Abhiram Juvvadi, the president of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc., urges the greater Penn community to stay informed and engaged.
Credit: Lydia TongThe world is changing, rapidly. We hear many iterations of the phrase “we live in unprecedented times” every year. I’m not going to repeat those lines because they’ve already been said, but what I will say is this: Amid the constant evolution and change seen in our communities, staying informed is not just important — it’s essential.
In recent decades, many local media organizations — hallmarks of keeping readers informed about their community — have faced significant challenges. Both a decline in readership and the rise of social media as a source of information have contributed to falling revenues for local media, leaving many communities without reliable, localized reporting. Many important stories are often missed or overlooked without the crucial involvement of legacy media, leaving people disconnected from events, policies, and pressing issues that directly affect their communities and livelihoods.
The absence of these institutions doesn’t just mean missing out on reporting; it means that there are fewer opportunities to hold leaders accountable, hear from underrepresented voices, and build a collective understanding of our communities.
Student journalism has a unique responsibility in the media space. On college campuses, student media organizations have the ability to inform, engage, and empower. As students, we are in a distinct position to fill the gaps left by larger media organizations, telling stories and offering perspectives that are directly relevant to our campus and communities.
Last year, we at The Daily Pennsylvanian dove headfirst into telling the stories that matter most to our community. We set up camp at Penn’s Van Pelt-Dietrich Library for more than two weeks to cover the Gaza Solidarity Encampment — live. We investigated an allegedly incomplete donation to charity, the mistreatment of athletes on the Penn women’s track and field team, and many other stories. Our efforts won an Associated College Press Newspaper Pacemaker Award, 10 2024 student Keystone Media Awards, and five College Media Association Pinnacle Awards.
This year marks the DP’s 141st year since its establishment, and our new board was inaugurated earlier this month. We are taking on these leadership roles at a time defined by unprecedented student activism on campus, significant administrative changes, and deep political polarization.
Now, more than ever, we need strong, independent journalism. The DP is an independent company with no financial ties to Penn. We rely on the support of our readers, advertisers, and donor contributions to sustain our organization. Our independence allows us to ensure that our coverage remains impartial and committed solely to the truth, constantly holding institutions and individuals accountable.
This year, expect to see changes in our publications. Editorially, we are working on complete redesigns of websites of the DP, 34th Street Magazine, and Under the Button, among other changes. On the business side, you can expect to see an introduction of new product offerings and an overhaul of existing ones, including Peek@Penn, our new high school newsletter. As we adapt to the changing media landscape, we are committed to embracing innovation and delivering excellence for our readers across all publications. Readers can stay updated through the weekly Letter from the Pink Palace.
However, our commitment to quality coverage and innovation can only be achieved through a two-way partnership with our readers. We need your perspective, feedback, and criticism to uphold and bolster our mission. Your engagement with us ensures that our coverage remains impactful and relevant to the Penn community.
Your voice matters in shaping the work we do. Whether you have a story idea to pitch, feedback on our coverage, or a perspective to share, your input is what will help make the DP a stronger publication. And if you are a Penn student looking to get involved in a community dedicated to its mission — and wanting to make new friends along the way — join us.
Together, we have the power to ignite change, foster dialogue, and remain committed to staying informed. Let’s make our 141st year one for the history books.
ABHIRAM JUVVADI is a College and Wharton junior studying history and finance from Morrisville, N.C. He is the president of the 141st Board of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc. Previously, he served as the photo editor on the 140th Board. His email is abhiram@sas.upenn.edu.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
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