Ledger

Issue date: 9/29/09 Section: Opinion

Editor In Chief, Alexis Smith

In every beginning news writing class the professor will teach AP style, how to integrate quotes and other lessons in mechanics or form. Eventually though, the professor will touch-upon the "angle" or "approach" to a story-a way to hook the readers and tie in all the information at the same time. Anyone who has ever picked up a trashy tabloid or watched a nightly celebrity gossip show has experienced the "angle" in the worst of ways.
Purposefully twisting information to gain readers or viewers is definitely a misuse of this story writing tool, and unfortunately, manipulated, but attention-grabbing headlines like "Twilight exclusive: Rob and Kristen to marry!" and "Jennifer Aniston: Pregnant at 40!" are used so often in the media we all see every day (even if we try to avoid it).
So what's my point? My point is that we're the Ledger, UWT's student newspaper, and we're not a gossip magazine. We won't and do not spin our headlines or stories to make them more interesting. It is our goal to cover campus events and other topics in the most objective way possible. We aim to produce a newspaper that both informs and entertains the students of UWT. Every issue, in every stage of production, we strive to make a paper students enjoy reading.
So maybe you won't necessarily enjoy reading this letter, but I'm at least going to take the time to give it to you straight. No angles, no spins, no special approaches. This is who we are, plain and simple. You see, oftentimes newspapers get a bad rap for spinning stories a certain way or subscribing to a certain political agenda. Here at the Ledger, we just want to give you the news in the most objective way possible. Don't think we're being objective? Not satisfied with our product? Tell us. The best way for this paper to function is with open and honest communication-on both our end and your end. Write us a letter, or better yet, join our staff to help make us better!
For those who aren't familiar with the Ledger, there are a few things you might want not know about us. For one, we have an open-door policy. That's right; anyone is welcome to stop by our weekly meetings, so stop by if you're curious. Also, we always welcome letters to the editor. Have something to say? Send it to us via e-mail, our Website or in person at our office in MAT 151. Know of something you think we should cover? There are many ways to inform us of an issue or event, however, we do not write stories by request and will not guarantee that a certain topic gets coverage. We're an independent voice for students, not a PR newsletter (although there is nothing wrong with a PR newsletter). Want to guarantee that your issue or event gets in the paper? Buy an ad! We give a 50 percent discount to UW and campus affiliated organizations.

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