Why is democracy signif
icant? An exploration of the press as a safeguard of democracy, the constitutional protections that support it, and the contemporary challenges confronting the freedom of the press.
Steve Miller teaches political science at Modesto Junior College. His primary interests are in political theory and constitutional law. At MJC, Steve serves as an advisor for the Freedom Forum (Politics) Club. He is also involved with committees related to online education, democracy, and student scholarships.
The erosion 
of local news has real consequences which start at home. What is the mayor doing? The police chief? Local reporting connects communities and provides a foundation for an informed citizenry.
Marijke Rowland is editor of The Modesto Focus. She has spent more than two decades reporting in the San Joaquin Valley, first for The Modesto Bee and now as the founding editor of the latest newsroom from the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. A graduate of Indiana University’s School of Journalism, Rowland's work has garnered multiple honors including three first-place awards in 2021 from the California News Publishers Association and a 2025 Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism Award.
How social media has reshaped how news is produced, consumed, a
nd shared—and why those shifts place greater responsibility on each of us to practice strong news-literacy skills in our online environments.
Kyle teaches an Intro to Mass Communication course emphasizing the power, responsibility, and influence of mass media in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Spanning topics of journalism, digital media, and communication theory, his approach to teaching encourages critical thinking, cultivates strong media literacy skills, and develops thoughtful practices for responsible media engagement.
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