Tag: Media literacy

April 3, 2026 2:30 amApril 3, 2026 2:33 am

OPINION: Media illiteracy kills trans people

By Aria Wang 733 Views Aria Wang, dogwhistles, Fact Checking, Media literacy, Trans rights

“When people struggle to spot hateful tropes, especially in seemingly good-faith contexts or popular media sources, they also fail to connect these narratives to broader implications such as the risk of genocide or state-sponsored violence,” writes Aria Wang PO ’27. “This inability or unwillingness to recognize far-right dogwhistles leaves people primed to accept repackaged rhetoric as fact.”

Opinions

October 24, 2025 1:49 amOctober 25, 2025 1:50 pm

OPINION: Under media oligarchy, TikTok isn’t the problem

By Nicole Teh 978 Views Media censorship, Media literacy, Nicole Teh, Social mobilization, TikTok

TikTok is far from popular, and as Trump cozies up with the app’s CEO, it’s easy to accept its ban. However, Nicole Teh SC ’27 argues that its unique position to enact social change proves TikTok’s defensibility, and its removal might only exacerbate the perceived ills. The only way to fix its faults is with education.

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On April 28, eight candidates squared off at Pomona College for the largest California gubernatorial debate yet — a spectacle students likened to a political sitcom. With antics like Chad Bianco accusing his opponents of “lying to these kids,” or Katie Porter hanging her head in mock exhaustion, the debate offered the audience a candid look into the orderly disorder of state politics.

The night featured three questions from students, covering issues from the economy to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ryan Kossarian PO ’27, Kloi Ogans PO ’28 and Dante Gilbert PO ’27 each approached the mic stand to address the candidates from the audience. After the debate, Kossarian shared in an interview that his initial question was involuntarily rewritten.

“My question was something completely different than the question they made me ask,” Kossarian said, referring to his communication with CBS California, who sponsored the event. “They made me rewrite it. They gave me a script.”

Words & Photos by Joelle Rudolf | Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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On April 28, eight candidates squared off at Pomona College for the largest California gubernatorial debate yet — a spectacle students likened to a political sitcom. With antics like Chad Bianco accusing his opponents of “lying to these kids,” or Katie Porter hanging her head in mock exhaustion, the debate offered the audience a candid look into the orderly disorder of state politics. The night featured three questions from students, covering issues from the economy to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Ryan Kossarian PO ’27, Kloi Ogans PO ’28 and Dante Gilbert PO ’27 each approached the mic stand to address the candidates from the audience. After the debate, Kossarian shared in an interview that his initial question was involuntarily rewritten. “My question was something completely different than the question they made me ask,” Kossarian said, referring to his communication with CBS California, who sponsored the event. “They made me rewrite it. They gave me a script.” Words & Photos by Joelle Rudolf | Read the full story at the link in our bio.

3 days ago

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Long regarded as a hub for cultural exchange and language immersion, Oldenborg fostered conversations, unlikely friendships, and a deeply rooted sense of community across the 5Cs.

While plans for the new Center for Global Engagement promise expanded opportunities, many students expressed concern about preserving the warmth and intimacy that defined Oldenborg’s character. As its final weeks unfold, residents and visitors alike continue to gather for language tables, holding onto the routines that made the space feel like home.

“I feel like it’s a little too much to say, but [Oldenborg has] a safe-haven-ish vibe,” he said. “Oldenborg is still, I [won’t] say majority, but maybe leaning towards international students, and for me, that [feels] a little more [like] a close community compared to all the other dorms,” said Oldenborg resident Max Liu PO ’28.

Words by Kira Heller | Visual by Vera Rosenblum

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Long regarded as a hub for cultural exchange and language immersion, Oldenborg fostered conversations, unlikely friendships, and a deeply rooted sense of community across the 5Cs. While plans for the new Center for Global Engagement promise expanded opportunities, many students expressed concern about preserving the warmth and intimacy that defined Oldenborg’s character. As its final weeks unfold, residents and visitors alike continue to gather for language tables, holding onto the routines that made the space feel like home. “I feel like it’s a little too much to say, but [Oldenborg has] a safe-haven-ish vibe,” he said. “Oldenborg is still, I [won’t] say majority, but maybe leaning towards international students, and for me, that [feels] a little more [like] a close community compared to all the other dorms,” said Oldenborg resident Max Liu PO ’28. Words by Kira Heller | Visual by Vera Rosenblum

4 days ago

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2/9

Liam Riley PO ‘26 discusses the prescription of psychiatric drugs in the U.S. He discusses the neurochemical model and how it can be a damaging way of looking at the world.

