanimous support from the Filipino American National Historical Society, Alaska Chapter.

Executive Summation of Key Leadership and Related Factors

While their following on Instagram is modest, it is clear that only some things are about one’s number of followers. It takes a strong team with a strategic leader who knows what obstacles are ahead and how to solve them. For significant societal displacement impacting many communities, building a community is essential. “I think we only had 300 followers on Instagram before that weekend. And then our Facebook is laughable. The beginning was laughable. There were about 50 people who were interested in our content, but it ended up being that the word got out through the community. Also, folks are sharing our stuff without asking, so we did not account for that,” says Nuesca. Northouse (2022) allows followers to identify with something greater than they value. Followers became effective at accomplishing their jobs and fulfilling their job descriptions. “And I was adamant that we ended up on there, no matter where we were in the paper. That is another example of seeing things through and contributing to the common goal. And that was to get as many people as possible at the museum, whether 50 or 100 or 1500,” Nuesca said. “So I think supplementally, the digital stuff was just that, supplemental to our outreach. However, we used it to inform our decisions, like how we would approach folks, where we would post up, and what events we would do to promote the exhibit. So it was not like, yeah, it was not all for naught,” says Nuesca. “I had put out a press release. Two people replied, but another email went to the managing editor, and they finally listened. We sent this press release two weeks ago, but here is why the public would miss out if this does not get news coverage” (S. Nuesca, Nov. 10, 2023).

Conclusion

Servant leadership also affects the way organizational teams function. Furthermore, digital and online literacy are essential for leaders of the 21st century. Different leadership theories, such as servant leadership, require an ethical response, authenticity, transparency, and an open mind adaptable to daily challenges (Northouse, 2022). Nuesca cites word of mouth through the Filipino community and persistence that landed her collective a front page in the state newspaper. “I tend to be like a driver regarding leadership style. One needs to see things through. We [the collective] wanted it to be in the Anchorage Daily News because that is the paper of record for the state,” Nuesca said. Besides serving, Greenleaf (1970) states that a servant leader also has a social responsibility to care for the marginalized. According to Northouse (2022), transformative and adaptive leadership align directly with diversity, equity, and inclusion, which is necessary within the educational system. “We do not see ourselves as having one person in charge or one leader. So, it is a collective, which speaks to just cultural values like Filipino cultural values, as everything has to be done with a collective approach to the community goals. So that has driven us [Mana] the most,” Nuesca said. “Somebody flew up from California just to see this exhibit in the hallway in some museum in Anchorage, Alaska. This fact is a testament to just our team.” In becoming a servant leader, a leader uses less institutional power and control while shifting authority to those following the leadership (Graham, 1991).

In Mana, The History We Inherit, members of the collective share their past and current experiences with Filipino culture, particularly in Alaska. Despite Filipinos’ long presence in Alaska, many of their stories are untold. Nuesca brought together like-minded individuals to tell stories through oral stories, art, and photojournalism. Communication and community building started from scratch last year and were crucial to this project’s success. Despite their modest number of followers on Instagram, it is clear that only some things are about numbers. Inheriting stories in real-time to bring permanence to them through various art mediums is vital for Filipino communities as their elders are highly regarded for their learned knowledge over generations. In summary, servant leadership and community building interconnect in the context of cultural growth. By prioritizing service, empathy, and the development of individuals, servant leaders contribute to creating a connected web of a positive and inclusive community within an organization, fostering cultural growth and sustainability.

References

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Photo by alleksana on Pexels.com

Say bye to the problematic personalized news feature.

For the average consumer, it will be considered a win for privacy. Today, the company silently turned off their “Personal News” feature on their Google Assistant. 

The end of another Google AI-based program impacts the Android community and Google product users at home. While a standard news feature remains on the Google Nest Mini (6:30 on a Friday), there’s no reasoning behind why it’s gone, according to a report from The Verge. As far as consumers go, many are left to wonder what’s next for the tech giant.

Google’s met their fair share of concern over privacy–or lack thereof–regarding their AI projects. On top of security concerns, there’s also the concern about not controlling your news feed. There’s the concern of fake news hitting the airwaves.

And through it all, top media organizations continue to create short headlines for Google. Some outlets abandoned the route entirely–while engagement through audio remains the oldest living mode of communication.

Forty-one percent of Americans are listening to regular podcasts, a study with Pew Research Center found. Another 83 percent of the public listens to traditional radio. 

An algorithm isn’t currently capable of producing audio-rich news for a large audience demographic. Since the need for audio production is still growing in the digital sector, maybe Google will introduce something new. 

