2008 Woodie Awards
Column: So, you think The DEN is biased?
Rick Kambic/Opinions Editor
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Opinions
As a reporter and an editor for The Daily Eastern News, I've dealt with countless complaints about the publication. An exuberant student even went so far as to call me a "liberal piece of crap."
Even though I may not be the person responsible for the mistake or the author of the article in question, I'm still an ambassador for the publication and have to handle any situation in a responsible way.
I assure everyone who reads The DEN that the student journalists who work night and day to produce the newspaper are not biased. Spawned ideas grow with unforeseen opportunity or blind ambition, not planned favoritism.
However, a better way to handle disagreement is to speak out. Yelling at an individual isn't normally appropriate. A newspaper is supposedly a mechanism and protectorate of democracy, so students should use it to their advantage.
In the year that I've been at Eastern, I can only remember three instances in which more than two letters to the editor were published at one time. In fact, maybe 10 instances come to mind of any letters to the editor being published.
As opinions editor, I want to change that. While the mainstream student body has only been on campus for a few days, I've already told several ranting or inspired students to write their feelings down and submit it to The DEN.
Posting anonymous comments on dennews.com has become a popular trend, but I think there's a stronger emphasis when a name is present. The anonymity discussion is not a lengthy debate, but I'm more concerned with those who do not speak out at all.
I wish to initiate dialogue between organizations or communities on campus, as well as between our staff and our readers.
However, I've also encountered many opinionated students who don't want their names to be associated with their comments.
If a point is valid, why not take credit for it and help initiate change? I'm open to allotting space for guest columnists to express opinions about any variety of topics, including campus issues.
This is not a long-winded, would-be advertisement. I'm calling my fellow classmates out and urging expression of any kind. I get irritated when I listen to people gripe, but don't take action to make the change they want.
If an American citizen doesn't like what the president is doing, but that person didn't cast a ballot in the election, then be quiet. Likewise, people will always disagree with The DEN's coverage choices if our readership doesn't put pressure on us for what they feel is important information.
Whether you think we're idiots or brilliant student leaders, tell us and participate in this public forum called media.
Make me do my job because if you hide behind a blank piece of paper, then nothing will get written.
Rick Kambic is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at denopinions@gmail.com.
Even though I may not be the person responsible for the mistake or the author of the article in question, I'm still an ambassador for the publication and have to handle any situation in a responsible way.
I assure everyone who reads The DEN that the student journalists who work night and day to produce the newspaper are not biased. Spawned ideas grow with unforeseen opportunity or blind ambition, not planned favoritism.
However, a better way to handle disagreement is to speak out. Yelling at an individual isn't normally appropriate. A newspaper is supposedly a mechanism and protectorate of democracy, so students should use it to their advantage.
In the year that I've been at Eastern, I can only remember three instances in which more than two letters to the editor were published at one time. In fact, maybe 10 instances come to mind of any letters to the editor being published.
As opinions editor, I want to change that. While the mainstream student body has only been on campus for a few days, I've already told several ranting or inspired students to write their feelings down and submit it to The DEN.
Posting anonymous comments on dennews.com has become a popular trend, but I think there's a stronger emphasis when a name is present. The anonymity discussion is not a lengthy debate, but I'm more concerned with those who do not speak out at all.
I wish to initiate dialogue between organizations or communities on campus, as well as between our staff and our readers.
However, I've also encountered many opinionated students who don't want their names to be associated with their comments.
If a point is valid, why not take credit for it and help initiate change? I'm open to allotting space for guest columnists to express opinions about any variety of topics, including campus issues.
This is not a long-winded, would-be advertisement. I'm calling my fellow classmates out and urging expression of any kind. I get irritated when I listen to people gripe, but don't take action to make the change they want.
If an American citizen doesn't like what the president is doing, but that person didn't cast a ballot in the election, then be quiet. Likewise, people will always disagree with The DEN's coverage choices if our readership doesn't put pressure on us for what they feel is important information.
Whether you think we're idiots or brilliant student leaders, tell us and participate in this public forum called media.
Make me do my job because if you hide behind a blank piece of paper, then nothing will get written.
Rick Kambic is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at denopinions@gmail.com.
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If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 13
Scott C
Scott C
posted 8/26/08 @ 6:34 AM CST
As an Eastern alumni, I have noticed that many people come out in the comment section, such as the infamous Geology Giant, or whatever he/she wants to call themselves, and rant endlessly about the individual journalist's ability to spell-check or proof-read their articles before they are published. (Continued…)
J
posted 8/26/08 @ 11:08 PM CST
I really don't understand why it's of any importance to leave a "name." It seems a little disingenuous to imply there wouldn't be any repercussions if someone is able to match a particular viewpoint to a name. (Continued…)
B
posted 8/28/08 @ 12:28 PM CST
yes rick, I'd love to write columns and do your job for you.
J
posted 8/28/08 @ 10:51 PM CST
Matt Meinheit,
Your analogy seems to suggest that people should be ready to die for the opinion they post on a campus newspaper. I know you probably take your job seriously, at least on paper, but I seriously doubt if you had an OPINION on something that would most likely get you expelled from college or fired from your job that you would shout it with pride and sign your name, let alone die for it. (Continued…)
J
posted 8/29/08 @ 11:05 AM CST
Sure, he'd have to prove he was a Harvard grad. Simply giving me his name wouldn't suffice.
Kyle Mayhugh
posted 8/29/08 @ 3:02 PM CST
Anonymous speech has a long history of protection and value to society. It is an absolutely vital part of free speech and I, for one, have no problem with anyone who wishes to remain anonymous. (Continued…)
J
posted 8/30/08 @ 9:48 PM CST
I guess I'm still having a problem with what it is that you're asking for.
You can't possibly believe, that the type of person that posts "juvenile trash talk" is actually going to post his real name. (Continued…)
Meinheit
posted 9/01/08 @ 6:23 PM CST
Look, I'm posting my name. Now my comments are credible!!! I'm a douche bag and my new job doesn't give me enough responsibility; that's why I'm commenting on the DEN NEWS site. (Continued…)
Raven
posted 9/02/08 @ 8:00 AM CST
You may not be biased, but you sure are no journalist. What kind of ethical behavior have you been taught that you would resort to abusing your power as editor to complain about something on a paper. (Continued…)
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