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Show Tuesday, Page II 17 Oct. 30, 2012 ei lpi =Free Speech Zone ii Opinions on this page (columns, letters unless otherwise identified are not from Utah Statesman staff, but from a wide variety of members of the campus community who have strong opinions, just like you do! This is an open forum. Want to write something? Contact: statesman@aggiemaiLusu.edu Utah State University • Logan, Utah • www.utahstatesman.conn What happened to quality journalism On Oct. 27, Rocky Anderson spoke at USU about the news media "spoon-feeding" the American people misinformation. Shallow reporting is helping the government perpetuate injustice, from America's invasion of Iraq during the George W. Bush administration to drone strike during the Obama administration, Anderson said. We respect An Editorial Opinion Anderson for his MEW candor and agree with him that, overall, the quality of journalism in America is declining — but we can't just point our fingers at journalists and say, "You need to work harder." The fact is, many journalists today are working harder than they ever have. There are just many fewer of them. The news industry is still shrinking from the effects of the Internet. Yes, newspapers and broadcast news outlets can make money from Internet advertising, but not nearly as much as they made in their old formats. The Internet is now decades old, but news media still haven't found a way to stay in business beside downsizing reporters, editors and fact-checkers. We're trying to cram the print and broadcast business models into a new format that just won't support them. Another threat to the future of quality journalism is the dwindling number of students considering careers in journalism. Time and time again, we at The Statesman have been discouraged from considering careers in journalism — even by advisors and professors within the journalism and communications department. The decline seems natural, now that there are fewer vacancies in news organizations to fill, but if individuals stop dedicating their lives to the ideals of journalism our society embraces, who will gather news? If the demand for quality journalism rises in the future, like Anderson hopes, will we be able to meet it with a withered supply of journalists? We all value unbiased, truthful news — but do we value it enough to buy a newspaper subscription? Do we value it enough to write letters to the editor, buy ad time or space from local news outlets, or donate to National Public Radio? Right now, we may not value quality journalism enough to pay for it, and the less we pay journalists, the worse our news will get. The quality of news may get so bad that people will reverse the trend and willingly fund for upstart news outlets dedicated to the kind of journalism traditional media is slowly losing — or Americans may stop caring about news. If we can't find a way to pay newsgatherers competitive wages, the big businesses and big government will continue to move us away from democracy and into their pockets. NitrikgrePC PPM= PAIL'? c4xu-xem..ank.A AboutUS Editor in Chief IsNERACcg.1-1kIMAII BRAN 13509ramz News Editor Allee Wilkinson News Senior Writer Tmera Bradley SYRIA 71,496 2s.rni. www.investors.comicartoons SYRIA I~ FIVE 'TIMM LARGE, E,00.12.A.P1-11CAL1Y, THAN LIBYA 00E 331.3DEK, ForumLetters Students aren't stereotypes guage barrier" and that others will help me to understand, just as she does. To the editor: Wenbin Xu and two others As international students at USU, we are responding to "Hitting the Culture Barrier" in the Oct. 17 Statesman. From our perspectives, as international students in a foreign country, we indeed desire to rapidly integrate into this society and adapt to the new environment as soon as possible. We have to admit that there must be some language problems with us, and there are few awkward moments when everybody laughs except us, but our enthusiasm and eagerness to communicate with Americans cannot be denied. Actually, this must be the best way for us to improve our language. However, I have heard this kind of stereotype of international students more than once. Last time I ate dinner at the Junction, a dining hall of USU, I chatted with a native and she said to me, "You are so special, I thought the Chinese students went everywhere in crowds." From my experience I will say this is really just a phenomenon of this Chinese stereotype. My best friend, Morgan, a Tennessean, and I do everything together, except shower, of course. She always tells me to go around and make some new friends. She says not to worry about the "Ian- No poster child is perfect To the editor: This is in response to Liz Emery's article that was published in the Statesman edition of Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012. In her article Ms. Emery makes several assumptions about Amanda Todd, a 15 year old that committed suicide. My purpose is not to write about Amanda's situation or her reasons for taking her own life, but rather to write and express my distaste for Ms. Emery's response. WANTED: New poster child for the anti-bullying movement. Requirements: Smart, physically attractive by society's standards, successful, popular among friends and strangers, protective parents that track every action online/offline, communicates any/all concerns to parents, friends and therapists, no desire to experiment with alcohol or drugs, abstinent, the ability to prevent strangers from stalking you, no desire for personal attention, and of course, someone who has been bullied before. Responsibilities: Never have any "issues" (as Ms. Emery puts it). Never