We are finally saying goodbye to a nosy, algorithmic news option that has operated since 2019. Soon, another algorithm will take its place. The goal? To better serve their audience.

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I’ve went from print journalism to marketing, public relations, advertising and back again. For now, I’m trying to stay in the social media manager realm because it allows me to write blogs.

Meaning I get to exercise my journalistic creativity on the regular. But seriously though, I cannot express enough how underpaid and undervalued I am as a content creator. I’m marketing a brand to retain clients and often I’m still stuck cleaning a break room.

How can I continue to create an organic outreach that reaches real customers when I’m not taken seriously?

This is why I’m in school. I’m kind of hoping that with the next tier of degree in my life, I’ll get taken a little more seriously. I want to help companies grow and I’m generally not given the resources or time to make that genuine connection happen.

Unfortunately living in the metropolitan area that would see my value in Southern California is a six-figure endeavor. I’m talking like, almost a quarter of a million dollars a year just spent on living comfortably.

And I’m not at that point in my life yet. I don’t know if I’ll ever be close. It seems like my generation really got the short end of the stick and somehow it was so bad that the impact has trickled down to literally everyone except the 1 percent.

Connecting to an audience in a prolific way is something that I crave. I constantly find myself reading these feel good stories but the problem here is that they’re all bandaids for some kind of poor practice. There’s better ways to connect to an audience.

I like to do it in writing because I have social anxiety. But then that anxiety took over my words too. Being in this program has really changed me. It’s caused me to become more humble but to also see that I’m worth more than minimum wage.

Journalism is the core of the communications field. The digital convergence that happens with public relations, marketing and advertising is propelled by media convergence. I have always felt like journalists are held to a higher standard than anyone else. This is because the public trusting us is vital to democracy.

We need to strive to do better. I will never not express how important it is to keep going for the optimum outcome. I know that not everyone in the Newhouse School is there for a journalism degree. Some might hate writing entirely. But when we all work together and pay mind to the ethics behind our careers, our lives are a little bit easier.

I hope I can take the inspiration I draw from this program and really make a difference in the world through telling news via different mediums. I’ve always been a writer. A poet too. But there’s an urgency I feel regarding closing the gap that is the digital divide by exposing misinformation and promoting social awareness as our whole world inches further into the future.

I feel like I really understand why good marketing, advertising, PR and journalism will always go hand in hand with each other. One cannot function without the other in our realm.

The amount of mediums is way too many to count and hard to keep track. Right now I’m loving podcasts because it’s a really old idea with a modern twist attached to it.

Multimedia is this whole different ballgame that really gives writers new and creative ways to tell the stories that they write. If journalists like myself can’t keep up with that, we’re going to slowly lose the media literacy we’ve grown to have.

Digital convergence isn’t going to stop, so we need to hop on the bandwagon and ensure that what does come out is used to the fullest extent of the product or service’s capabilities.

Having a free press is my everything. It’s a gift unlike any other. It’s used as a curse, in some situations. I respect it above all else though, always. If more people lose their respect towards this profession, we’re going to see more open hatred across the board.

I feel like so many demographics have been looked over until recently. And this new wave of marketing towards the younger generations through the likes of big data collection is super creepy. Highly intriguing to watch change happen so quickly though.

Who would’ve known that AARPANET would turn into this massive worldwide conglomerate that corporations are fighting to control the access to? A social awakening is happening that is only going to continue to grow.

As human behavior continues to change, we’re currently seeing something unlike anything that’s been recorded by historians before. It’s not Ancient Aliens or anything, but it’s still pretty great.

The ways culture is portrayed across the world is solely because the internet is here to allow for mass sharing. I’m all here for it. Let’s keep sending memes.

It’s so hard to say what else lies in the future. I’m kind of hoping that eventually I’ll have some brain implant that’ll allow a laptop to type my thoughts for me since my carpal tunnel will probably eventually take my hands out.

Other than that, all I can do is hope that there will be some regulations that will keep customization convenient and 75 percent less invasive. Wait no, maybe like 95 percent less invasive. I’m hoping for the best.

Kind of seems like we’re living in a dystopian universe already though. At least we’re all in this together, right?

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Nov. 9, 2016. The day after Presidential Candidate Donald J. Trump was elected into office brought heightened demonstrations across the nation. Groups of protestors set their sights on vandalizing media property in Los Angeles. Photo by Ashlyn Ramirez.

President Trump’s win over former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is something that has not only left a permanent distaste for diehard progressives– it’s also the cause of newfound yellow journalism.

