I’ve been working on so many Web projects lately that my writing muscle is starting to atrophy. Sadly, this is one of the few places I have left to write more than 140 characters at a time. I want to blog more, but a couple of issues have slowed me down. For one, it’s difficult [...]
Continue reading about Projects in the works: Exercising my under-used writing muscle
I’ve had little bursts of holiday cheer this season, but my merriness diminishes when I let myself think too much about the problems facing my industry. This little skit, brought to my attention by coworker Victoria Cumbow, made me smile. Cheesy? Very much so. But as MinnPost.com writer David Brauer said, “… it’s the Christmas [...]
Continue reading about You’re right, Pioneer Press — It is a wonderful job
While it’s a nice little attempt to justify The Auburn Plainsman’s editorial last week, the editor’s column today doesn’t quite do it. Yes, it reads beautifully and highlights the agonizing state of The Plainsman’s finances. But it ignores the most important point of all:
General Manager Jan Waters turned in her retirement paperwork in December 2008. In other words, she has been planning to retire long before this low blow dealt by the editorial board.
If the staff members had taken their concerns directly to the source (i.e. the general manager), then I’m sure they would have known this. Or, better yet, they could have talked to her immediate supervisor, Dean of Students Johnny Green, before printing this editorial. One last plea for change could have prevented this entire mess.
I stand by what I’ve said all along: This editorial was unacceptable. If the editor and her staff had communicated like adults, this editorial would have never been written. The long column today is nothing more than hot air; a pathetic attempt to justify the unnecessary crucifixion of a woman who didn’t deserve it. I can’t stand the thought of the editorial board celebrating a perceived “victory” when in fact they only humiliated The Plainsman and, to some degree, the university.
Editor’s note: This post incorrectly identified one of The Birmingham News’ sources as Adviser Jennifer Wood Adams. The mistake arose from a misunderstanding in an e-mail and has been corrected as of Feb. 25. Adams said she has not spoken to Stan Diel or any other reporter about The Plainsman. Continuing reading for more.
Robert French, a public relations professor at Auburn University, wrote a blog post today about The Auburn Plainsman’s above-the-flag editorial demanding that its general manager get the boot. (For background, see my earlier post and The Plainsman’s editorial.) It’s interesting to see an opinion from someone who has no ties to The Plainsman. Most of us are [...]
Continue reading about Another take on the Plainsman’s editorial
Auburn University’s student newspaper, The Auburn Plainsman, ran a front-page editorial yesterday demanding that the university fire longtime general manager Jan Waters because of decreasing advertising revenue. The editorial board, led by Editor-in-Chief Kristin Oberholzer, claimed in the piece that it has exhausted all means of dealing with its issues in-house. Oberholzer and her staff went as [...]
Continue reading about The Auburn Plainsman’s slow demise: Who’s really to blame?
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