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MAN: One small step for man.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Hello, and welcome to Free Speech with CR. I'm the host, Molly Blakemore. And I'm joined with my co-host, Dr. Keith Flamer.

KEITH FLAMER: Molly, it's great to be back with you. After a whole month away from this table, I kind of miss it. So it's good to have new guests today. And I would like our guests to introduce themselves. I would like to start with a faculty member, please.

KENDRA: Hello, I'm Kendra and I teach English and adult and community education for College of the Redwood's. Have over 20 years experience teaching English and C2 ESL in Spain and Seville. I have my master's in Fine Arts in creative writing. And so a particular interest to this podcast today because we'll be talking about our CR patio.

KEITH FLAMER: Wonderful. Thank you.

ISHIKA SIDHU: Hi, I'm Ishika Sidhu and I am the vice dean of the Writers Club. And we're are the founders of the CR Chronicle. It's a pleasure for inviting us and having the opportunity to talk about the [INAUDIBLE] more.

CHETNA SIDHU: Hi. I'm Chetna Sidhu. And I'm also the president of Writers Club and one of the other founders of the CR Chronicle. And I'm pleased to be here.

KEITH FLAMER: Thank you. So here's my first question for you is, why did you want to start the CR Chronicle student newspaper? What was the idea and the rationale behind it?

CHETNA SIDHU: Do you want to answer or should I?

ISHIKA SIDHU: I can start. One of the reasons we started was community. We wanted to have a space for the CR community, not just here on the main campus, but all the other campuses as well, to find a space where everyone is doing and maybe promote all the events from all the different campuses. Because BI Multilingual Club members, we knew we were doing the language exchange, but a lot of people on the main campus didn't know what that was, and they were [INAUDIBLE].

So we just wanted to [INAUDIBLE] format where everyone could find about everything that was going on all the [INAUDIBLE].

KEITH FLAMER: What do you think?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah, I think that sums it up. But remember, when we were like, I wish we knew where all the events were or a place where we could find out what everything is. And then we're like, oh, we should start a student newspaper. And that's how it began.

KEITH FLAMER: Thank you. So I'm wondering, Kendra, why did you want to get this started with the students, and why did you want to be the advisor?

KENDRA: Why I wanted to be the advisor for the writers club is that I think in world right now, we're going through a time of deep transition. And because of that, creativity is a powerful force to create the world that we want to see. And so I think what [INAUDIBLE] in the Writers Club. And as far as the newspaper goes, I'm just following their lead.

They had this idea to create more representation on campus to put a spotlight in downtown. And hopefully, KT, we've got our first mission from KT, an art piece and a column. And hopefully, also, when [INAUDIBLE]

So we'll have all our CR campus does, not only the main campus where we imagine. I think with Ishika and Chetna [INAUDIBLE] a real desire to create connections and community and having writing the [INAUDIBLE].

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: So the Writers Club was already, and then the newspaper came from the Writers Club. Is that right?

ISHIKA SIDHU: The Writers Club was formed last semester in fall of '25. We're really new.

KEITH FLAMER: So it's a new club. [INAUDIBLE] what is your dream for the student newspaper? And here's the rationale behind my question is, I do understand that you want to get the word out to other students about what's going on. But I see the student newspaper as-- see, I've wanted this for years, for a long time, not just because it's good for students to learn how to write and to report on, but it's also a way that we can have a separate media piece as part of the institution, because I see the student newspaper as one that keeps everyone-- I'll say this badly, but keeps everyone honest. So things are more transparent.

And I think your voice is going to be very key to make sure that everything is above board, and that if something is of interest to the students, you have access to the administration to ask these hard questions that we need asked so we can communicate better. Now, is that something that you think that the newspaper can do?

CHETNA SIDHU: I would say absolutely. That is something that the newspaper can do. Already, all the campus clubs are utilizing it more. And the staff members are also adding some of their events and input into it. So I do think it is helpful to bring transparency and keep a really honest narrative.

KEITH FLAMER: Perfect.

