When Americans think about the role of a journalist, they often imagine a human robot producing stories at their desk for hours or having an intrusive reporter shoving a microphone into someone’s face. These images often reflect the stereotypes that journalists prioritize stories over people’s privacy, as we might seem emotionless and detached from the truth or too aggressive in our reporting.

While our job may seem intrusive, journalism is ultimately a form of public service. We go beyond storytelling, acting as a watchdog by holding those in power accountable and providing live updates during emergencies.

In January, a windstorm hit Southern California causing wildfires to break out across Los Angeles and burning over 50,000 acres in total. The rampant fires destroyed homes, schools and facilities, impacting thousands of residents across the county.

The Oracle immediately interviewed students evacuating the school Tuesday, Jan. 7, due to the spread of the fire —  the same day the Palisades fire began. By capturing the moment in real-time and publishing the article on the same day, we aimed to capture the urgency and emotional weight of the situation, keeping the school community informed.

In the following weeks, The Oracle continued to report on the updates of the wildfires, covering how the school administration responded during the two-week closure, the broader impact on the community and the ways people came together to help one another.

Beyond our school publication, many local news outlets such as NBC Los Angeles, KTLA and Los Angeles Times provided daily live coverage of the wildfires, reporting directly from the scene and interviewing evacuees. At a time when many residents were left in the dark about the condition of their homes and schools due to road closures and evacuation orders, local journalism became a critical source of information.

Reporters didn’t just cover the widespread destruction, but they also uncovered the hidden stories in small communities that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.

From emergency responders working tirelessly day and night to first-hand experiences of a homeowner evacuating, this on-the-ground reporting inspired citizens to step up and support their community.

A KTLA reporter came across a backyard that caught on fire. Without hesitation, he grabbed a garden hose and rushed to extinguish it while the cameraman followed, capturing the entire moment on screen.

Another impactful moment was when an NBC reporter broadcasted live during the windstorm in a neighborhood engulfed by the fire. In the middle of his coverage, he noticed a resident evacuating his home as flames spread to his backyard, so he offered help. The man — carrying a backpack, a bike and two paintings — asked the reporter to carry his paintings and return them soon, giving his name and contact information.

These examples demonstrate how the role of journalism goes beyond informing the public: Journalists actively serve their communities in times of crisis by observing situations with empathy and understanding, and when necessary, taking action.

It’s important to have a human-centered approach as journalists because we are not just passive observers; we are part of the narrative. We feel the emotions of the people we report on and, by acknowledging this, we can connect more deeply with our interviewees.

Our journalism adviser always reminds us to be human first, and journalists second. By doing so, we report with empathy, which leads to more meaningful questions and, ultimately, better storytelling. This empathy not only helps us gather first-hand information and thoughts, but it also builds trust with the people that we interview, encouraging them to share their stories more fully.

However, serving the community means more than just being present; our reporting should be accurate and reflect the truth from multiple perspectives. In crises like the recent wildfires, misinformation can spread rapidly, especially in the digital age, where social media often amplifies false information to provoke reactions. This kind of misleading information causes confusion, fear and frustration, ultimately resulting in loss of public trust in the media.

This is why journalists must uphold their fact-checking processes and provide accurate information by giving people the resources they need to navigate uncertainty.

The Oracle goes through a rigorous fact-checking process that involves multiple rounds of reviews from the section editor, assistant editor-in-chief, editor-in-chief, and lastly, our adviser before it gets published. This ensures we publish an accurate article that shows both sides of the story.

If our journalism contains misinformation, the board immediately addresses our mistake with a correction statement at the bottom of the article. This statement includes the date and time the correction was made, as well as the original and corrected wording.

Whether during a crisis like the recent wildfires or in everyday reporting, journalists have a responsibility to provide accurate, timely and empathetic coverage that serves and supports the community. As a publication, we hold ourselves accountable to these principles by ensuring our reporting is well-researched, transparent and sensitive to the needs of those affected by the stories we cover.

This story was originally published on The Oracle on February 25, 2025.