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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 23, 1984)
opinion 'Who will watch the press?' A fraternity member first posed the question a few weeks ago. Over pot roast and mashed potatoes and following a discourse on the press' role as a watchdog of the govern ment, he asked me, ever so earnestly, "Who will watch the press?" editor's note debbie howlett It was a good question; a question many people have been asking for some time now, and it stretches far beyond the realm of the University. But the University provides a de cent point of reference for the answer to our frat brother's query. The key to any responsible press, in this and any com munity, is a press that isn't responsible to any one. While that sentiment may read like Winston Smith's least favorite newspeak, it is a goal for which the press should always aim. By looking at the journals drawing an audience from the the University community, it is a relatively simple task to un cover what each journal is hoping to accomplish, because most of the time that goal is admitted. For instance Off the Record is in the business of publicizing ASUO events and programs — and they've stated that goal all along. What has become difficult is discerning to whom these publications feel a responsibility and an obligation. Just as difficult, and of more importance to the reader, is determin ing how far a publication has gone in upholding those obligations. In the context of the student newspaper, we at the Emerald feel our obligation and responsibility is to the stu dent. To uphold those responsibilites, the Emerald, 13 years ago, refused to accept money from the University because that money left the door open for the University to control the paper's content, up to and including the editorial stance on some key issues. The change effectively put the burden of the Emerald's financial stability upon the students and the Emerald's advertising department. Winter term we decided that the audience to which we are obligated — students — did not hold the Emerald's purse strings. We decided that student government, often the sub ject of editorial criticism, held the purse strings — often to the point of choking funds off completely. That is the ra tionale behind the referendum initiated on the spring ballot. This year, more than any other, individual students controll ed the Emerald. We are now indebted to the student population rather than student government and/or the University administra tion. We feel the Emerald is now a truly independent, stu dent publication. And rather than using this column solely as an oppor tunity to explain our actions, it should serve as an illustration of what objective student publications should try to attain: a clear representation of the total student body. But that leaves the original question unanswered. Who is going to watch the press — or in this specific instance, the Emerald? One solution put forth this year has been "alternative'' publications, the Oregon Commentator and Off the Record. Indeed, there is an amount of self-policing and peer pressure that journals should put forth, but rather than deaning-up, direct juxtapositioning of news and opinion is not necessari ly going to give the students responsible news coverage. The only real solution to keeping the integrity alive in any campus newspaper, is the individual reader. For instance, the letters to the editor section has been a free-for-all this year. Students have complete access and few restraints on what is published in the letters column. More than just a letter to the editor, the individual stu dent now has a much larger role in keeping at least this newspaper responsible. We've pushed that role upon students because we feel that is where it belongs. We hope also that students take the responsibility seriously and hold the Emerald accountable, just as they did this year. We amend that sentiment by asking students to demand the same responsibility and accountability, while retaining tolerance for minority viewpoints, from every other "student publication." It is important also that students carry their vigilance beyond academia, to the ineptly described "real world" where hucksters and con-artists will avail themselves of a free and protected press, answering only to their audience. letters Yeah, probably ...Well, I still haven't receiv ed my Freedom of Information Act (60 requests). The presi dent's probably too busy mak ing payoffs in the Debategate scandal. How much $$$ did this cover up cost? Mot Roll cameras The following is a scenario for 1984-85: (1) Pres. Ronald Reagan will be re-elected in November by a narrow majority over Mondale. (2) Before his second term is finished Reagan will be forced from office by physical in capacitation or senility at 74, whichever comes first. Note: Reagan forgot to dye his hair after his recent swim in Hawaii — a sure sign of memory lapse. (3) Vice-pres. George Bush will assume the office, but possibly not the title — sentimentality for ''the Chief" — and will try to carry on with an indifferent Reagan cabinet. (4) Bush will then attempt to push through Reagan's defense budget, the MX, covert aid, laws on abortion, etc...., but