The students of Modesto Junior College’s journalism program launched a new online version of the Pirates’ Log on October 23, 2009. The online Pirates’ Log, located at www.pirateslog.org, has a fresh new look and expanded possibilities for multi-media, as well as providing the opportunity for continuous news coverage, additions, updates and other content, on a round-the-clock basis.

While this open flow of information characterizes journalism in the 21st century, the students will continue to publish a printed, paper version of the Pirates’ Log on a monthly basis, which will contain reporting, features and less time-dependent writing.

Plans for the new online version call for adding content and features over the next few weeks, including more blogs and columns, more links to videos produced by Pirates Television and Pirates’ Log reporters, more student photography, and other features. Flexible online advertising opportunities also exist.

“We welcome your ideas and input and hope that this site makes it easier for you to reach us,” said Laura Paull, Pirates’ Log advisor in an email to MJC employees. “We are open to the submission of concepts for ongoing blogs by any students or student clubs, as well as occasional or one-time opinion pieces. Do you have or know a student who is a good writer or simply has something important to write about? Please encourage them to submit their thoughts to the Editor. Submissions from faculty, staff and community members are also invited and will be published at the discretion of the students who make up the editorial staff of the Pirates’ Log.”

Pirates Log staff ask that readers take a moment to sign in and register, which only has to be done once. This enables readers to receive the latest Pirates’ Log news in the email mailbox of their choice, and assists the editorial staff in tracking what people are reading and what subjects they may be interested in knowing more about.

“What has not changed, and I expect never will, is the commitment to honest reporting, careful research and verification of facts, clear thinking and effective communication: these are critical thinking and writing skills that validate journalism as an academic pursuit,” noted Paull in her email message.

Students, staff or community members are invited to provide feedback, story ideas, or campus news and information, which can be sent via email to Paull at paulll@mjc.edu or Lauren Rash, editor, at lrash@student.yosemite.edu.