Editorial

Empty Promises: The disparity of inconsistent access to menstrual hygiene

Hygiene dispensers at Laney College are inconsistent with their supply of menstrual period products. State law requires community college campuses to have free access to menstrual products in designated areas.

Nelzy Gonzalez-Zaragoza, Associate Editor • May 6, 2026

The first Menstrual Hygiene Day took place in 2014, and is recognized annually every year on May 28.

Student journalists have temporary roles, but a permanent responsibility

As we celebrate Student Press Freedom Day, student journalists remain vigilant watchdogs for our college communities

Nathaniel Delgado, Staff Writer • February 26, 2026

In the months since the tragic shooting death of John Beam at Laney College, The Citizen has been following developments, including hearings for the case, closely. The public defender representing the...

How The Citizen covered the Laney College shooting, and why our security reporting matters

Security at Peralta has prompted discussion among the community for a long time. We uphold strict ethical guidelines for our industry-standard reporting.

Citizen Staff • November 26, 2025

Several members of our newsroom were on Laney College’s campus when we received an alert about the shooting. Within moments, everyone got to work. None of us fully understood what had happened yet. But after the lockdown was lifted, some of our senior reporters made their way to the Fieldhouse to cover the situation.

Dial Tones and Disengagement: A student election marked by silence

The Citizen observed conflicting information during last semester's student body election. When we tried to get more information, we were met with unanswered calls, wrong numbers, and voicemails.

Tamara Copes, Staff Writer • October 16, 2025

During the Spring 2025 semester, 21,555 students were enrolled at Peralta Community College District, according to data from Peralta's communications spokesman Mark Johnson. Only 523 participated in student elections. That’s 2.4% of the student population.

The Citizen will not “take down” the truth

The Citizen is Peralta’s only student-run news publication. We serve all four colleges as a watchdog. Just like professional newsrooms, we take accurate reporting very seriously.

Eliot Faine, Multimedia Editor • October 4, 2025

Over the summer, The Citizen received multiple emails that claimed we had published libelous articles. The authors of the emails alleged they were reaching out on behalf of their client, Tim Thomas, Peralta Community College District’s former Executive Director of Public Safety.

EDITORIAL: Keep Paulina Gonzalez-Brito on the Peralta board

The Citizen Editorial Board • September 25, 2024

Incumbent Paulina Gonzalez-Brito has the knowledge, experience, and aptitude for accountability to serve the district for four more years.

We sued our district over public records and won. Here’s what we learned

Li Khan, Editor in Chief • February 22, 2024

We asked our district a question in the form of multiple Public Records Act requests, but got incomplete answers. It's still happening.

The Citizen’s Endorsements for the 2022 Board of Trustees Elections

The Citizen Editorial Board • October 12, 2022

October 10, 2022 By The Citizen Editorial Board On Oct. 5, The Citizen held a virtual forum with candidates running for seats on the Peralta Community College District’s (PCCD) Board of Trustees...

The Citizen staff wins Society of Professional Journalists’ James Madison Freedom of Information Award

Peralta Community College District’s only student-run publication was awarded for its transparency and consistency in reporting on Peralta’s security transitions

Leticia Luna, Editor in Chief • March 23, 2022

The 37th annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards were announced on Wednesday, March 16th, by the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ Norcal). The...