COLUMN: An invitation for conversation
Everybody loves to hate a news source. At its worst, news is biased, inaccurate and misleading. I often find myself flipping through articles of various papers wondering how such rubbish can hit print.
“Clearly the reporter has the story all wrong,” I think to myself. “Anybody could have written a piece better than that.”
I know I am not alone in feeling this way.
When dealing with something as rapid and dynamic as news, disagreements and mistakes are inevitable. But at its best, news is a light guiding its audience through a murky pool of chaotic banter and misinformation. It is designed to empower rather than alienate.
Central Michigan Life, whatever the name might mean to you, is the voice of students at Central Michigan University. As this year’s Voices Editor, and having been with CM Life for four years, I have witnessed the newsroom at highs and lows. Over the years, we have been everything from the butt of jokes to a well-respected newspaper.
Recently, we have come under fire for stories about the Greek community as well as coverage of the recent Welcome Weekend. Some students and community members disagreed with the way stories were written. Hearing such difference in opinion elates me.
It is the reason I aspire to be a journalist.
By nature, news today is a conversation. Readers have the opportunity – I would argue the obligation – to weigh in on the information they consume. The more analysis and criticism of a news source, the more informed the readership. And the more informed the readership, the stronger the news source.
CM Life is the voice of students only as far as students are willing to have their voices heard. We work hard to keep our readers informed and involved, and I would argue we do a heck of a job doing so.
Agree? Good. Disagree? Even better. The beauty of an opinion is that everybody has one. I invite you to bring life to yours and take place in the always-interesting discussions of your community.
