The Importance of Being Earnest

This isn't about Oscar Wilde.

With Undergraduate Student Government elections coming up, I've decided that I need to address a few things.

Going to school near the place you grew up is hard. You'll inevitably meet someone you know. But, when you're a journalist at the school's paper, life can get a little bit harder, honestly.

I don't want to say that I feel like I'm being used. That's not quite it. Well, maybe a little bit. It's strange to think that someone you've known for years might be taking advantage of your relationship to advance their goals.

That's not necessarily happening to me, but I thought I'd address it.

Conflict of interest is a large part of what you write. Even if you realize it or not.

So, to novice reporters out there, take note of it.

I've always been told that the way you write -- even if all the language is objective and based on facts -- some subjectivity remains.

"The candidate is running for ______ position."

Fine. Very well and good, then.

"The candidate, who was caught cheating on his wife in December, is running for ____ position."

While both statements might be true, you might show some subjectivity by writing either statement. If you know the candidate was caught cheating on his wife and don't write it, you might be subconsciously protecting him from public scrutiny. By writing that he did, you're opening up more criticisms.

What's right? It's really hard to keep an objective point of view. I'm not saying I am masterful of it by any means at all, but, well, it's just something for everyone to keep in mind when writing news.

Good luck.

-Gin