Democracy Day

On September 15, 2024, student journalists across Utah joined newsrooms nationwide for the third annual U.S. Democracy Day, a collaborative reporting effort dedicated to strengthening democracy through journalism. Coinciding with the International Day of Democracy, this initiative brought together more than 400 news organizations, including major media outlets, nonprofit newsrooms, and college journalists, to spotlight the challenges and opportunities facing democracy today.

As part of the Utah College Media Collaborative, student reporters from Salt Lake Community College, Southern Utah University, the University of Utah, Utah Tech University, and Weber State University worked together to provide in-depth coverage of key issues affecting Utah’s democratic landscape. From voting access and civic engagement to misinformation and political discourse, their reporting aimed to inform, empower, and engage their communities at a pivotal moment in American history.

With 2024 shaping up to be a landmark year for democracy, the collaborative took part in training sessions, content sharing, and community events to help strengthen local journalism’s role in civic life. Supported by Democracy Fund and organized by Amplify Utah, this effort underscored the power of student journalism in shaping informed, engaged communities across the state.