Spring Break
Risky business in Wisconsin
The Daily Barometer Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Forum
Imagine you are an OSU student - it's not too hard for most of you. Now, Imagine you've been hired by The Daily Barometer and you've been given your first assignment. You are going to be covering a Beaver football game. You prep your notebook, make sure the photographer is on his way and make your way to the press box at Reser Stadium.
You are surrounded by veteran sports reporters, including John Canzano.
The game goes as expected. Things are great. Your editor loves your story. Pretend that the managing editor of the paper writes an editorial (which would appear in this column, on this page of the Barometer), which is stingingly critical of the behavior of three Beaver ballers (football players, that is).
Well, something similar to this happened to the Royal Purple, the campus newspaper at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
According to The Royal Purple, after managing editor Michael Daly wrote that editorial, football coach Lance Liepold said, "This is [expletive deleted] bulls---. It's going to be a bitch to try to cover football next season."
Liepold said specifically that anyone affiliated with the student-run newspaper would not be allowed to contact anyone from the football team. Liepold essentially banned the Royal Purple from covering UW-Whitewater football, no matter the venue. They may as well cover the Packers.
After a few rough moments, Liepold was pressured into a apology. This two-time national coach of the year said he would cooperate with the paper in the future.
The university's athletic director said Liepold's behavior was unacceptable.
While President Barack Obama is pushing the limits of openness and transparency for reporters and the public, a coach at a state university is shutting the doors.
The situation indicates a scary balance of power for journalism everywhere. Sports make good news, but power is constantly held in the hands of athletics officials.
Although we at the Barometer have never faced the UW-Whitewater-level of shut out, we have faced tough times in securing the photos and interviews that we want to bring you, the reader.
This state-owned university (a.k.a. government institution) hired an official who was willing to shut out members of the press - the supposed watchdog of government. Arguably, the students at UW-Whitewater running the paper are also part of that institution, but that situation sounds a little too familiar.
Anyone remember the no photos of caskets rule?
Our government cannot shut us out, be it football or funerals.
The Daily Barometer applauds the fight of the Royal Purple. As citizens and journalists of all types, we can work together for transparency.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
You are surrounded by veteran sports reporters, including John Canzano.
The game goes as expected. Things are great. Your editor loves your story. Pretend that the managing editor of the paper writes an editorial (which would appear in this column, on this page of the Barometer), which is stingingly critical of the behavior of three Beaver ballers (football players, that is).
Well, something similar to this happened to the Royal Purple, the campus newspaper at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
According to The Royal Purple, after managing editor Michael Daly wrote that editorial, football coach Lance Liepold said, "This is [expletive deleted] bulls---. It's going to be a bitch to try to cover football next season."
Liepold said specifically that anyone affiliated with the student-run newspaper would not be allowed to contact anyone from the football team. Liepold essentially banned the Royal Purple from covering UW-Whitewater football, no matter the venue. They may as well cover the Packers.
After a few rough moments, Liepold was pressured into a apology. This two-time national coach of the year said he would cooperate with the paper in the future.
The university's athletic director said Liepold's behavior was unacceptable.
While President Barack Obama is pushing the limits of openness and transparency for reporters and the public, a coach at a state university is shutting the doors.
The situation indicates a scary balance of power for journalism everywhere. Sports make good news, but power is constantly held in the hands of athletics officials.
Although we at the Barometer have never faced the UW-Whitewater-level of shut out, we have faced tough times in securing the photos and interviews that we want to bring you, the reader.
This state-owned university (a.k.a. government institution) hired an official who was willing to shut out members of the press - the supposed watchdog of government. Arguably, the students at UW-Whitewater running the paper are also part of that institution, but that situation sounds a little too familiar.
Anyone remember the no photos of caskets rule?
Our government cannot shut us out, be it football or funerals.
The Daily Barometer applauds the fight of the Royal Purple. As citizens and journalists of all types, we can work together for transparency.
Editorials serve as a means for Barometer editors to offer commentary and opinions on issues both global and local, grand in scale or diminutive. The views expressed here are a reflection of the editorial board's majority.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Michael Daly
posted 4/24/09 @ 7:36 AM PST
The real issue here is that our athletic department, and I'll make a leap and say this occurs in many other places across the country, feels as though the campus newspaper is a public relations extension of the administration. (Continued…)
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