KENDRA: Yeah, sometimes the administration level, we feel that we don't always have the student voice represented, or it's hard for us to find that voice. So the newspaper can help with that, too.

KEITH FLAMER: Yeah, it just helps us to be able to administrate better, if that's the word. But also, it's a way for us to be more transparent about what our thoughts are and also get feedback from students about, OK, what do you think of this.

And so we have a lot more voices that aren't usually heard. And I think that's important as especially as the country goes the way the country is going. And inviting more voices to the table is going to be very, very important for us. So that's a big mantle for you both to take on to do that.

So I'm also curious. So you're first year students. You'll be done in about a year and a half with us. How do you make sure that you have a succession plan in place so that the newspaper doesn't die when you graduate?

CHETNA SIDHU: Well, we hope that the club can continue as the writers club, that it becomes a legacy of our club, and that it just is something that the club does. But if there's a way to turn it into a class, I'd appreciate it. But for now, we just like to work at the club and [INAUDIBLE].

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Do you have an editor, or do you have a structure for that? Or is it [INAUDIBLE]?

ISHIKA SIDHU: It is our amazing [INAUDIBLE].

KENDRA: [INAUDIBLE] And I think we are putting that in play. The structure is happening. Chetna and Ishika launched our first edition in February. And then our second edition was launched. And then we were like, OK, what features do we want to see regularly, what's the system So it is sustainable like [INAUDIBLE] into in terms of editing, [INAUDIBLE] what comes. So we've kind of been crafting the ship that we're sailing in.

But I was thinking of [INAUDIBLE] your question, we have a really interesting talk over a lot meaning about just the wall having op eds in the paper and matters how culturally op eds haven't been separate from news. So what you were saying of truth, I think these two who are real truth thinkers and great at approaching things with curiosity and openness and objectivity, which I think are powerful journalistic strengths.

And then we talked about let's have an op ed page for all [INAUDIBLE], and then also let's have truth seeking in our news, which I think is the distinction is blurry right now in our media.

KEITH FLAMER: It is.

KENDRA: [INAUDIBLE] interesting talk that we were all sharing our perspective on. Yeah.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: That is a very interesting that the editorial piece has kind of taken over the news, part of our media, and we're seeing silos and corporate takeovers. And so a lot of the voices are getting silenced. Are you talking about that in your club? And this is something that inspired you to start the newspaper? Or how do you feel about that?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Absolutely, I think was [INAUDIBLE] it was in our mind for a long time. But I think we kept more than [INAUDIBLE] we want to have to do it. I mean, it's something that a lot for the campus to add, but also to be used as a tool for [INAUDIBLE] and to hear people's voices, and maybe voices that maybe get over [INAUDIBLE].

Yes, we definitely were thinking about that [INAUDIBLE].

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: How do you find your stories?

CHETNA SIDHU: Well, we have a theme for each paper.

KEITH FLAMER: Oh, you do?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. So we try to follow that theme and make sure that whole newspaper represents that certain theme. But that's just probably like a writer thing. So--

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: [INAUDIBLE]

KEITH FLAMER: Talk about that.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. [INAUDIBLE] was community because clearly, that was the reason for the newspaper to be created. It was community in general. So we need that our theme. And then for March, it was legacy because we were thinking about our own legacy as a newspaper. And now I can't spoil the new--

KENDRA: [INAUDIBLE]

KEITH FLAMER: Oh, but I'm so very curious. But OK, gotcha.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: [INAUDIBLE] we'll have to all look out for the next edition. Yeah.

KEITH FLAMER: And it comes out monthly about when?

CHETNA SIDHU: Our deadline to get it done is this Friday.

KEITH FLAMER: [INAUDIBLE] OK.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. So the editing process, because Benjamin, who recently joined our club, can miss [INAUDIBLE] newspapers software and stuff like that. And his background is his [INAUDIBLE] very excited to see what he can add to in his paper.

