A sincere and needed apology
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Opinion
The Collegian editors deeply regret printing our April 2 editorial weekly against the baseball team. It was cruel, gratuitous, unprofessional, unethical and haphazard, and we sincerely apologize. We printed hearsay rather than established facts, and printed an personal attack rather than reasoned opinion. We were wrong.
The staff editorial, or weekly, comes from the eight editors listed on this page at the top of the staff box. We discuss the week's news and our collective opinion regarding it. Sometimes we disagree and cannot resolve our differences.
Such was the case this week, when we had decided to write on another subject but could not agree on our collective argument. We held several additional meetings attempting to resolve this, but could not. Then, at 2 a.m. last Wednesday (print night), we looked at each other, bleary-eyed and spent, and decided in haste and frustration to dash off the baseball editorial as the rest of the paper went to press.
The next morning, we realized our solution had been worse than the problem. We crossed the line from careful consideration to shameful smear, and should not have. That's why we published, within 24 hours, an apology on The Collegian's Web site. It's why we are publishing this note and your angered responses from last week on today's opinions page.
The Collegian has worked hard this year at transparency with you, our readers, and have explained our failures after making them. Our editorials should reflect the same kind of consideration and care with which we approach the rest of the paper.
Last week, we were wrong. Please rest assured: We have learned our lesson and will work to rebuild your trust.
Sincerely,
The Collegian's Editorial Board
The staff editorial, or weekly, comes from the eight editors listed on this page at the top of the staff box. We discuss the week's news and our collective opinion regarding it. Sometimes we disagree and cannot resolve our differences.
Such was the case this week, when we had decided to write on another subject but could not agree on our collective argument. We held several additional meetings attempting to resolve this, but could not. Then, at 2 a.m. last Wednesday (print night), we looked at each other, bleary-eyed and spent, and decided in haste and frustration to dash off the baseball editorial as the rest of the paper went to press.
The next morning, we realized our solution had been worse than the problem. We crossed the line from careful consideration to shameful smear, and should not have. That's why we published, within 24 hours, an apology on The Collegian's Web site. It's why we are publishing this note and your angered responses from last week on today's opinions page.
The Collegian has worked hard this year at transparency with you, our readers, and have explained our failures after making them. Our editorials should reflect the same kind of consideration and care with which we approach the rest of the paper.
Last week, we were wrong. Please rest assured: We have learned our lesson and will work to rebuild your trust.
Sincerely,
The Collegian's Editorial Board
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Dio Genes
posted 4/10/09 @ 12:49 PM EST
How do you feel about the terrorist response to the criticism of the baseball team? Can we assume that the criminals will be sought and brought to justice? Or will this be swept under the rug to prevent and loss of donations?
Skylar Walker
posted 4/11/09 @ 2:10 PM EST
Here's what you should have done instead:
You should have waited a week for the next issue and in THAT editorial said, "okay, so we messed up. We went about this the wrong way. (Continued…)
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