“The use of overly psychiatric language reveals the neurochemical model’s secret ambition to extend its list of diagnostic criteria until we are all patients, reducing an experience that was once spiritual and profound into a medical regimen. This kind of logic makes moving through your day seem like swallowing a series of pills: 5 mg of adderall for dopamine, 30 minutes of sunlight for serotonin production, a short jog for the endorphins,” says Liam.

Words by William Riley | Visual by Shixiao Yu
Read the full story at the link in our bio

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Liam Riley PO ‘26 discusses the prescription of psychiatric drugs in the U.S. He discusses the neurochemical model and how it can be a damaging way of looking at the world. “The use of overly psychiatric language reveals the neurochemical model’s secret ambition to extend its list of diagnostic criteria until we are all patients, reducing an experience that was once spiritual and profound into a medical regimen. This kind of logic makes moving through your day seem like swallowing a series of pills: 5 mg of adderall for dopamine, 30 minutes of sunlight for serotonin production, a short jog for the endorphins,” says Liam. Words by William Riley | Visual by Shixiao Yu Read the full story at the link in our bio

7 days ago

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3/9

Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College passed resolutions this month to support phasing out large industrial gas boilers in Southern California.

Jaden Yang PO ’28 and Clarissa Aquino PZ ’26 led the movement for the 5Cs to pass student resolutions on gas boilers. The end goal of the campaign is to convince the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), a government agency that oversees air quality standards, to phase out the use of medium to large-sized boilers across Southern California The duo hopes to get a resolution passed by ASHMC by the end of April, so all 5C student governments can send their resolutions to SCAQMD’s board members by the board’s next meeting on May 1.

“There [are] a lot of oil and gas lobbyists who are at public comment and telling the board members that colleges and other institutions don’t want to be regulated,” Yang said. “Actively showing that the people who will be affected by these rules are fine with it, and willing to be regulated … is pretty powerful.”

Words by Kahani Malhotra | Graphic by Meiya Rollins
Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College passed resolutions this month to support phasing out large industrial gas boilers in Southern California. Jaden Yang PO ’28 and Clarissa Aquino PZ ’26 led the movement for the 5Cs to pass student resolutions on gas boilers. The end goal of the campaign is to convince the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), a government agency that oversees air quality standards, to phase out the use of medium to large-sized boilers across Southern California The duo hopes to get a resolution passed by ASHMC by the end of April, so all 5C student governments can send their resolutions to SCAQMD’s board members by the board’s next meeting on May 1. “There [are] a lot of oil and gas lobbyists who are at public comment and telling the board members that colleges and other institutions don’t want to be regulated,” Yang said. “Actively showing that the people who will be affected by these rules are fine with it, and willing to be regulated … is pretty powerful.” Words by Kahani Malhotra | Graphic by Meiya Rollins Read the full story at the link in our bio.

1 week ago

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On Wednesday, April 22, Steven Anthony Cowles, a former employee of The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS), was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison after admitting to embezzling over $1 million from the Claremont Colleges this January.

Over a period of 10 years, Cowles embezzled $1,000,571 through 1,343 unauthorized wire transactions. According to court documents, Cowles used a “P-Card,” an employee purchasing card provided by TCCS intended for buying parts and supplies for the colleges, to conceal the wire fraud. He created fictitious invoices and documents while also linking the P-Card to his personal PayPal account, court documents said.
“This was a serious, long-running abuse of trust that caused significant financial and institutional harm to The Claremont Colleges Services,” Laura Muna-Landa, assistant vice president of communications for TCCS, said.

Words by Ila Bell | Photo by Andrew Yuan
Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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On Wednesday, April 22, Steven Anthony Cowles, a former employee of The Claremont Colleges Services (TCCS), was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison after admitting to embezzling over $1 million from the Claremont Colleges this January. Over a period of 10 years, Cowles embezzled $1,000,571 through 1,343 unauthorized wire transactions. According to court documents, Cowles used a “P-Card,” an employee purchasing card provided by TCCS intended for buying parts and supplies for the colleges, to conceal the wire fraud. He created fictitious invoices and documents while also linking the P-Card to his personal PayPal account, court documents said. “This was a serious, long-running abuse of trust that caused significant financial and institutional harm to The Claremont Colleges Services,” Laura Muna-Landa, assistant vice president of communications for TCCS, said. Words by Ila Bell | Photo by Andrew Yuan Read the full story at the link in our bio.

