Editor explains editorials

By Claire Byun
byunc@mytjnow.com

Instead of an editorial this week, I’m going to clear up a few things with a personal column. Regarding last week’s editorial, “Greek organizations not free from scrutiny,” there was a sort of uproar among some members of the Greek community. But to make everything else crystal clear, let’s start with an explanation of “Our Say.”

The phrase “Our Say” indicates each edition’s editorial, which is the opinion of The Johnsonian as a whole. Every newspaper has an editorial, which is why it’s never accompanied by a name.

Every edition has the “Our Say” phrase above the editorial, just like last year. Nothing has changed. Of course, not every single member of staff will have the same opinion- that’s just silly.

I write the editorials based on the majority opinion of the staff; majority wins, every time.

Many arguments were made concerning our coverage of Winthrop’s Greek life, but the most repeated points were our alleged lack of reporting on philanthropic deeds.

Here’s the thing: holding the same event, for the same reason, at the same time every year does not usually constitute news. Not a single organization on campus receives the exact same coverage every year for the same event, and Greek organizations are no different.

We physically cannot cover every bake sale and food drive each year, nor is that our aim.

We occasionally cover Greek philanthropic work, however, if it’s new or different from last year. Phi Beta Sigma fraternity’s recent event, promoting homelessness awareness, was reported because of it’s unique content. Zeta Tau Alpha’s recent “mini carnival” is even featured in this edition.

The authority behind decisions on news was also questioned. The Johnsonian, as a newspaper and member of the media, makes executive decisions on what to report. More specifically, I make the final decisions on event coverage.

That’s part of my job, as editor-in-chief.

To some, it may seem as though we’re “dragging Greeks through the mud,” as an anonymous online comment stated. If that’s true, we’re also muddying the Council of Student Leaders (CSL), student athletes and Winthrop’s administration.

We report on both positive and negative aspects of campus organizations, and Greek life is no exception.

When student athletes are arrested, such as this week’s story on Reggie Middleton and Gideon Gamble, we report it.

When CSL makes a major decision that affects campus, we report it.

When the administration does something students do not like, we report it.

There is no need for animosity or malice on either side of a debate, but when tempers flare and meanings are incorrectly interpreted, people or groups feel attacked. We have no intentions to drag anyone through the mud, but we’re also not going to back off reporting on groups that represent Winthrop.

The privilege of being a campus organization includes the availability to be criticized and investigated, if there is a relevant reason.

Every organization on campus is open to criticism, including The Johnsonian. That’s why we encourage letters-to-the-editor, comments and emails.

The recent seemingly rousing editorial only encouraged one email to the editors. If there really is a problem with something we report, whether it’s a factual error or simply a disagreement, let me know. There is no productivity in complaining about something but taking no further action.

Below I’ve listed my office hours, and I invite you to have a discussion about any problems or disagreements. As always, I’d love to hear from you.