will fail to garner the support in Con gress with "Communicator" and Senate strong man and ally, Howard Baker on permanent leave. (5) The MX won't be funded, defense spending will be reduc ed by a democratic majority in both houses, and Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil, will get madly drunk on the floor of the House in triumph over Reagan before being severely beaten to retire ment by a handful of fanatic Republicans. (6) Meanwhile an observant Moscow will watch intently the pathetic figure of Nancy Reagan pleading to White House reporters for Ronnie to have his job back, while Reagan, by then completely whiteheaded, push ed by in a wheelchair waving the flag, will accidently drop his favorite Max Brand western. As the cameras close in all Supreme Soviet members over 70 will suddenly die laughing, and Reagan will be wheeled away yelling "I'm in charge here. I am in charge, dammit. I. . . heh, where's my book?" (7) 53-year-old Borbachev will become the new First Secretary and Russia will wear Levis at last. Conservative Washington will recede to Detroit in disgust, and Bush will ultimately be forc ed to think on his own. (8) The N-freeze will become reality, and the population of the U.S. and Russia will amaz ingly double 9 months later in celebration, and China will secretly land a panda on Mars. But then Mondale could win.... Michael Wolf Tokenism I am a lover of history and I have a somewhat unusual hob by. I collect old tokens used by stores, barber shops, lumber companies, saloons, forts, and other businesses years ago. The tokens were "good for" $1, 50 cents, 25 cents, M'A cents or such in trade or merchandise or "good for" a loaf of bread, one drink, one shave, one ride or whatever. They were usually made of metal, and while having the general appearance of a coin, they were made in all shapes and sizes with some pic turing elephants, cows, birds and buildings. I have reason to believe that some of these tokens were used in your area and I would be most interested in obtaining some of them for my collection. I know that this request is relatively unimportant but I do get a great deal of enjoyment from my hobby and I do believe that these concrete reminders of our great heritage are worth preserving. I would like to hear from anyone having one or more of these tokens or from anyone that might be able to help me. Any help that you can give me of any kind is greatly ap preciated. I now live in Texas and my address is Travis Roberts, Box 1168, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Thank you in advance and best wishes. Travis Roberts Fact not fiction Sean Axemaker, reviewing "When the Mountains Trem ble," acknowledges that the producers of the film have something to say. But the review says little about the message and the context of the film ex cept that it is "an uneasy mix of fiction, docu-drama and documentary." Axemaker con tends that the film "presents very little factual information" and implies that the young Cuatamalan narrator and her story are ficticious. It should be pointed out that Rigaberto Men chu is a real person and her story, as presented in the film, is factual. We could only hope, as we witnessed the torture, op pression, and genocide of a people, that what we were see ing was hyperbole. Sadly, it was not and is not. Perhaps the film was "geared to elicit an emotional response." Or perhaps its pur pose was to elicit compassion towards people in a situation which continues because of detached and dispassionate politics made possible by our votes, tax dollars, and apathy. Galen Martin Oregon daily emerald The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Fri day e«cept during e»am week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co at the University of Oregon Euaene OR 97403 The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor ot the Erb Memorial Union and is a member ot the Associated Press General Staff Advertising Manager Susan Thelen Ad Sales Rachel Bellamy Cindi Blagg Laura Buckley Julie Bulnce David Kosse Jo Meeks Roberta Oliver Richard Skeen Production Laurie Becharas Sharia Cassidy Michael Clapp Kelly Cornyn Kathy Gallagher Carrie Greaves C Hanson Christy Homing LeeAnn Lovgren Lauri Neely Kelly Neff Mark Pynes Michele Ross Margaret Sotomka Debbie Stoit, Tim Swill inger Colleen Tremaine Hank Trotler Kathy York Classified Advertising Production Managei Controller Larry Swanson Victoria Koch Jean Ownbey Editor Managing Editor News Editor Assistant News Editor Editorial Page Editoi Plioto Editor Sports Editor Sidelines Editor Entertainment Editor Assistant Entertainment Editoi Night Editor Debbie Howlett Sandy Johnstone Frank Shaw Brenda Thornton Cort Fernald Michael Clapp Doug Levy John Healy Anqela Allen Morgan Kim Carlson Cort Fernald Associate Editors Higher Education Departments and Schools Student Government Features Politics Community Reporters: Costas Christ Diana Elliott Stemhauer David Slone Steve Turcotte News and Editorial Display Advertising and Business Classified Advertising Production Circulation Doug Nash Melissa Martin Jim Moore Julie Shippen Brooks Dareff Michael Doke Paul Ertell Brent Paz Lon Lois Yoshishige 686-0511 686-3712 686-4343 686 4381 686 5511