Editor says: Let the dialogues begin

Apologies to all expecting to read the ruminations of Editor-in-Chief Monica Luna. At the time of this writing, she was in the Netherlands for the 2009 Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) conference, so, while she expands her mind on more worldly concerns, I will take her place for this one issue.For the past few days, I have been dealing with the barrage of ideas pounding in my head like a ballista. What could I write about? The seemingly slow demise of print? The realization that Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, is becoming the lone voice of reason in mainstream media? I even toyed with the idea of following Monica’s typical Editor’s Corner format, but after a day of chronicling, I realized I’m not that interesting-something Monica points out often.My dilemma, however, was soon resolved after a visit to the Bridge Web site (www.thebridgenewspaper.com). What caught my attention was an article by Staff Writer Luis Ramirez titled “Greek life thrives despite its low profile.” It had 5 comments and 52 reads (as I write this, Luis’ article now has 21 comments and 367 reads).I was thrilled to see the Web site getting activity but was puzzled by the comments-specifically this one post from Sigma Nu Delta that “denounced” Luis’s article and asked for “the editor of The Bridge to publicly announce their (sic) neutrality as a journalistic entity.” I noticed the article was, unfortunately, listed under the News section. I quickly moved the article to Opinions and left it at that. As the days rolled by though, people still commented on the biased nature of the article.My view is that Luis’ piece is an opinion; it’s supposed to be biased. With this thought in mind, I want to briefly explain the actual differences between a news story and an opinion. A news story reports about the facts of an event: the who, what, when, where, why, and how. An opinion is the author offering his or her ideas and/or beliefs.This explanation, however, is too cut and dry because, at times, the line between news and opinion becomes blurred. Luis’ article serves as a fine example. He interviews people and refers to factual situations, yet all his facts are used to support his opinion. Whether he did support it fully is up to the reader, and based on the online comments, it seems some felt he did, some felt he didn’t; that’s okay, our writers can handle criticism. And that brings me to my next point. I will borrow a few words from one commentator, Juvenal. She/he in response to a Sigma Nu Delta poster, states, “It’s fine that you think [the article is “full of holes”], but I have a question. What holes? Give examples. Don’t simply say something. Back it up.”I echo that thought: Back it up. This is your paper, your vehicle to express your feelings. If you disagree with one of our writers, then, let your voice be heard, but be willing to use your name. It is a shame only three people used their real names when commenting on Luis’ article. Our writers are exposed to criticism as they should be, and as I now shall be. You, as commentators, should also be willing to be criticized. Don’t hide behind a digital mask. I will conclude with this message. Respond! If you disagree with something, submit a response for publication. If you want to praise us, send that, too. However, be ready for us to respond as well. As writers, we take our work seriously, and if an accusation levied against us is, we feel, unjust, we will defend our views. But, that is what makes working for this paper fun. This paper is for students to be heard, and though we are staff, we are also students. Let the dialogues begin.