When the new edition of The Pendulum hits the stands Wednesday mornings, the staff of the news organization expects feedback. Whether it comes in the form of red mark-ups from our adviser, Colin Donohue, critical emails from well-meaning professors or text messages from my mom about a misspelled word on the front page (she keeps insisting she wants to join our staff as a copy editor), we are no stranger to the fact that our publication will cause a stir.
And, in all honesty, we hope it does. But not generally in the way you might think.
In a profession that repeatedly ranks among the lowest in inspiring trust from the public, journalists and especially student journalists, have been hard-wired to prepare themselves for the leveling of claims against them.
Bias. Sensationalism. Left-leaning.
These are terms that are repeatedly thrown out against an institution that is as old and significant as the nation itself. Granted, in some cases, as much as we hope not, they have merit.
But what journalists should never be forced to withstand is the refusal of key sources to speak with them on the record about significant issues and topics on campus.
Don’t agree with an angle of a story? Then, by all means, let us know. Write a letter to an editor, leave a comment on our website, submit your own story idea. But, please, don’t shut yourself off to our reporters and publication. Don’t criticize it behind closed doors. It’s cowardly and detrimental to all involved when sources knowledgeable about key issues refuse to share their expertise and input.
The Pendulum is a learning lab. We’re going to make mistakes but you can bet we’re going to learn from them. The remainder of my career as a journalist will not be defined by the success I’ve had on the staff of The Pendulum but by the moments that made me correct, reflect and then grow.
If there’s one thing I’ve come to learn as a reporter, and now editor, for The Pendulum, it’s that it’s impossible to make everyone happy — and we’re not in the business of trying. For a people-pleaser like me, it’s a hard reality to grasp that what you write isn’t always going to make people feel warm and fuzzy. But that’s the beauty of journalism. As much as it is meant to inform, it can also challenge and inspire the readers to act.
So, audience, remember: We can’t promise that we’re always going to make you happy with our front-page story or editorial stance. But what we can promise is that we’re going to do our best to bring you enlightening, entertaining and detailed reports about the news that matters to you — and expect you to respond and keep us accountable.
And you should demand nothing less.
[box] Caitlin O'Donnell explains more about the motivation behind her Letter from the Editor. Video by Chris Bosak, executive producer of The Swing.[/box]