Chart

Well Parker you have to understand the animosity that is shown to you guys. In the past the Chart has written nothing but negative, bias crap that no one wants to end up reading week after week or talk to any reporters to only have their quotes twisted and a future issue.

To expand on this a bit further, I have to say that The Chart is doing a much better job this year of not being negative on everything they report. Even though there is this change, the rest of campus is still a little hesitant and hostile.

In defense of the Chart, Adam, I think you were making some pretty harsh and biased comments yourself. You say that the Chart has written nothing but 'negative, bias crap that no one wants to end up reading', but if I recall correctly, you are constantly making comments (negative or otherwise) on pretty much the majority of the articles the Chart has published.

Like Parker said- this is a student-run paper. Mistakes are bound to happen and if and when they do misquote people I know that they issue an apology and correct it as soon as possible.

Because they made one mistake in running some loser's article (no offense, Nathan) and everyone's going to base their opinions off ONE mistake? That's pretty ignorant and I'm sure the rest of campus would be appalled to know that you're speaking for them in saying they're unhappy with the Chart. Pretty sure the non-trads ended up shaving Nathan anyways for that- so let us put the Charts mistakes behind us, grow up, and give them the benefit of the doubt like we show every other organization on campus.

-Meagan

To be fair, some students might add some questions of their own to that list.

If a non-traditional student asks a question at the end of a lecture, are they going to be ridiculed in print and online for a month?

If a student senator thinks a disciplinary matter should be handled in-house in accordance with the rules of order so that, God forbid, people might take senate seriously, is he going to spend the rest of his term getting flogged and having people calling the attorney general asking for his arrest?

Unfortunately, the answer to both questions, and even most of the ones you asked, is a resounding yes. The Chart does stay in racks all week and online articles are around forever. That means that not just the Chart, but every student or student group ever featured in the Chart has exactly the same level of publicity and transparency as the Chart itself.

If people take a negative attitude toward you, the cause is often at your own doorstep. People can't complain about you slamming them if you're not slamming them to begin with. You can't just say that kind of thing is a tiny mistake that people only found because they had infinite time to nitpick the paper. It was a glaring error of judgment that legitimately offended a lot of people as soon as they saw just the headline.

Parker, I respect that you take ownership of your position. You knew, when you signed on as editor, that you would live in a fishbowl; your readers have reminded you of that. The paper is visible and your point about negativity is valid. Southern does have enough bad publicity without the students fighting among themselves and we all need to use our super powers for good.

If it's any concillation, The Collegio at PSU can't generate a fraction of the comments the Chart does...fishbowl, perhaps, but I would say you are not the guppy anymore; perhaps you even qualify for the cool scuba-guy!

"Now tell me, what organization on campus has that kind of transparency?" - Parker Willis

Big boy organizations that tout "transparency" don't hide behind anonymous columns. Whether to recieve accolades, or to hear criticism, showing responsibility for your work is part of a real journalism student's "learning process".

Until your organization stops flinging their own poo and tossing barbs at RTV from your hiding place (Chart Castle), journalism students' growth will be stunted. That's not transparency, and it's certainly not beneficial to your (maybe) future careers. Grow a pair and start signing your names to your columns, kiddos.