KEITH FLAMER: Can you name of the other students that are involved in the newspaper with you?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah, I think there's a student who's usually not here in the morning. Her name is Lizzie. So she's one of those that's writing for the paper this time. And it's also Ishika, and then me, and now it's Benjamin. So--

KEITH FLAMER: So you have a staff of four?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. It's slowly expanding. [INAUDIBLE] staff of two.

KEITH FLAMER: You're right. It was a staff of two. And now a staff of four.

KENDRA: [INAUDIBLE]

KEITH FLAMER: Actually, that's true.

KENDRA: Yeah, and this could be a plug if anyone [INAUDIBLE] someone who is interested in taking part in the Writers Club and joining the newspaper, we would love-- or has a story or have [INAUDIBLE].

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, that would be a great time for people to contact either myself or [INAUDIBLE].

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: So the Writers Club, can you talk a little bit more about that? That's not strictly just for journalists. Is there any kind of writing?

CHETNA SIDHU: It's when we were starting the writers club, the whole purpose of it was just to give people a spot to write, because sometimes when you're writing alone, it could seem a little bit daunting. But just having a group of people, regardless of what they're writing, can make people feel more into it, and they want to continue writing. We were very open to academic writing. If you're working on [INAUDIBLE] and you just want to work with people, that would be a great spot to just get together and just write [INAUDIBLE].

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Yeah. Do you have aspirations for journalism or--

KEITH FLAMER: No?

CHETNA SIDHU: No. We actually want to be doctors. So writing is just something we do as a hobby on the side. And I think the writers club became a thing because we were trying to hold ourselves accountable and find time to write and not be like, I'm busy with school work and studying and homework.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: And just so you approach Kendra then, the English department [INAUDIBLE]

KEITH FLAMER: Really?

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: [INAUDIBLE]

KEITH FLAMER: So I'm also curious, as the advisor, what is your dream for the newspaper and the club? What do you want to see long term?

KENDRA: Great question. I want to see exactly what it is now. Something vibrant, something community-based, something rooted in representation. I think journalism and the source of cultural power. And--

KEITH FLAMER: Would you talk a little bit more about that? Because I think I understand, but I may not. Could you explain that for me?

KENDRA: Well, I just think the way we're approaching it. Somehow, journalism can be an echo chamber where the voices that are always heard getting echoed [INAUDIBLE] surnames during culture. And I think our newspaper is an attempt to do something different and to put in the spotlight with it that may not have been heard, put in spotlight students or staff that may not have gotten representation.

Like in the legacy issue, the spotlight staff was in the cafeteria, back in the kitchen. I had never met him before. And it was such a pleasure to see him on the pages and recognized for what he's doing for our students and the care he brings to our students. And so I'd like to see more of that, how we could bring in more voices, more staff and faculty that be aren't seen.

KEITH FLAMER: That is such an aspirational goal that it's wonderful. It's wonderful. Please.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: So our podcast is Free Speech with CR. And so I was wondering if you had any ideas about how journalism and the newspaper relates to free speech and can help the cause of free speech. Any of you.

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, definitely. We try to keep it open to other people believe. And I know we also have a poetry section, and we recently got a submission from a member of [INAUDIBLE]. And they were going about [INAUDIBLE]. And I think that it was a wonderful piece to add [INAUDIBLE] just because it does give voice or someone else's struggles that are universal. So they will connect with other people.

But also, it gives a chance of maybe people who never experienced it and [INAUDIBLE] in their lives. Oh, these people are just like us. They just had some problem. But everyone doesn't know. And they [INAUDIBLE] and it's a great way to give free speech and what people are putting into the paper.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah, I think the arts section does that too.

KEITH FLAMER: The arts section?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. [INAUDIBLE] short story section, which we've always had to omit because no one submits from stories. But the art pieces do also, they demonstrate--

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Visual art?

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. It could be photography. It could be just your own drawings and digital art. So I do think that that also is an outlet for people to express themselves creatively.

ISHIKA SIDHU: [INAUDIBLE] you said about the art. I think it's also a great visual representation of how free speech is and what other people are seeing, because they're seeing the world, but people might see it differently [INAUDIBLE]. And they might put that in their art. And it's another point of view that people didn't consider [INAUDIBLE]. It's a great way to see [INAUDIBLE].

