Op-Ed

DELAND, Fla. — Mar. 31, 2025

There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen—unfortunately, this sentiment perfectly surmises the long 70 days it has been at the time of writing this article. The first 100 days of any presidential administration are any journalist’s bread and butter, giving them the chance to report on any changes, queries or scandals that may arise from this recurring transitional period. However, this 47th cycle of presidency has left many journalists hung up on the future of their education, their publications, their legacy and their livelihoods. 

[insert paragraphs of factual reporting lol] 

Oh, little latin girl? Little latin girl in a press pass, why are you crying?

I can say that from my short tenure as a student journalist, that these changes put me in a tricky spot. Ever since I was a young girl, I always looked up to media greats like NPR and PBS, hoping that one day I would be able to find myself behind that screen or speaker somehow, whether it be as a writer, reporter, host or something similar. I’ve been working with what you could call “small media outlets” since I was in fifth grade. From working at my PK-8th’s school newscast as a cameraman, reporter, anchor and telecaster, to writing for collegiate publications and onward, institutions dedicated to accessibility to media have changed my trajectory of life for the better. Coming from a mixed language family, I was privileged enough to have PBS to guide me well on my reading and writing skills, giving me the foundations i needed to become a good writer. 

I am disappointed in my peers on the right who have always been “free speech warriors” themselves. I am disappointed in my peers on the left who are doing little to nothing to combat this injustice. This is not some stance that you can place on a political compass and scrutinize me for, freedom of the press and freedom of speech