Many people may not realize the purpose of a newspaper. Aspiring journalists are taught that news organizations are supposed to tell people what to think about, not what to think. That phrase is in many textbooks for mass communication classes.
The textbook used in Southeastern’s mass communication classes says, “…journalists tell people the news and information they need to make decisions about their lives,” which in turn gets people talking about news that affects them.
If an article that is run in a newspaper starts a discussion, then the paper is doing its job. That doesn’t mean a paper runs articles that are sensational, just to get people talking, but articles that bring awareness.
There is a difference between news articles and opinion articles. When writing a news article reporters have to take care to make sure none of their opinion is in the article. It is the reporter‘s job to report just the facts so the readers can form their own opinion on a topic.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Every newspaper has an opinion section so people can express what is on their mind. In opinion sections the articles express the opinions of the writer. Before the opinion section all newspapers state the policy for that section. Usually it goes along the lines of “the opinions expressed in the opinion section belong to the writer.”
The Southeastern is a student-run newspaper and Southeastern students write the articles in it. All viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged.
When something printed in these pages gets a discussion going and students read something that moves them to write a letter to the editor, it is a sign that the paper is reporting on things that matter to the community. It means that people are reading and forming an opinion they believe in enough to take the time to ensure it is in the paper.
A student doesn’t have to write a letter to the editor. Any Southeastern student can have an opinion about something, write about it and send it in to the editor. Letters to the editor are generally in response to an article, while writers who have strong feelings on a subject and want to inform people about them write opinion articles. Some might believe that you have to be on the newspaper staff to write an opinion article for the paper. As a voice for Southeastern students that is not the case. The best feeling for many editors is to have an article submitted by a member of the student body.
Since faculty and staff read The Southeastern it is a good way to let them know what they are doing right, or what could be changed to possibly ways to make things better. An article written by a student could spark a discussion in any given department and eventually lead to changes.
So if an article has been printed in these pages that you feel strongly about, write a letter to the editor. The policy for letters to the editor is printed on this very page, along with how to submit it to the editor.
If you have a strong opinion about something on campus and your friends are tired of hearing it, send it in. The information on how to make sure your article gets to the editor and into print or in the online edition is also on this page.
Hopefully some who have read this will take these words to heart and be moved to express an opinion in ink.