The University of Richmond Collegian 02/02/95

Staff Editorial

by Jeffrey Carl, Opinion Editor

What We Think

an Opinion from the Collegian Staff

“Other Voices, Other Sections”

Let’s get down to brass tacks for a moment, shall we?

The Collegian has lately come under fire for shabby, yellowish journalism, irresponsible sourcework, ill-informed opinions, malicious “humor” and just general tabloid sleaziness. Here is our position, like it or not:

1. The editorial section of the newspaper comprises various opinions. This may be the source of the section’s witty name, “Opinion.” The various deranged individuals who write for that section, be they malicious, injudicious or just plain not funny – no denials there – are the opinions of those individuals and not – repeat, NOT – necessarily the opinions of the paper’s reporting staff or their editors. If they aren’t the paper’s opinion, why do we run them? Because this is not a closed venue: If you have something to say, SAYIT, in a letter to the editor or as a columnist yourself. At worst, just don’t read that section.

2. The Collegian is a creation of journalism students. We are under an obligation to the principles of our profession to be dedicated to revealing the truth – no matter how unseemly, embarassing or impolitic it may be. We are obliged to find out what happens here and let the truth be known, regardless of whether you or your friends or organization or church or boss or even we ourselves want it to be known. Dealing in the ugly-warts-and-all truth is not a fast way to make friends, but it is something that we as journalists have a duty to do. We may be sorry personally, but we have a DUTY as the sentinels of the free press here.

3. The Collegian is NOT anti-Greek. Of the senior editorial staff, six out of nine are social Greeks. The Collegian – forget the damn columnists – is not dedicated to a mission of eradicating the Greek system or discrediting it intentionally. The Collegian is dedicated to finding out what is going on. If that happens to be bad stuff, we’re sorry – several of us have had our Greek organizations embarrassed in stories that WE have had to write – but, again, we don’t let that get in the way of our job. Individuals may want to embarrass the Greek system. But the newspaper as a whole – dedicated not to hyperbole and rhetoric, but to NEWS – does not. Don’t treat us as such.

4. Trying to shut The Collegian out of what is happening is not a wise idea. If you aren’t afraidof the truth, then tell us about it and clear the air. We are as tired of dealing with rumor, half-truth and innuendo as you are. If there’s nothing to hide, there’s nothing to worry about. If you ARE hiding something, for whatever reason, don’t be surprised when an unhappy reporter knocks on your door.

We’re YOUR newspaper. Work with us; we’ll work with you.