A different part of the newsroom speaks on the Karson column controversy
This has been the most agonizing and frustrating week of our careers with the Campus Press.
Last Monday, an opinion column written by Max Karson was posted on the Campus Press asking white students to rise up against the Asian students on campus and Americanize them against their will. The intent of the author was satire. However, the piece was not labeled as such and it was not obviously clear to the community that it was, in fact, satire.
Many of us — we do not speak on behalf of the entire Campus Press staff — disagreed with the publishing of the opinion. It was a mistake and we do not stand behind the decision to publish the opinion. It has harmed the campus community. It has harmed our rapport with our sources, detracted from the content of the Web site’s other sections and thrown the Campus Press in a truly unsavory light.
Karson’s was just the latest in a series of opinion pieces that ran on our Web site that have not upheld the highest values of journalistic ethics that we value and have worked so hard to uphold. We have seen racism, bigotry, negativity and almost nothing based on any sort of fact or journalistic integrity in the opinion section.
The Campus Press is not The Onion and we are not the Daily Show. We are not satirists working for a comedy publication. Satire in this hateful and derogatory manner is not journalism.
We are journalists and, as such, we have standards to enforce. A quality journalistic opinion is based in fact, addresses an issue from all angles and poses a solution. We need to show compassion for the people our stories affect.
Among others, Karson’s column did none of these things. It was hurtful and for that we are truly and deeply sorry.
We did not see this article before it ran. We felt the same shock and outrage that the rest of campus felt when they read the opinion Monday afternoon. We spoke out and tried to initiate a dialogue.
Unfortunately a productive and effective conversation was not begun until it was too late to turn back the approaching firestorm.
Many have argued this is a First Amendment issue. We are journalists; we have a strong understanding of and passion for our freedoms. That is not what this issue is about.
The question over this opinion was not whether or not we at the Campus Press have a right to publish but whether the publication of that material adheres to our own journalistic ethics. Our opinion is that Karson’s column does not.
We the undersigned emphasize that we take serious issue with the choice to publish this opinion. Up to now, the media has implied a united stance in our newsroom. This was not the case.
The actions of several persons have jeopardized the journalistic careers of all the editors, reporters and photographers involved in this publication. We love and respect our colleagues, but this is simply a decision we cannot support.
At this point we are taking measures to ensure that to the best of our abilities, events of this nature never occur again. We are focused on creating a healthy opinions section that can spark conversation in a non-offensive way. We, as members of this editorial staff, are actively voicing our concerns so as to encourage more open dialogue among the staff and readers alike in the future. We will make a strong effort on our part to speak on the behalf of the student body in our newsroom on what should be published in the Campus Press. It is, after all, the CU student voice.
The Campus Press’ leadership is beginning to show an impetus toward change and rectification of this problem. While the process will take a good deal of time, we are encouraged by the steps that are being taken. We hope that as a result the future of our publication is brighter.
At this point, we desire to move on from this incident and look to the future. Furthermore, after discussion and debate, the newsroom now stands united, at the very least, on moving the Campus Press forward from this incident.
We thank you for your support, comments and concerns at this time of healing for the Campus Press.
Signed,
Brandon Springer
News Section Editor
Kyle McDaniel
Sports Section Editor
Jimmy Himes
News Section Editor
Lauren Friedman
Entertainment Section Editor
Taran Volckhausen
Multimedia Editor
Cameron Naish
Assistant Entertainment Editor
Scott Franz
Assistant Photo Editor
Margot Schneider
Assistant Sports Section Editor
Kate Spencer
Assistant News Editor