KEITH FLAMER: Please, Kendra.

KENDRA: [INAUDIBLE] really has a foundation of kindness. And I don't know if you feel this, but I even feel it in their responses. And I think that kindness is a quality that kept overlooked

KEITH FLAMER: Yes.

KENDRA: But [INAUDIBLE] vital around this free speech issue. If we're rooted in respect and rooted in kindness, it brings back a lot of just human dignity. I was just [INAUDIBLE] what you were saying, I think [INAUDIBLE].

KEITH FLAMER: More journalism. What does that mean? In your mind, what does that look like?

KENDRA: What does kindness in journalism look like? I think it's about human [INAUDIBLE], I think it's about truths, I think it's about connection, not [INAUDIBLE].

KEITH FLAMER: Thank you. I would like to ask you a hypothetical question. And I don't know if you would expected this question or not. So let's say that the newspaper takes off. And you have a staff of 12 versus a staff of four. And so you're out there gathering stories.

And it happens to be a story that you want to write that I may not like. And I would say, would you please squash this story. What would your reaction be?

CHETNA SIDHU: No, I respect CR. But I think the students should have a [INAUDIBLE]. I think we could find a compromise here to that story somehow.

KEITH FLAMER: What do you think?

ISHIKA SIDHU: I agree with what she's saying. I think that [INAUDIBLE] we can work around it to put everyone and what they believe in. The model is not wrong [INAUDIBLE] I think it is a story that should be worth considering.

KEITH FLAMER: As the advisor, I'm curious.

KENDRA: Yeah, we talked about that.

KEITH FLAMER: Oh, did you already talk about this? Oh, so you were ready for the question.

KENDRA: --meaning it came up about the potential for a story not being liked. And we were-- Benjamin brought the thought about the importance of authenticity, that if you're speaking from a place of authenticity, then you can stand beside your [INAUDIBLE]. And you might not be loved for it, but you can stand by it. Boards veracity vs authenticity. So yeah, we talked about that.

And I love your take on [INAUDIBLE] that someone like you, or I hate the story, it's the potential for dialogue and further understanding versus provocation.

KEITH FLAMER: You are describing something that we're missing as a country is how do we dialogue with something that we don't agree with. And so now I'm beginning to understand the rationale behind the newspaper is that you want to bring dialogue back into the lexicon. What a wonderful answer. I really appreciate that. That's terrific. It's good.

What things can the administration do to support your work, both as students and the advisor, to make sure that your dream continues? What can we do?

ISHIKA SIDHU: I think [INAUDIBLE] struggling with currently is sustainability.

KEITH FLAMER: Would you talk to us a little bit what that means?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, of course. When we wrote the paper, it was a little smaller in terms like ages. So it didn't cost us and the club much, especially since [INAUDIBLE]. So with it, with the first launch, it was received very well. And we're very grateful it was. And I will see how he is taking it. And it was like our vision coming true. So that was a very nice moment.

But then more students and staff and clubs started utilizing it. So we were putting their story in as well. Just because it was a lot of things that were happening on campus, the different clubs, [INAUDIBLE] to let everyone know what's going on [INAUDIBLE] as they want to drop in when they have internet, which made it a bit of a bigger issue.

So the funding went up. So in terms of the paper, people would love to continue seeing a physical copy just because it's something that they enjoyed the first time. And they want to see that continue. But because we're always [INAUDIBLE], the funding is a bit difficult.

CHETNA SIDHU: Also, the student unlike the library archives for the newspapers also [INAUDIBLE]. It's like what she said, this political era and life we're living right now, you never know with digital files. So it's always good to have a paper copy just in case.

KEITH FLAMER: You never know what?

CHETNA SIDHU: That your voice might be censored or that someone might take the digital version, then--

KEITH FLAMER: Alter it.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yes, or that it could be altered in some way. And so just having a physical copy in the back is also useful.

