2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Opinion
Photo a misrepresentation of events
Much like the Traveler's coverage of Bikes, Blues, and BBQ, where a white supremacist was offered as your pictorial summation of the event, it seems that truth in reporting has been trumped by what I can only guess was an attempt at garnering the attention of your potential readership.
Perhaps, as is evident upon comparison to the other photos printed on page-one, the March 10 picture of Mr. Alexander's sign was given such prominence because the photo of him was the only one that was actually in-focus.
Who knows? I hope you do.
Much like our current administration, someone has confused the war in Iraq with the events of Sept. 11.
Just remember: every time some ill-informed soul rings his bell and decries that Sept. 11 was an "inside job," (something about as well "proven" as Creationism,) a Republican gets her wings...
Certainly, Alexander had the right to stand out there, and Larry Ash had the right to take the picture. Your editorial staff had the right to publish the photo, and to give that photo such prominence.
However, as journalists, you also have a duty to accurately report the events. And I would assert that by giving such prominent space to a marginal part of the reported event, you have failed in your mission.
Does a caption under the photo in 8-point type make up for the visual misrepresentation of the event?
If I went to the Foo Fighters concert last month, and took a photo of some co-ed throwing up in a trash can, and you gave that photo prominent space on page-one, with the caption reading, "…across from her, thousands of students watched the concert," wouldn't that just be silly?
At best, this photo was worthy of a sidebar.
Larry Mitchell
MFA candidate
Drama
Watson captures crazy athletic situation
I want to say "Thank You!" to Matt Watson for making my day a little brighter. His article, "Coming soon to a theater near you: 'Arkansas, The Movie'" made me laugh.
I feel that our athletic "situation," for lack of a better word, has become somewhat crazy. I'm glad someone else finds this all humorous. I will always be an Arkansas Athletics fan and will always support the Razorbacks, but sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at all the drama that has unfolded, or continues to unfold.
Thanks, Matt, for making my day.
Samantha Sturm
Junior
Marketing Management
You can't demand respect
In response to Grant Hunt's letter on March 12, I felt I had to write back in and explain the many things wrong with his complaint against the Traveler.
Hunt begins by stating that the Traveler's coverage of recent community service by Alpha Chi Sigma made him think about how much the Traveler does not cover positive Greek activities. OK, moving on the next point then.
Hunt argues that the numerous selfless exploits of the Greek community deserve front-page recognition, but surely he realizes that, the positive activities of the Greek organizations being so numerous, the Traveler can hardly be expected to cover them all. But, with these exploits being "selflessly" done surely Hunt does not require the respect and recognition of the school paper.
Perhaps it was poor timing of the publication of Hunt's letter, but I hardly think that the activities of the Greek community trump in importance articles such as the details of the murder of a UA student and her memorial or obituary.
Hunt must also be aware, being an outstanding and intelligent representative of the Greek community, that respect cannot be demanded of anyone or anything.
But, if such recognition and respect cannot be earned in vast enough quantities to sate Hunt, then perhaps he should consider publishing his own newspaper so that the Greek community can receive the deserved recognition for their "selfless" activities.
Chad Davis
Junior
Psychology
Much like the Traveler's coverage of Bikes, Blues, and BBQ, where a white supremacist was offered as your pictorial summation of the event, it seems that truth in reporting has been trumped by what I can only guess was an attempt at garnering the attention of your potential readership.
Perhaps, as is evident upon comparison to the other photos printed on page-one, the March 10 picture of Mr. Alexander's sign was given such prominence because the photo of him was the only one that was actually in-focus.
Who knows? I hope you do.
Much like our current administration, someone has confused the war in Iraq with the events of Sept. 11.
Just remember: every time some ill-informed soul rings his bell and decries that Sept. 11 was an "inside job," (something about as well "proven" as Creationism,) a Republican gets her wings...
Certainly, Alexander had the right to stand out there, and Larry Ash had the right to take the picture. Your editorial staff had the right to publish the photo, and to give that photo such prominence.
However, as journalists, you also have a duty to accurately report the events. And I would assert that by giving such prominent space to a marginal part of the reported event, you have failed in your mission.
Does a caption under the photo in 8-point type make up for the visual misrepresentation of the event?
If I went to the Foo Fighters concert last month, and took a photo of some co-ed throwing up in a trash can, and you gave that photo prominent space on page-one, with the caption reading, "…across from her, thousands of students watched the concert," wouldn't that just be silly?
At best, this photo was worthy of a sidebar.
Larry Mitchell
MFA candidate
Drama
Watson captures crazy athletic situation
I want to say "Thank You!" to Matt Watson for making my day a little brighter. His article, "Coming soon to a theater near you: 'Arkansas, The Movie'" made me laugh.
I feel that our athletic "situation," for lack of a better word, has become somewhat crazy. I'm glad someone else finds this all humorous. I will always be an Arkansas Athletics fan and will always support the Razorbacks, but sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at all the drama that has unfolded, or continues to unfold.
Thanks, Matt, for making my day.
Samantha Sturm
Junior
Marketing Management
You can't demand respect
In response to Grant Hunt's letter on March 12, I felt I had to write back in and explain the many things wrong with his complaint against the Traveler.
Hunt begins by stating that the Traveler's coverage of recent community service by Alpha Chi Sigma made him think about how much the Traveler does not cover positive Greek activities. OK, moving on the next point then.
Hunt argues that the numerous selfless exploits of the Greek community deserve front-page recognition, but surely he realizes that, the positive activities of the Greek organizations being so numerous, the Traveler can hardly be expected to cover them all. But, with these exploits being "selflessly" done surely Hunt does not require the respect and recognition of the school paper.
Perhaps it was poor timing of the publication of Hunt's letter, but I hardly think that the activities of the Greek community trump in importance articles such as the details of the murder of a UA student and her memorial or obituary.
Hunt must also be aware, being an outstanding and intelligent representative of the Greek community, that respect cannot be demanded of anyone or anything.
But, if such recognition and respect cannot be earned in vast enough quantities to sate Hunt, then perhaps he should consider publishing his own newspaper so that the Greek community can receive the deserved recognition for their "selfless" activities.
Chad Davis
Junior
Psychology
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