The Wall Street Journal is a journalistic institution. First published in 1889, the same year as Elon's founding, it is one of the nation's most widely-read and well-respected journalistic institutions.
But last week, despite the growing number of Occupy Wall Street protesters, the paper offered little coverage, and certainly not front-page real estate, to the thousands who had taken to marching, chanting and carrying signs decrying the financial industry and blaming it for the state of the American economy. So what did the group do? It made its own newspaper, a four-page, full-color publication called The Occupied Wall Street Journal.
In it are articles that explain the mission of the protesters and how to participate, a letter from the publishers, pictures, quotes from Twitter and even an infographic map showing where the protestors can find food, bathrooms, first aid and a place to rest.
It is a well-designed, visually-appealing, powerful product and a tangible representation of the movement. And the creation of such a product is nothing new.
Since the idea of newspapers emerged in the Western world, people have created publications to champion their movement, especially in the United States. From Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" pamphlet to the partisan press during the nation-building process to the abolitionist press, there have always been those who thought an idea deserved a voice, so they put it to paper and spread it around the world.
In an age of conflict over every element of society, of political and economic unrest, of general disenchantment with our country's system and ideals, it is a comfort to know that at least our inclinations to speak and publish remain alive and well.
The Occupy Wall Street protesters thought the established media outlets weren't doing enough to cover their movement, so they did what any endeavoring American would do: they took care of it themselves.
The media in its established outlets and forms is not the end-all be-all of information. In this technological age, that is an even truer sentiment.
Sometimes we don't cover what needs to be covered. Stories slip through the cracks, we focus on other topics, we simply can't get someone to write. It happens. Even at Elon, The Pendulum and other sources of information aren't the only places to get information. If we don't cover it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
And we would hope people who don't feel their movement or event is getting enough coverage would take it in their own hands to get the message out, like two Elon students did in 2003.
In that year, two seniors, one communications major and one business major, began publishing Bubble Bitching, an underground newspaper at Elon. It was a one-page, bi-weekly publication that soon faded, but painted Elon in a completely different light.
That medium of expression is fantastic and exactly what the First Amendment is all about. We tip our hat to the publishers of The Occupied Wall Street Journal, not because we either support or oppose their cause, but because we support the use of the press to support and inform the public. There are few causes as just or noble.