KEITH FLAMER: Now I see lots of copies on the Eureka campus. So what are you doing to outreach to Del Norte and our KT site, or also Eureka Downtown? So how do we get those students to know what you're doing do that they can physically pick up on these people?

ISHIKA SIDHU: When, the idea started, everything changed. I know she emailed--

KEITH FLAMER: Thank you, Kendra.

ISHIKA SIDHU: She was emailing many people and was like, don't worry about it, guys, I'm on it. So we never really had to worry about that. So that's [INAUDIBLE]. But then we also had 80 copies the first time, which all got taken for the main [INAUDIBLE]. And the goal was to save some. But a lot of the places on campus [INAUDIBLE]. So we were running out.

And I know a couple people from the other campuses had to come to the main campus--

KEITH FLAMER: Just to get some?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, so that was a problem. And then this month issue, it was very limited due to lack of funding. So we didn't even have as many as we did last time. So we had to do another launch party because the paper run little bit longer, more pages [INAUDIBLE] 26 copies. So now we're learning from our [INAUDIBLE].

And with this one we're like, because more people have joined and they have different skills, and so we're going to utilize it and see what people want to work on and what we can do for the paper to make it more sustainable as well as reach everyone, which is the goal.

KEITH FLAMER: Thank you. I just want you all three to know that what you're doing is critical not just to the mission, but to our County, our area, and our country. So don't give up, and please get a budget. Let us know what you need, and let us do our job to help you find money to make this successful.

This is way too important to have it die because you don't have enough pennies or dimes. This is very important. Molly, please.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: I just have one last question for you. As young people, I'm always very curious where you get your news, because I know it's harder and harder to find one place that everyone trusts and reads and where we all go to get the same stories. And it's very fractured. And so I'm just wondering where it is you consumer is?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Or for the campus?

KEITH FLAMER: Just you personally.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Yes, what's going on in the world and who you trust to tell you the truth and how you discern that maybe.

KEITH FLAMER: What a great question. I'm curious your answer on this one.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah, I've been watching a lot of independent news medium, yeah, because they're not owned by the corporate media. And our dad watches like international news. So he gets like a non American view of it.

KEITH FLAMER: A non-American view?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, I was going to say.

KEITH FLAMER: Which is accurate, which is true. That's good. I'm glad you're talking--

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Yeah, so independent, where would you find that? And how do you know that it's truly independent?

ISHIKA SIDHU: Well, there are, I think, websites you can go to to see what news sources you're watching and how, if they're doing one side, how much are they doing on that side. So you can tell. Yeah. And usually, grounding helps with that too.

KEITH FLAMER: What does?

CHETNA SIDHU: It's like ground news. It's like something that you can look at the different articles when they're researching and see what the point of data is like. Is it 2 to the right or 2 to the left and how much-- because at my old University, there were sisters. And they would tell us that you have to know both sides. So I've always grown up trying to find both sides.

KEITH FLAMER: That's a good balance. That's good.

CHETNA SIDHU: Yeah. And that the truth lies between [INAUDIBLE].

KEITH FLAMER: Always.

CHETNA SIDHU: So that's something I've taken with me.

KEITH FLAMER: May I suggest a story? That is-- and it's something that you've already talked about. And that is critical thinking skills, and how do we educate students, especially coming up to the midterm elections and then the next election is how do we get people to understand what's truth and what is independent and what's not truth. And so how do we-- so that's a story that I would encourage you to write so we can get all educated about. What do we look at as we move forward?

ISHIKA SIDHU: It was a wonderful idea.

KEITH FLAMER: Oh, well, thank you.

ISHIKA SIDHU: Yeah, I'm excited to dig into it.

KEITH FLAMER: I'm excited for you to dig into it. Thank you so much.

MOLLY BLAKEMORE: Yes, thank you for joining us. This has been Free Speech with CR. And I'm Molly Blakemore.

KEITH FLAMER: And I'm Keith Flamer. This has been an enjoyable day. Thank you.

ISHIKA SIDHU: Thank you.

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