in following the example of barret d. lybbert, i decided to protest something published in the daily universe. in fact, a plethora of somethings.
for example:
-this front-page article about twilight, of all things, which was published today.
-this front-page article about finding a hot date in the library, from earlier this week.
-this front-page article about whether or not you should wait for your missionary, also from earlier this week.
i am well aware that the daily universe publishes many well-written, informed articles about campus activities. i am also well aware that students are responsible for writing the articles. but why on EARTH do they write such ridiculous, practically offensive articles about such shallow, unimportant topics? and then have them be on the front page?
this is the letter i sent to the daily universe. they may or may not publish it. but i am just sick and tired of reading stories about things like this, and knowing that others who read this judge the BYU community by what they see on the front page. not all of us are concerned with such infantile issues as those.
Dear Daily Universe,
This semester's front page articles have been absolutely insulting, and today's article about the opening of New Moon is the final straw. Earlier this week, there was an article about whether or not girls should consider waiting for their missionary. And another article about romantic encounters in the library. How much can you insult the intelligence of the BYU community? Unfortunately, The Daily Universe is the only news source for the majority of BYU students. Even more unfortunately, they don't actually get any news from reading it. Would it hurt to actually cover national and global events instead of giving a two-paragraph snippet on the back page? What about actual events that are happening in Utah, Provo, and BYU? I understand that The Daily Universe is mainly a student-run newspaper and that obviously, it is difficult to come up with topics to cover, but there are opportunities all around us that would be must more informative than these topics. Isn't BYU's motto "Enter to learn, go forth to serve"? How are we to do that if our own newspaper only gives us stories about the most ridiculous popular trilogy of this year? I fail to see how these main stories are in any way newsworthy or of any interest to a somewhat educated audience (which, ostensibly, a university of students should be). Don't talk down to us and underestimate our intelligence, and don't continue to represent the BYU community in such a shallow, naive way. I for one am ready to see some articles about real stories and real issues.
i know it's not really a big deal. and even if nothing happens, it feels good to get some steam off after this long and stressful week and make a statement. alec, tanner, and annalise, at least, all agree with me. it would help if the daily universe invested in some truly competent editors, too (who will ever forget the "Twelve Apostates" incident of winter semester?) . . . but i didn't think i needed to go that far.
11 comments:
seriously.
try writing something worth while.
something with substance.
something that you will want to show to grad schools.
or potential employers.
or grandchildren.
etc.
love you a.
talk more about this later? yes.
the editors are students too...and yes, the issues are infantile but they cannot take on anything serious because they would get flack from Cecil/the GAs about it...its not a free press, and its the students first experience with writing articles. I dunno, I used to be like you, but now I guess just dont care enough haha. so kudos! :)
i guess i had more to say/add to what alyse said.
what i am realizing is that the line between "journalism" and "entertainment" are blurring and that the DU is only only helping push us [society in general] down that slippery slope [excuse the cliché].
there is little difference between the trash published in People or other yellow newpapers staring us in the face at the grocery isle and what we are reading [or skipping over] in the DU
and the excuse that Cecil/the General Authorities would be on the DUs back seems a bit ridiculous. sure it's not a free press, but i'm not asking for controversial/sensational news. i just want to know what is going on at home and abroad. wasn't it recently that one of them gave a talk called "good, better, best"?
currently i'm not even sure that most days the DU could claim "good", especially the front page.
oh, and most of the time the world or national news that is covered is just borrowed from the associated press and isn't even written by BYU students.
Well said!
It's true, I only read the DU for entertainment purposes because i know it doesn't have any real news in it. Also for the sudoku.
I do wish it had real news.
my high school paper was better...it might be because I was the editor in chief. I think the daily universe needs me.
mostly i just want to see the articles edited. please.
alexandra, i totally understand that. i don't mean to hate on the poor journalism students who are assigned their article topics and whatnot... i just think that whoever chooses those topics is ridiculous. and i really don't even know what to think when i see yet another headline about twilight on the front page.
oh, and the editors shot was low, i admit it... but i feel like as a fellow editing minor i at least know what it entails and can judge. (i'm a horrible person, i know)
NO! Don't feel bad at all! This is interesting... I'll pass this post/comments onto Mckay, he's my good friend and editor in chief right now...
PS The more 'saged' I become about BYU, I am just not convinced there is a whole lot for them to cover haha...that's why it's getting more glitzy... if you want news, go to NY Times, or Daily Herald for Provo...
Uh ohhh, I didn't see Grants name in the list of family who agreed with you... this worried me that he wasn't included and might be harboring some trust and excitment in the articles he reads in the Daily Universe. Please get back to me, this concerns me.
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