show that you are Sports Editor a regular human being with questions, inexperience and doubts about life. If you feel like a teenager, you are failing, because teenagers should never have to learn anything new, rather they should already have these life lessons, values, experiences and wisdom instilled in them. Please email your applications and include professional headshots, highlighting any plastic surgery, rhinoplasty, face lifts or changes made to your natural body. Not votin but not lazy To the editor: Voting for me is low on a long list of priorities, right after hand carving a canoe. I think many engaged students would take offense to Dr. Lyon calling students lazy for not voting in a presidential election. Even the percentage of students are informed to Dr. Lyon's standard (which is cornpletely arbitrary) may find better uses of their time like me. For instance, I could do homework, or work to earn money. The probability that one vote could influence the election is so astronomical that it isn't relevant to vote. Unless your goal for voting is to "be heard." But if that is the case, the best way to be heard is not vote, but to be ► See LETTERS, Page 12 Gary Herbert has served the state of Utah well as governor since his appointment in 2009 following Jon Huntsman's resignation. He is currently seeking to be elected to his first full term as governor of Utah. His primary opponent in the gubernatorial race is Democratic candidate Peter Cooke, a retired major general in AColumn Divided Two students take two angles on one political issue the U.S. Army Reserve. To be honest, I know very little about Cooke. From what I have been able to learn about him, he seems to be a fine man who has served his country well and has been successful in business. If I didn't think the state wasn't being managed well at the moment, I'd give him a serious look: However, I believe Gov. Herbert has been an excellent leader of the state. Herbert has been a strong advocate of pro-growth and pro-business policies in Utah with the state seeing a dropping unemployment rate and growing hiring rate since he was appointed governor. He has also eliminated more than 300 unnecessary business regulations, making it easier for businesses to expand. Utah has been ranked by Forbes as the best state in the country for business, and I believe Herbert will continue to make this an attractive place for businesses to locate. He recognizes that businesses seek a return on their investment, which is often why they choose to bring their business to Utah. Herbert has also been a strong voice for education ► See RIGHT, Page 12 Features Editor Natasha Bodily Features Senior Writer April Ashland Democrat challenges Governor Herbert ►See LEFT, Page 12 Copy Editor Eric Jungblut Our View While the attention Mike McPhie of the country has turned to the race for the White House, it is easy to forget From there are a number of local and state elections that left have a significant impact on our lives. In Utah, the gubernatorial race presents a critically important election that will likely shape the course of the state for years to come. While so many are frustrated with partisanship and extremism in politics, we find ourselves with a choice between an administration laden with scandals and controversy and a candidate that brings a moderate approach and strong experience to lead the state. Peter Cooke is undoubtedly the most qualified candidate to meet the needs of the people of Utah. His experience ranges from longtime service in the military, where he attained the rank of major general, to a background in business as well as working in the public sector. He was involved in preparing housing for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games and has worked to restore Fort Douglas and promote Hill Air Force Base. He is also a successful small businessman who understands the economic needs of the state. He has worked constantly to create partnerships between the public and private sector, a skill important in his business and significantly affecting his policies for governing. The ideas and vision Cooke brings are indispensable to the progress of the state. He places strong emphasis on education, noting that "Investing in schools is key to Steve Kent Tavin Stucki Sports Senior Writer Curtis Lundstrom Photo Editor Delayne Locke Senior Photographer Curtis Ripplinger Web Editor Karlie Brand Editorial Staff: Steve Kent Allee Evensen Delayne Locke Tavin Stucki Eric Jungblut Natasha Bodily Karli Brand About letters • Letters should be limited to 400 words. • All letters may be shortened, edited or rejected for reasons of good taste, redundancy or volume of similar letters. • Letters must be topic oriented. They may not be directed toward individuals. Any letter directed to a specific individual may be edited or not printed. • No anonymous letters will be published. Writers must sign all letters and include a phone number or e-mail address as well as a student identification number (none of which is published). Letters will not be printed without this verification. • Letters representing groups — or more than one individual — must have a singular representative clearly stated, with all necessary identification information. • Writers must wait 21 days before submitting successive letters — no exceptions. • Letters can be hand delivered or mailed to The Statesman in the TSC, Room 105, or can be e-mailed to statesman@aggiemail. usu.edu, or click on www.utahstatesman. corn for more letter guidelines and a box to submit letters. Polls, submission box, calendars, news archives and more: www.utahstatesman .com |