One of the most powerful tools at the disposal of any citizen is the ability to have their voice engraved in the press in an unrestricted and uncensored manner. The problem arises when the medium of that press is succumbing to outside problems.
This is not going to be a jab at any administration or the alleging of some conspiracy against us, it is simply to bring the fact to the forefront that the Branding Iron does not have enough staff to keep and consistent and strong output possible.
There are not enough students who are engaging with the student press either as journalists or as simple readers, and that presents a massive problem for this position as well as the university as large.
I understand the initial reaction to this piece is to brush it off with rebuttals like “If people do not work/read it, then it is not worth anything” or “Of course the Editor-in-Chief thinks it is important!”
However, I make the call to students to consider this on a deeper level.
First, the Branding Iron is unique in its ability to aggrandize student voices and set the student perspective at the forefront of every publication.
We are first and foremost a student paper, built by students, staffed by students, run by students, for the sake of students. There are many institutions on campus who speak for students or claim to do so, but there are none where the student voice and character is as ingrained into the very fabric of the organization.
This paper and all of the accompanying media runs because of you, the student who shares your quotes, your photos, your life, and your experiences.
Without more students who engage from either the creation or consumption end, the voice you as students deserve will be greatly reduced or even, potentially, completely cut.
Second, the Branding Iron is one of the major bridges between many students on the higher administrations on this campus.
Due to the nature of what journalism is, the Branding Iron is one of the few methods students can use to bring their concerns, praises, cheers, or boos to positions such as the president’s office. While there are others, a degradation in any channel the students have to share their uncensored voices is a travesty.
Without the staff to be able to connect in every way that should be done, and without the students to supply their thoughts as fuel to the engine of the Branding Iron, the students may lose an avenue that they should always have.
Third, the Branding Iron needs to hold other organizations accountable, but we also need to be held accountable.
The news medium is powerful in that investigative research or the things you choose to cover are the basis for how the university and community at large views issues. If you want to cover some activity or some administrator either positively or negatively, that holds them accountable to their actions.
The Branding Iron gives students the power to deem when those on campus should be praised and when those on campus should be criticized. Without the writers to host the channels of communication, there are many who could go on in life in this university without experiencing the good or bad consequences of their works.
Without writers, we will never be able to cover the fruits of labor for the many clubs and events who toil endlessly to produce a positive impact on this campus.
Without writers, we will never be able to call out problematic behaviors and procedures of those who may need to face those accusations.
More importantly, without writers, we cannot reasonably be held as “the voice of the students”.
We owe accountability to you to cover the subjects important to this school and to you as students. Without your support, we cannot feasibly ordain ourselves with doing things in your interest. Just as we hold this university accountable, we need you to help ensure we are accounting to those we connect with.
I can rant off many more reasons about why working at Student Journalism is a good thing. I can go on a diatribe about how I started as a glorified cameraman and ended up the Editor-in-Chief. However, in the end the only things you really need to know are this.
We are here for you, by you. To protect your voices, your speech, your thoughts. To cover the subjects that you want and that impact you. We cannot do these things without you. That is why the Branding Iron needs more support from you.