1 week ago

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5/9

On Tuesday, April 28, Pomona College will host the first of four California gubernatorial debates in Bridges Auditorium. 5C students, faculty and administration eagerly anticipate the event, and student political organizations will put on related events such as watch parties and post-debate panels.

Only Pomona students were allowed to enter the selective ticket application to attend the debate in person, but student groups such as the Claremont College’s League of Women Voters (LWV) and 5C Democrats will host watch parties for others to engage in dialogue surrounding the debate.
“It reflects some of our most important, enduring values: civic engagement and active participation in the democratic process. This is Pomona living its mission in real time,” Starr said in a video announcing the event.

Words by Chloe Kiparsky | Graphic by PJ James
Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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On Tuesday, April 28, Pomona College will host the first of four California gubernatorial debates in Bridges Auditorium. 5C students, faculty and administration eagerly anticipate the event, and student political organizations will put on related events such as watch parties and post-debate panels. Only Pomona students were allowed to enter the selective ticket application to attend the debate in person, but student groups such as the Claremont College’s League of Women Voters (LWV) and 5C Democrats will host watch parties for others to engage in dialogue surrounding the debate. “It reflects some of our most important, enduring values: civic engagement and active participation in the democratic process. This is Pomona living its mission in real time,” Starr said in a video announcing the event. Words by Chloe Kiparsky | Graphic by PJ James Read the full story at the link in our bio.

1 week ago

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6/9

This week at TSL:

News covered Pomona’s ongoing housing crisis with students bidding thousands of dollars and internships for time-slots as well as the new Justice Education Center director and the future of Pitzer’s Inside Out program.

Sports highlighted the recent success of the ski and snowboard team and featured a story arguing that the dedication required to be a Division III athlete deserves greater institutional support.

Opinions featured an op-ed exploring the tension between food influencers with the gutting of SNAP benefits

In Arts & Culture, we showcased the Blaremont fashion show at the Benton Art Museum, organized by the Office of Black Student Affairs. In columns, A&C’s very own feature editor, Audrey Green, wrote about her favorite Studio Ghibli movie, “Whisper of the Heart.”

Filmed & edited by Bianca Mirica and Isabella Leyton | Read more at the link in our bio.

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This week at TSL: News covered Pomona’s ongoing housing crisis with students bidding thousands of dollars and internships for time-slots as well as the new Justice Education Center director and the future of Pitzer’s Inside Out program. Sports highlighted the recent success of the ski and snowboard team and featured a story arguing that the dedication required to be a Division III athlete deserves greater institutional support. Opinions featured an op-ed exploring the tension between food influencers with the gutting of SNAP benefits In Arts & Culture, we showcased the Blaremont fashion show at the Benton Art Museum, organized by the Office of Black Student Affairs. In columns, A&C’s very own feature editor, Audrey Green, wrote about her favorite Studio Ghibli movie, “Whisper of the Heart.” Filmed & edited by Bianca Mirica and Isabella Leyton | Read more at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

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7/9

A common misconception of higher education is that it takes place in an “ivory tower,” separated from the reality of human life. Unfortunately, scholars have faced unprecedented hostility in recent times.

Diego Monge PO ‘29 interviewed two professors at the 5Cs to discover their experiences with surveillance and censorship.

Words by Diego Monge | Visual by Alexandra Grunbaum
Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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A common misconception of higher education is that it takes place in an “ivory tower,” separated from the reality of human life. Unfortunately, scholars have faced unprecedented hostility in recent times. Diego Monge PO ‘29 interviewed two professors at the 5Cs to discover their experiences with surveillance and censorship. Words by Diego Monge | Visual by Alexandra Grunbaum Read the full story at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

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“There is a slightly disturbing minority of people who created a sense of campus culture [that makes] women of color feel a little worried or uncomfortable,” said Student A.

Student A is one of five women interviewed about their perspectives on white men at the 5Cs who exclusively pursue women of color.

“The Orientalist can now travel without leaving Claremont. For him, a woman can be reduced to a tool for his own intellectual or moral flourishing,” writes Ila Assegaf PO ‘28.

Words by Ila Assegaf | Visual by PJ James
Read the full story at the link in our bio.

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“There is a slightly disturbing minority of people who created a sense of campus culture [that makes] women of color feel a little worried or uncomfortable,” said Student A. Student A is one of five women interviewed about their perspectives on white men at the 5Cs who exclusively pursue women of color. “The Orientalist can now travel without leaving Claremont. For him, a woman can be reduced to a tool for his own intellectual or moral flourishing,” writes Ila Assegaf PO ‘28. Words by Ila Assegaf | Visual by PJ James Read the full story at the link in our bio.

2 weeks ago

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