Spring Break
Open letter to Dr. Larry Edward Penley:
Faculty members of the Department of Journalism at CSU
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Opinion
The Department of Journalism and Technical Communication faculty and staff named below strongly object to any prospective acquisition of The Rocky Mountain Collegian by the Fort Collins Coloradoan relative to or any transfer of financial management and/or editorial oversight of our student-run newspaper to a private enterprise.
Although this matter is complex, we'd like to specify some vital reasons for our objection.
The lack of transparency at a public institution in the process relative to the initial meeting between your office and Gannett. Because this is a public institution and the newspaper's existence is at issue, representatives from the Collegian should be included in any relevant proceedings. The secrecy, timing and lack of student media representation has set a negative precedent.
The prospect of losing an independent student medium. Disenfranchising our students' voice is unacceptable, given their voice has been an integral part of Colorado State University for over 100 years. Combining two competing media organizations threatens the marketplace of ideas, thus democratic participation, for readers of both newspapers involved.
The prospect of there being no independent news entity covering Colorado State University. If the Coloradoan acquires the Collegian, no Fort Collins area newspaper, or major news organization, would be independently responsible for covering the largest employer in town and one of two major public universities in the state. It's important that the private commercial newspaper and this large public institution remain separate. Journalists involved would experience an ethical dilemma and an inevitable conflict of interest, compromising the watchdog role of both newspapers in covering university affairs and actions.
Students learn, thrive and prosper in a public environment. Even the best corporate environment suffers from newsroom and news hole cuts, chills that can lead to self-censorship, forbidden language and coverage relative to "sensitive" and "close to home issues," lowering of journalistic standards and other threats that would greatly encumber student journalism. When given responsibility, students will take the challenge. They learn from mistakes.
Although this matter is complex, we'd like to specify some vital reasons for our objection.
The lack of transparency at a public institution in the process relative to the initial meeting between your office and Gannett. Because this is a public institution and the newspaper's existence is at issue, representatives from the Collegian should be included in any relevant proceedings. The secrecy, timing and lack of student media representation has set a negative precedent.
The prospect of losing an independent student medium. Disenfranchising our students' voice is unacceptable, given their voice has been an integral part of Colorado State University for over 100 years. Combining two competing media organizations threatens the marketplace of ideas, thus democratic participation, for readers of both newspapers involved.
The prospect of there being no independent news entity covering Colorado State University. If the Coloradoan acquires the Collegian, no Fort Collins area newspaper, or major news organization, would be independently responsible for covering the largest employer in town and one of two major public universities in the state. It's important that the private commercial newspaper and this large public institution remain separate. Journalists involved would experience an ethical dilemma and an inevitable conflict of interest, compromising the watchdog role of both newspapers in covering university affairs and actions.
Students learn, thrive and prosper in a public environment. Even the best corporate environment suffers from newsroom and news hole cuts, chills that can lead to self-censorship, forbidden language and coverage relative to "sensitive" and "close to home issues," lowering of journalistic standards and other threats that would greatly encumber student journalism. When given responsibility, students will take the challenge. They learn from mistakes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 24
Craig Hawley
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:42 AM MST
To all the staff who signed this. You have got to be kidding.
You say that kids learn by their mistakes. How many times must profanity be used for them to learn. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:51 AM MST
Those who do , do.
Those who can't do teach.
LMAO!
dante
posted 1/31/08 @ 7:55 AM MST
It's a little late for the Journalism Department to rush to the forefront with ideas of student growth and leadership. The Collegian board has made a series of poor choices, and the faculty's lack of journalistic input or supervision has been very evident. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 1/31/08 @ 8:16 AM MST
Hey here is a thought why don't we keep the Collegian , and get rid of McSwane and the journalism department profs and all. LOL!
Perhaps the professors don't want to paper sold so they can control the liberal content by creating McSwanes. (Continued…)
Arvensis
posted 1/31/08 @ 8:31 AM MST
Well stated Craig and Dante. Two quotes in this ungrounded plead really blow my mind.
"The secrecy, timing and lack of student media representation has set a negative precedent. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 1/31/08 @ 9:28 AM MST
Response to "Open Letter":
So what if you people don't like it?
You're faculty, not administration.
This decision is way above your "pay grade". (Continued…)
owillie
posted 1/31/08 @ 10:13 AM MST
Thank you journalism faculty for standing up for The Collegian. A Gannett take-over would have far reaching, negative consequences that would last for many years beyond the current Collegian staff, student body, and many administrators or faculty. (Continued…)
College student
posted 1/31/08 @ 10:27 AM MST
Craig -- it's about time you got a life and found something other to do than rant about a tiny student newspaper, don't you think? Do you sit and wait for the articles to post every day so you can be nasty and crude? I think we might get the point that you don't like McSwane or the paper, so perhaps it's time to start harassing someone new. (Continued…)
Sk8rgurl13
posted 1/31/08 @ 11:27 AM MST
Dear Craig,
Please go back to the Army. I believe your wisdom, insights and valuable life experience would save the Iraqi people as it has saved the Colorado State University students. (Continued…)
Registered Independent
posted 1/31/08 @ 4:03 PM MST
What a wit this girl is.
Quick, one of you faculty members should get her signed up to write for the Collegian before the opportunity slips away.
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