SENIOR STANDING: Publication endures despite controversy
Gregory Brand Jr.
Senior Editor
Issue date: 3/2/09 Section: Forum
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As many of you have noticed, the publication has not arrived as a weekly campus staple, bringing both news and entertainment to the yard; however, we were forced to revert to a system was used in the past.
The paper has come to you a schedule that closely resembles one every two weeks, though the print dates deviate slightly throughout the semester.
However, beginning March 23, after Spring Break, our readers can expect a print product that is more reflective of a weekly edition.
While this slash in budget will hopefully rebound within the next academic term, the TSU campus needs to understand that The Meter is in no way lessening its responsibility of reporting "the highlights and lowlights" of TSU.
In covering both, a realistic portrait of the world is effectively produced and readers can ultimately benefit from the information presented.
It is also important that the campus remembers that the choice to utilize the information is in fact theirs.
Though The Meter is a publication that is pledged to the writing of factual and balanced news, it is markedly different from the typical newspaper.
The Meter also happens to be saddled with the responsibility of being TSU's, "Measure of Student Opinion and Sentiment."
This means the paper also has the duty of covering topics and issues that students find interesting and informative.
This form of dual consciousness is the driving component behind the students that work on the award-winning publication.
Interestingly enough, several on campus have taken offense to items that have been featured in the paper in regards to dealings with the administration, the loss of Pamela Foster as the publication advisor and problems with the topic of sex within a publication on a college campus.
One of the aforementioned topics has yet to even receive adequate coverage due to issues connected with the administration and the publication itself.
On the topic of sex and sexuality there has been an interesting set of repercussions that have been felt, and the actual issue of the paper is just now in newsstands,this commentary is in it.
Some administrators, professors and students have taken offense to some of, if not all of the themes approached in the annual issue.
Some staffers have even been confronted in regards to the information and topics leading up to the anniversary issue.
While feedback is appreciated and needed, there is no need for personal attacks to be issued in response to an article or editorial that contains unpopular subjects.
The fact that such an outcry occurring is especially interesting considering this is the ninth time this special issue of the paper is being printed for the consumption and information of the "students" it serves.
This publication stands on a promise of giving the news the campus will benefit from and while it will never fill its pages with pornographic images or indecent content, stories, features and information about love, sex and sexuality will be covered.
TSU has more than 8,000 students of various backgrounds but all have one thing in common amid everything else.
Once a year, The Meter aims to dedicate special coverage to one of the world's universally common topics.
It is not only the right of the paper to publish content but it is also the right of the student body and community to receive it.
The Constitution plainly states a decree for the freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. While the elements must be factual, there is an undeniable right for them to be said.
Remember, it is not always the most popular or positive speech that needs protecting, it is often the words that raise eyebrows and turn heads that need the protection of the law.
Attempting to control content is censorship and in censoring the publication, an ugly injustice is performed.
While the Constitution may point away from such things, it is also silly; especially since one could simply choose not to consume the information.
All members of TSU's campus, be it students professors, administrators and staff, should understand that this publication aims to give them strong coverage of the issues that directly effect them, the world around them and share educated observations for the benefit of them.
No where is it mentioned that The Meter will bow to censorship, directly or indirectly.•
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