But this is my opinion. Take it how you will.

Journalists are here to report the truth without bias. But the Trump Administration has hurled a cesspool of vitriol for the past three years at anyone who has questioned them.

People have been fired. People have been hurt because of misinformation. That damage is irreparable. Does this mean that journalism has become saturated?

No one thought that another country would pierce the soul of democracy here. Unfortunately that’s exactly what happened. And with the recent findings behind Trump trying to coax Ukraine’s president into another election fraud, journalists like me are wondering how this is going to impact the future later.

I read in one of my textbooks that over 200,000 journalists have been laid off since the early 2000’s. As far as this year goes, about 7,200 journalists have been laid off so far.

Once I joined the Daily Titan, Cal State Fullerton’s student newspaper, I was made well aware of how the term “fake news” would change my future.

A closeup of Pro-Trump demonstrators’ signs on Cal State Fullerton’s campus March 13, 2017. President Trump hadn’t even been in office for three months. Photo by Ashlyn Ramirez.

Yes, I’ve been directly called this tasteless term, over this article linked here that I wrote. It’s insulting and dehumanizing as a student to see those leading your country effectively making your career more hostile and violent.

In fact, I had an entire Letter to the Editor written about a basic new piece I wrote almost three years ago. It was so crass that the editorial board heavily redacted it. We were flabbergasted. At this point, I can’t even find it online anymore. I guess it was that bad.

Part of this happened because I was a crucial asset to the editorial section–and also wrote countless opinion pieces that often denounced President Trump. The entire student body–or at least whoever read the paper– knew my name then. Speaking out as not only a journalist but a journalist of color has become increasingly harder over such a short period of time.

Video footage from a Pro-Trump demonstration–just months after the Trump Administration took office.

Writing those pieces has given me jobs. It’s also caused many to turn me away, especially in a part of California that isn’t even close to being blue. But even those that are blue can lack media literacy all the same.

Opinion is not news and it never has been. How much more can be done to inform a reader about what’s fact and what’s not?

Sure, you can throw a disclaimer on a piece. You can write that this is an opinion article. And it’s unlikely you’ll see an opinion piece grace the front page smack in the middle anyways.

However, you’re only going to see what your thoughts will allow. Just like those currently in power.

To this day, our President insists on attacking any news media that is not considered conservative. It’s disgusting and vile. It’s a very real threat to the First Amendment, our human rights and our democracy.

This is how the media became saturated to the point of a pop culture joke. Blogging exacerbated the lack of source credibility and those that aren’t fond of our country saw our weakness and took advantage of it. That’s why fighting back against “fake news” is more important than ever. But it’s a match that can only be strategically won.

No one knows everything. Even the media. That’s why objectivity and research are vital to make a sound, informed opinion. And then it’s time to spread information–fact checking is everything. Even if the current administration doesn’t care for any of it.

“Fake news” is a term that an entire newsroom will either laugh or roll their eyes at. But since the general public lacks the media literacy needed to really differentiate from what’s legitimate and what’s not, it’s a problem that has to be addressed through the next generations.

It’s going to take more than writing in your Twitter bio that your opinions don’t represent your work. Without passing down media literacy to the public, there’s no way journalism is going to ride out this wave.

It’s going to get messy. Even other countries are feeling the burn.

Trying to start a journalism career in a rapidly changing industry is hard enough. Once you add the threat of yellow journalism into the mix, things start to get more complicated. Combating a monster that was probably created through the acts of Russia and various Republican representatives was something no one ever thought would be a thing.

Now, what does this mean for future elections? The key to changing everything is awareness, facts and voting. Without any of these things, a president can become a tyrant. Just like how the government relies on checks and balances, journalists have to rely on their ethics. Everyone’s a skeptic. It’s a journalist’s job to localize and humanize their writing for the general public to pay attention.

I was taught to not even register to vote. Old school journalists take ethics to a level that isn’t really seen anymore. It’s something that future journalists must keep in mind. Times are changing with us, but our core stays the same. Yellow journalism has been around for quite some time and we, as journalists, have to get craftier at handling it.

Those that utilize the internet and social media to spread their views ultimately push credible sources out the window. It’s to the point where many people have become so skeptical that science isn’t even something they want to believe in.

This is a problem that can only be fixed with understanding reality.

The next time you see an aunt or uncle on Facebook posting links to bogus news sites, don’t call them out in person. If you can, teach through education. Not everyone is going to listen to sources that don’t cater to their needs, but there’s always a middle ground to stand on while defending yourself.