ABOUT PATH-J
PATH-J (Public Awareness Through Journalism) is a student-led initiative founded by Darby Yang, dedicated to expanding access to journalism education and empowering young people to become thoughtful storytellers and engaged citizens.
Guided by a four-pillar model—Learning, Access, Practice, and Civic Engagement—PATH-J bridges the gap between learning about media and actually creating it.
Mission
Public Awareness Through Journalism (PATH-J) aims to empower the next generation of journalists to think critically and engage with modern media. We bridge the gap between their curiosity and craft by providing resources, including professional journalists, publication opportunities, and educational materials. At PATH-J, we want every student to have the opportunity to tell their own story.
We envision a generation of young journalists who are curious, responsible, and socially aware—individuals who not only consume information, but also shape it.
PATH-J aims to inspire students to create their own media platforms—school newspapers, magazines, and independent publications—within their communities.
Vision
Values
Truth & Integrity — Prioritizing accuracy, fact-checking, and ethical responsibility
Curiosity & Inquiry — Encouraging questions, exploration, and critical thinking
Voice & Expression — Supporting students in developing and expressing their perspectives
Responsibility & Impact — Using journalism to foster awareness, empathy, and action
Collaboration & Community — Learning through teamwork, dialogue, and shared growth
Why Journalism?
In today’s world of information overload, misinformation, and rapidly evolving media, journalism is more important than ever.
According to the OECD, more than 70% of young people struggle to distinguish between fact, opinion, and advertising. At the same time, research from Pew Research Center shows that the majority of teenagers now rely on social media as their primary source of news—where information is often fragmented, biased, or unverified.
Studies from MIT further reveal that false information spreads significantly faster than the truth, highlighting the urgency of developing strong media literacy skills.
Recognizing this, UNESCO identifies media and information literacy as a fundamental competency for global citizens in the 21st century.
Learning journalism is therefore not just about writing—it is about understanding how information is created, identifying bias, and engaging critically with real-world issues. By introducing journalism early, PATH-J helps students become not only better communicators, but also more informed, responsible, and thoughtful participants in society.
Founder’s Note
Hey there! I’m Darby Yang, a junior at Milton Academy. Like you, I’m a student journalist. I write and edit for my school paper, The Milton Measure, and I’m an intern at Sampan, New England’s only Chinese and English newspaper. Since my first byline, I’ve realized that journalism is a learn-by-doing craft, but the path to do so is often unclear, especially if your school does not teach journalism or have a school paper. I hope PATH-J will help pave the way for student journalists like you to learn more about the journalism field in a newsroom of our own. Through interviews with professionals, free resources, and publication opportunities, your journey to journalism can start here.
Welcome to the newsroom! Let’s get writing.
Darby Yang
What we do
Covering reporting, writing, ethics, and storytelling
4-Week Journalism Workshop
A collaborative environment for pitching, interviewing, and editing
The Newsroom Experience
Conversations with journalists, editors, and experts
Monthly “Press Pass” Forums
Access to internships, competitions, and media opportunities
Resource Platform
A platform for students to publish and showcase their work
Student Publication
Team & Collaboration
PATH-J is a student-driven initiative supported by educators, journalists, and community partners.
We welcome collaborations with:
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Schools and student organizations
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Media professionals and mentors
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Community groups and local institutions
Together, we aim to expand access to journalism education and create meaningful opportunities for young storytellers.
Here are our partners: