Pressing the issue
Journalists, readers should strive for mutual respect, sensitivity
MATT PETERSON is a
senior English and news
editorial major and a Daily
Nebraskan columnist.
The Daily Nebraskan has a prob
lem.
Like the student population it
strives to accurately and objectively
inform, this newspaper suffers from a
serious deficiency in ethnic diversity.
Aside from the meager representa
tion of a couple of reporters, die DN
staff is entirely white. Considering the
comparable makeup of the university
population, this deficiency is to be
expected.
That this lack of perspective rarely
compromises the paper’s reputation is a
credit to the competence of the staff
and an inevitable effect of a largely
homogenous perspective on campus.
Unfortunately, this deficiency is
usually only recognized and regretted
by those involved when the paper’s
credibility is challenged.
I come neither to bury the DN nor
to praise it, but to suggest the necessity
of a working relationship of mutual
respect and sensitivity between the stu
dent press and population.
The press should strive to serve the
public’s interests rather than its own, a
concept largely forgotten in the
increasingly corporate world of profes
sional journalism where the ideal has
been corrupted by elitist condescen
sion and political correctness.
Consequently, the working press is
expecting less of the so-called “igno
rant masses,” and the reading public is
becoming increasingly skeptical
toward the objectivity and sensitivity of
the press.
i ne wora sensitivity can send
chills down the spines of the heartiest
journalists, many of whom would
argue that caution castrates objectivity.
Indeed, how can news be hard-hitting
when journalists must pull their punch
es?
Instead of reporting the news sensi
tively, however, I would suggest that
reporters gather information with pru
dence. And while journalists should
never pull their punches, they should
recognize who is taking the worst beat
ing and consider why.
At the same time, the reading pub
lic should be aware of the difficulties
inherent to relaying and interpreting
the truth. If the news betrays a certain
bias, consider questioning rather than
accusing the messenger.
Perhaps an example of the altema
tive and its consequences is in order.
Seven years ago, a black NU foot
ball player stripped naked and assault
ed a woman in public. When police
arrived and arrested the man, a DN
photographer was on the scene to get
the scoop.
On the following day, the paper’s
front page boasted a photograph of this
naked and bound black man being
escorted to a police car by white offi
cers.
Many black students and staff were
outraged by the racist implications of
this photo, claiming that it reinforced
stereotypes and portrayed an obvious
allusion to slavery. The football team
demanded an official apology from the
newspaper.
But the UN s editor stood by the
picture’s publication, arguing that it
was irrefutably a representation of
objective fact.
After several reportedly hostile
public forums and a host of death
threats, this young woman saw her sup
port dwindle and eventually decided to
finish her education elsewhere.
An unfortunate lack of sensitivity
on both sides of this controversy result
ed in the polarization of campus and
the resignation of a devoted editor in
chief.
Hindsight is indeed 20/20, and
although the racist connotations of this
photo would seem obvious, I can also
imagine the excitement in the news
room as such a poignant story and
telling photo came together.
It may have been insensitive to run
the photo, but running the editor out of
town seems a bit extreme, as well.
During recent years, administrative
measures have been taken by the uni
versity and College of Journalism and
Mass Communications to prevent such
racial tension and encourage a more
welcoming environment for minority
students.
But no matter how many diversity
contracts and journalism scholarships
are offered, cross burnings, sidewalk
slurs and, indeed, wayward snowballs
make for more lasting impressions.
Even the training provided by the
journalism college, which preaches
accuracy and objectivity as guiding
principles, is little match for the latent
bias affecting every reportorial and edi
torial decision made by die newspa
per’s staff.
Indeed, all of the above measures
are little more than fingers in the
proverbial dike.
Encouraging diversity in the news
room is certainly the long-term solu
tion, but the bottom line is that die
press remains 90 percent white,
according to die National Association
of Black Journalists.
This must be an intimidating figure
for any prospective minority journalist,
and while there is an abundance of
opportunities for people of color in the
press, the fact remains that journalism
is a tough job that rarely pays well for
anyone.
Bringing diversity to the newsroom
is going to be a slow and painstaking
process, and the press and its con
sumers must decide how to get along in
the meantime. This can only happen if
a civilized discourse between the press
and the public it serves is encouraged,
whether through letters to the editor or
guest-perspective columns on the opin
ion pages.
It should not be overlooked that
working for a student newspaper is as
much an educational experience as
attending classes.
• The educational microcosm that a
student newspaper presents can pro-,
vide an opportunity for student jour
nalists to test the waters and establish
an effectual relationship with their .
reading public in preparation for the
“real world.”
This is not to question the culpabil
ity or legitimacy of the DN, the profes
sionalism of its staff or, indeed, the
reality of the world the paper is printed
in. Rather, it is the professionalism of
the very profession that has become
questionable.
It will be the responsibility of the
next wave of professional journalists to
regain the credibility that previous pro
fessionals have lost, instituting this
relationship on the grander scale and
confirming the continued viability of
the press as a provider of reliable infor
mation rather than sensationalistic
entertainment.
Cycle of life
Biking beats road rage, parking tickets as form of transportation
TODD MUNSON is a senior
broadcasting major and a
Daily Nebraskan colum
nist
Soon, the dance of the cosmos will
sashay its way towards spring. And
with all the ritual of a fine druid festi
val, bicycles around town will be awak
ened from their user-imposed hiberna
tion and return to grazing on the UNL
campus.
