Have you heard the news about the news? It’s no secret the college newspaper industry is dying. The university systems have to decrease their spending and programs are being cut accordingly. This means any student-run newspaper dependent on its college is in serious danger of losing its funding.
The way in which people receive their information is quickly changing. No longer are we confined to the paper and ink of traditional newspapers. Instead, we utilize pixels, video clips and instant commentary. Where does this leave the future reporters and editors of tomorrow’s newspapers?
Journalism students in California are being hindered by the lack of opportunities to work hands-on with print. We understand budget cuts must be made. However, it doesn’t make sense to take sports balls away from the Physical Education department, or paintbrushes away from the art department, so why is it OK to take away the journalism department’s ability to print? Where else will college campuses get news about themselves? The Sacramento Bee doesn’t cover Sacramento State. The Orange County Register doesn’t cover CSU Fullerton. But The State Hornet does, as does The Daily Titan, respectively. Lose these papers and you lose a piece of what connects students to campuses, and campuses to communities.
Last July, California State University Dominguez Hills was the first CSU to lose its student-run newspaper. When the funding was pulled, the office of the president stepped in to help, but even that couldn’t save The Bulletin. Now that the money is gone, The Bulletin has moved to less-expensive online-only content.
The Orion is completely self-sustained through advertisement revenue. We are not dependent on Chico State for any of our financial support, but other college newspapers aren’t so lucky. Rich Cameron, advisor and instructor at Cerritos College’s Talon Marks in southern California, watched as staff administrators voted to remove the newspaper production class from the journalism program this past May, according to an article in the 2009 Student Press Law Center Report. They were allowed to keep the program if they could keep a minimum number of students in the class. Losing the production class was the “beginning of the end” for the Cerritos College journalism program, Cameron said. He also said many students “cut their teeth on community college publications.” This means if the community college papers start failing, you can bet the four-year colleges are going to feel the strain.
Our fellow students can help. Pick up the paper and go online for exclusives and updates. It’s not hard and you can even get an e-mail subscription on most sites that will automatically inform you when there is breaking news or a new issue out. Students can also help by getting involved. Instead of complaining when your newspaper doesn’t cover an event, call us up with a news tip or an idea. We’re here for you, so get involved and take some pride in your college paper. We offer a service like no other.
Our field is crumbling around us. The only way to save our niche market is to save our fellow papers.
So, fight to save the student-run newspaper. Don’t let overbearing administrators take away any more student papers. Don’t let them take away the only thing that truly reflects the student voice.
Managing Editor Jennifer Siino
News Editor Don Bunce
Opinion Editor Robin Epley
Sports Editor Phil Petermann
Entertainment Editor Earl Parsons
Features Editor Therese Marucci
Photo Editor Jeb Draper
Video Editor Jackson Wong
Online Editor Lauren Mayo
Chief Copy Editor Elizabeth Ghiorso
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