Oh yes, spring is in the air.
Excuse me while I step on the soap
box for a bit.
Since I was a freshman, I’ve found
myself on the bike-geek side of the
transportation spectrum and have come
to the conclusion that cars sucfc.
Allow me to explain.
When compared to driving to cam
pus, the bicycle wins hands-down.
Unless you live out near the interstate
in a human ant-farm-style apartment
complex, riding a bike to school will be
just as fast, if not faster.
A shorter commute to campus
equals more sleep. That’s a good thing.
If you don’t believe me, read on.
Thursday, I met Bossman Cliff out at
his apartment. We left at the same time
from 27* and about Old Cheney to
meet at his desk at the DN. He drove
his car, I rode my bike. I was there four
minutes sooner, and that’s without run
ning stop signs or lights and saying
“howdy” to half a dozen trail users.
Biking saves money. Sure, plunk
ing down a few hundred dollars on a
bicycle might seem like a lot But just
think of how much money four years of
parking permits costs, not to mention
parking tickets. When you factor in
essentials like gas, insurance and
upkeep, riding a bike becomes even
more practical.
More money equals more fun.
That’s a good thing.
Don’t believe me? The last repair
on my vintage Toyota cost over $200.
The last repair on my bike was three
bucks. What’s more fun, using that
$200 to fix a car or a night in Vegas
with a woman whose name is Rio and
dances in the sand ?
Riding a bike isn’t only transporta
tion; it’s exercise, unless of course
you’ve got a weight machine in your
vehicle like Sly Stallone in “Over the
Top.” On an average day, I ride about
10 miles between home, school and
work. That’s at least 50 miles a week
and way more cardiovascular exercise
that the surgeon general suggests. If
you don’t have time to go to the rec,
bike to campus. You’ll get a workout
just the same without having to deal
with hassle of the rec. Hmm. More
exercise allows more room for dough
nuts in one’s diet. Mmm. Doughnuts
are a good thing.
There’s also the tree hugging aspect
of riding a bike. The only fuel that
bikes bum is food and if a gallon of gas
were converted to calories, a bike
would get 3,000 miles a gallon. A clean
environment to live in is a good thing.
Europeans might stink up the place
with their B.O. but they’re on to some
thing with expensive gas price? and all
those bicycles.
Then there s the best reason of all.
Riding a bike is fim. Driving isn’t.
There’s a reason wiry road rage exists,
and that’s because driving sucks. What
sounds more appealing: fighting traffic
before getting to circle campus for 20
minutes in search of a parking stall or a
leisurely ride down a trail and being
able to park no more than 10 feet from
class?
If you’ve read this far, you’re now
brainwashed, so let me fill you in on a
few rules of the road.
Riding on the sidewalk downtown
is illegal. Don’t do it
Riding the wrong way down the
street is illegal. Don’t do it.
Running lights and stoplights are •
illegal. Don’t do either.
Riding at night without a light is
illegal. Don’t do it.
Riding without a helmet is legal,
but, if you know what’s best for you,
you’ll wear one all the time.
However, one must work and play
well with others.
Cyclists, motorists and pedestrians
- when the three are mixed together,
the result is a Mexican standoff better
than any that Tarantino could create.
To die average driver, bikes and
people are just a nuisance who should
kneel before the power of the all
mighty auto-mo-bile.
To those on bikes, cars are the
enemy and people using their feet are
just in the way.
Then, the pedestrians - well, they
just hate everybody.
In the spirit of Rodney King,
“Can’t we all just get along?”
I think we can.
If you drive to campus, or in gener
al for that matter, give a person on a
bike the respect they deserve. If they’re
riding in front of you, pass them in a
safe and courteous manner. Don’t honk
your horn and tell them to get on the
sidewalk. The people on those bikes
pay the same taxes you do and bikes
have the right to be on the street.
Also, when at a stop sign or cross
walk, don’t pull out into the crosswalk
or stop in front of the sign. It’s very
annoying and also illegal for you.
Cyclists, give motorists the respect
they deserve. If a car wants to pass,
give them some space and wave nice
ly as they drive by.
Also as mentioned above, don’t
run lights or stop signs. Cars can’t do
it and all it does is give the law-abid
ing cyclists a bad reputation.
If something bad happens involv
ing a car, think before you do some
thing drastic like flip off a motorist Is
it really their fault they didn’t see you
when you’re dressed in all black and ,
riding without a light? Getting pissy j
solves nothing and only leads to trou
ble.
Most importantly, DON’T speed
through campus. Speed to campus
but when you get here, slow down.
It isn’t safe or smart for that
matter to make a slalom
course with pedestrians.
This is college, not sec
ond grade. Nobody cares
how fast you can ride to
your next class. Besides,
itls hard to play “lookey
lou” riding a Mach 3. And when you do
pass people at a safe and prudent speed,
say something like “On your left” so
you don’t scare them.
Folks with the moving feet, when a
bike is coming towards you, don’t start
doing the “Bus Stop,” just keep walk
ing straight. The person on the bike
doesn’t want to hit you either and it’s a
lot easier for the bike to get out of the
way. Trust me, the bike will move.
Also, the next time you walk to
class, think about the possibility of you
and your chums walking in a quasi-sin
gle file line to make it just a bit easier
for the bikes to get around you.
If we can all act like this, at least
just a little bit, life may some day emu
late that classic show “The Get Along
Gang.”
I call dibs on being Montgomery
Moose.